Christmas Card Tradition

It's no secret that I love traditions. It's a special part of family life to create memories that are both meaningful and silly. For instance, on Sundays our kids love popcorn night after night church. We take down the Whirly Pop and love hearing the kernels ping against the pot as they pop. We usually do this dancing to some fun music. Another: every night our family sings a hymn together.

A few years ago I read the book Treasuring God in Our Traditions by Noel Piper. It brought out the point that in our traditions, we want to point to Christ. There are great practical ideas in this book on how to make that work. Here's a Christmas tradition we do...we pray for each family as we receive their Christmas card. I'm sure many of you do this. It's a simple one...we just set the Christmas cards aside, then before bed or at dinner we pray for each family.

For some reason this year the Christmas cards on the fridge have gotten out of control! I have to get one of those Christmas card decorative holders. Do you have a good way to display the cards? I'd also love to hear your favorite Christmas family tradition too!

Do You Ever Feel Like You're Missing the Meaning of this Season?

Christmas is only 10 days away! We are in the thick of it, and I don't know about you, but sometimes this time of year seems so distracting to my walk with the Lord. There's baking, shopping, wrapping, traveling, parties, crafts, concerts, and all the rest. I found this post at Desiring God that has helped me think through this season. I highly suggest you take a few minutes to stop and read it. In short- worship God and be joyful in Him as you "do" all the things on your list!

Beach and Snow in One Day...

Yes, this is Cali in December :) Jesse took the morning off and we made a quick run to the beach. Maddie has been asking to go for weeks now!

Savannah loves the sand.

She ate her fair share :)

Madison loved digging, making sandcastles, and running from the waves.

My cuties.

Brrr

After a trip to Costco and naps we went to the Wimer family ranch for the Crossroads Christmas Party...

Photo op in the vintage sleigh. Crossroads didn't hold back- there was a whole lot of snow on one yard, hot drink stands, cookie tables, gingerbread house decorating, and even a tacky Christmas sweater contest.

The little girls loved listening to Enfield sing Christmas songs. By the way, their newest album

(God of God) is our favorite Christmas music and we've been listening to it nonstop.

Joyce and Savvy.

Mads was soaking wet and freezing by 10pm. She just loved playing in the snow!!

All bundled up!

All in all, we had a wonderful day from the beach, to snow!

Homemade Christmas Gift Idea...

I love this cute Peppermint Stick Cocoa jar! I made a few of these yesterday for little gifts as we go to Christmas parties :) Here's the link for directions if you want to make them too! I got this idea off of Pinterest.

And here's my adorable little princess on her way to a fun birthday party. I had to include this! :)

Savannah's First Birthday Party

We had a few friends over to celebrate Savannah's first birthday last week. Here's some photos...

"Happy birthday to you..."

I put out a hot chocolate bar.

Some of the toppings...peanut butter, salt, caramel, marshmallows, chocolate chips, peppermint, and

whipping cream!

My birthday girl!

Playtime!

Dessert table!

We had clear bags so people could take candy home.

Here's her birthday banner.

Cupcake time!

This little one loves chocolate icing (more than the cupcake).

Karina enjoying her hot chocolate!

Merilly getting her girls some candy for the road.

Hannah and Joyce talking with the girls!

Mmmmm....

I learned how make homemade icing and decorate cupcakes...super easy. I don't know why this was my first time doing this!

We had a great time just visiting with family and friends.

Thanks Rachel for taking these great photos!!

Truth in the Tinsel

I love my first Christmas present! My sweet friend just sent me Truth in the Tinsel, which is an advent book for our family to do together. Each day leading up to Christmas has a verse, discussion ideas, and a craft that focuses on a particular part of the Christmas story. Madison and I just read Isaiah 9:2-7. We talked about how the world was dark, like inside your heart dark, before Jesus was born. Then the LIGHT of the world came. This made for great conversation- about how we need a Savior to forgive us from our sins. I think Madison's favorite part was opening the little window and finding a tiny chocolate from the Trader Joe's advent countdown calendar I bought :) I look forward to more fun talks as we focus on Christ's birth this season!

On to other Christmas things...here's a banner I made the other day. So easy to make!

Johnson Visit!

We just had a lovely time with Jim and Gale. They drove in from Albuquerque to visit and be here for Savannah's birthday party (pictures coming soon :).

GiGi had fun playing with Savannah, giving the girls baths, helping me get ready for the party, and shopping with me! Savannah and Maddie love the puppets they brought.

Grandpa gave lots of hugs to Savannah, drew chalk pictures with Maddie in the backyard, went on neighborhood walks, and played at the park.

We had a wonderful time with you! Thank you for coming!!

Birthdays and Holidays

We just had some fun-filled days! Grandma and Grandpa drove here from CO, we celebrated Savannah's first birthday, and had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Anna Sanders not only cooked a delicious Thanksgiving meal, but also made time to play with Maddie :)

Some of the men chatting after dinner.

Grandma and Savannah went up and down the stairs all evening :)

We were so happy to celebrate Thanksgiving with Deb and Robert!

Savannah turned one this week as well. She loves her foam mat from Mimi and Papa!

The airplane from Grandma and Grandpa made Savannah clap!

She kissed and hugged the baby from Madison.

And she enjoyed the personalized book from Mommy and Daddy.

She was fascinated by the balloons!

Papa got right down on the floor to play!

Can you guess one of Savannah's favorite meals? Salmon!!