Christmas Happenings

I am not letting the fact that I don't have my computer and software get in my way.  I have once again hi-jacked the boys PC to try to keep my blog current for all my favorite holiday memories:)  Grab a cup of coffee.  This is a long one!

For as long as I have known Dave, I have known the Lemon family.  Dave's family and their family were friends growing up and they lived in Libya as children.  Every December 23rd, they host a Christmas party and every December 23rd that we have lived in Texas, we have gone.  I even remember bringing Harry when he was just 2 weeks old!  So, last night we all went to the party.  It is a party that has 3 or 4 generations gathered together and it is so wonderful to see.  Here are some pics of our family as we were heading out the door....

 

 

I love Kate's little foot here:)



You might notice that Will's braces have come off.
Well, look quickly because they are going back on next week. Don't ask!

 

So glad to get one of me and Dave as it has been a long time since we had a picture together.

We all had a GREAT time at the party and stayed much later than we normally do.

Also a few days ago, my very dear friend , Jen and her kiddos stopped by on their way to Grandma's house.  We were so glad to have them.  I made a big pot of chili and we all hung out for a few hours...

 

How cute is Jen?! I adore her!!
 

 

 

The kids had a ball.  The boys wrestled with the girls, went for a bike ride to what my city kids call nature (a bayou ditch), built a little bonfire, set off fireworks, shot hoops and played ping pong and some video games!  The girls played dress up and watched Hello Kitty.  They were so cute...

 

 

They gave Kate this sweet glittery angel

 

We gave them fun Christmas bows because every little girl needs another Christmas bow, right?

 

I will say it was a little wild having 8 kids running around a few days before Christmas but I think they all had fun.

Bryce and Will were so sweet with the little girls.  Kate and Wesleigh got a lot of tickling and wrestling.  I saw a very feisty side of Kate come out with Bryce....

 

 

These crack me up!!!

 

 

Sweet hugs goodbye...

 

 

 

 

 

Earlier that day was Kate's kindergarten Christmas party.  Will was done with his final exams so he came with me.  I love that he comes to this stuff with me when he can.  Kate will only be in 3rd grade when he leaves for college so I really try to encourage a close relationship between them now.

 

 

Of course, he was hoping there would be food there.
 

 

 

 

The way to this boy's heart is definitely through his stomach!

So, Kate shared her goodies with him!

 

Also last week, we were taking Harry to the park to play with his friends and we bumped into Santa.  Kate was so excited, she ran right over to him and hopped up into his lap.  I was so thrilled to capture this on my phone.  She asks Santa if Rudolph is real.

 

 

Finally, Saturday night, we went out for our traditional Christmas pizza (and manicotti) and drove around to look at lights.  We saw Santa then too....

 

 

 

 

(from my phone)

The trees in this neighborhood are literally dripping with lights. It is so beautiful. People take horse drawn carriage rides through the neighborhood.

 

Another memory I want to cherish is how much Kate helped me with our cards this year. Dave was in Israel and France for the first half of December so things were extra hectic around here. Kate was a HUGE help tying a lot of ribbons and stuffing envelopes and putting stamps on cards. I was so grateful. She really loved doing it too.

 

Finally, one of my favorite things that we have done since Will was a baby is Christmas caroling to the elderly in our church family. We do this every year but I am not sure I have ever blogged about it. A large group of families divides up and we sing and then we all meet up for pizza and fellowship.  I think it teaches the peanuts the true meaning of Christmas.

 

 

 

I absolutely LOVE Christmas Eve!!!  It is probably my favorite night of the year. We go to Mass as a family and tonight a special friend is joining us.  Then we are going out to a nice dinner and home for our traditions.  I hope you all have special times with the ones you love.  Be loving and compassionate to each other.  That is what Christ wants for us. And I know I need to remind myself often:)

 

P.S.Several people have e-mailed me asking about Kate's dress from the Teddy Bear Tea and our Christmas Card.  Those dresses and the two dresses in this post all came from Zulily.