all things CHRISTmas

We had a fabulous holiday season, despite getting the flu for 1 1/2 weeks. I always feel such a sense of accomplishment after I get our Christmas card made, printed and sent out.
Front of card:

Back of card:

Just like past years, we did our Christmas advent activity countdown.  The kids were always thrilled to find out what activity would be a part of that day.

We were happy to be a part of the Zylowski's annual Reindeer Party again this year.  Good times!

With slight reluctance, I brought Eddie back again this year.  He came a little late into the season, but after last years experience, I figured 5 days was plenty of time for him to stay.  The kids were actually happy to see him and we didn't have any reports of Eddie trying to "get" any of the kids.

We had a great personal visit with Santa, which actually had my unbeliever (Mac), a believer again.  

This was an especially fun Christmas with Beck.  Everything was so exciting to our 5 year old guy.  He helped out a lot with the decorating and by Christmas Eve, Beck had arranged all the ornaments on the tree to be next to a "buddy" so that no ornament was lonely on Christmas.

Beck and Jilli also spent hours arranging and rearranging all of the nativity scenes around the house.  On this particular day, upside down was the look they were going for.

This is Beck and Jilli just before their preschool Christmas program.  Jilli was cute as a button up on the stage, but never opened her mouth to sing a single song.  Beck on the other hand, was just as cute and sang his little heart out.

The same night as Beck and Jilli's program, Mac had his 3rd grade holiday program.  Nate and Jax attended his program, while I attended the preschool program.  Divide and conquer and thank heavens for video cameras.

The kids ready for church on Christmas Sunday.  Such lookers they are!

Christmas Eve brought some last minute shopping and running around and then we had our first annual "Mary and Joseph" dinner.  It was as wonderful as I had imagined and the clean-up was even better!

Gift exchange with brothers/sister.  I especially love the enthusiasm on Mac, Jilli and Beckam's faces.  Jaxton's was more of a plastered on "this isn't exactly what I was hoping for" smile.

On Christmas morning before heading downstairs to the gifts, we met in our room and each decided on a gift that we would give to Jesus this year.  Each of the kids were very thoughtful about their gifts and then we put them in a gift box and wrapped it up for Jesus.  We'll take a look at our gifts next year and see how we did.

And then it was game time.

Jilli made it til about 10:00am and then zonked out.  Christmas is hard on 3 year olds.

For Christmas dinner we headed out for our 5th annual Chinese dinner.  We had a great time and the food didn't disappoint.

Merry Christmas to all! We are so thankful for the Savior, His birth, His life, His death and to know that He lives.

SUPER. SEVEN.

Basically, Jaxton is 7 years of complete joy wrapped up in one little body. His smile knows its way straight to my heart and when he giggles, he holds my heart in his hands. I love me some Jaxton James!

After waking up and gift opening, it was off to school with birthday cookies in hand to enjoy the day with good friends and good teachers.

Jaxton's a sucker for strawberry shakes, so I couldn't disappoint on his birthday.

After dinner out with the family and then shopping with dad, Jaxton came home to cobbler and ice cream, which we actually ate the next day since everyone was still full from dinner.

I love this boy, I always will.  So happy he's mine!

So Very Blessed . . .

November began with a visit from our dear ole' friend, Thankful the Turkey. The kids were full of ideas of what they were thankful for and happily filled their feather with all their blessings. I do have to say that the kids are genuinely just "thankful kids." None of them have ever gone through an "entitlement" stage and how grateful I am for that (I should add that to my thankful feather and then knock on wood).

How lucky we are to have Nate's sister only 7 1/2 hours away in OH.  We love having family "close" and look forward to our visits with them.  Last year they came our way for Thanksgiving, so they generously offered to host us this year.

I know this post is late and even though we are already knee-deep in Christmas festivities, how grateful I am for all that I have, especially my husband, my four sweet children, our health, home, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Truly so very blessed!

Fall Soccer 2012

Soccer came to an official end about a week and a half ago. All three boys had great seasons and did very well.

MAC
Team: United

(Such a little stud!)

Mac is such a fierce competitor.  There is nothing but full gear for that child and he gives it his best every game.  I love the intensity on his face and his love for the game.  He's a hustler and a great asset to his team.

BECK
Team: Eagles

Beck's still at the age where most the kids just chase the ball down.  Beckam, on the other hand, puts a lot of thought into his efforts and will patiently wait for the ball to come to him. :) I also loved to see a true love for soccer come out in Beck.  He'd often take the ball outside and kick it against the fence and happily come in to report that he had kicked it 100 times.

(Just happy to be out there!)

JAX

Team: Kickin' Kubs

(Roughest, toughest player on the field!)

I think Jaxton is meant to be a football player because he loves contact sports.  There's nothing that will stop that kid from getting the ball.  Kids will be falling on the ground all around him and yet there he remains, big smile on his face and all.  His coach's final comments about Jaxton at the awards ceremony were, "You could put 20 kids in front of Jaxton and it wouldn't matter -- he'd still get through them!"

Jilli was a trooper through, what seemed like, a steady stream of soccer practices and games for three months straight.  According to her, she can't wait til she grows up so that she can play soccer too.  Can't blame her for wanting in on the action too!

The most anticipated sport of all, for my kids, is up next -- basketball.  Bring it on!