Well, Christmas came and went very quickly this year. It was a great Christmas and we enjoyed every moment of it...ok, most every moment! It went so quickly that I didn't even have time to post about all the things we did. I finally did that today, so there are 13 (yes, 13) new posts about our Christmas activities! They don't even all fit on one page of this blog- you have to go to older posts to see them all. I also discovered that I can just do a shutterfly slideshow of the pictures- it's much quicker and there are so many more pictures to see. Although, you can't see the description of the albums (at least not that I've seen). Oh well, you get plenty of pictures to sort through!
The pictures don't really show the complete story of our Christmas journey this year, so I'll give you a few of the details! Andrew got the stomach virus the Sunday before Christmas at church. We spent the day decorating for our evening Candlelight and Carols Dinner until about 3:00. We went home the kids took naps and got ready to go back at 6:00. Andrew was just grumpy and we thought that was because his nap was cut short. He complained enough that we just ate and left (one of us was really grumpy about having to leave early...but I'm not naming names! Ha!). We didn't even make it out of the parking lot before he got sick all.over.the.car! The next two days were quite relaxing with him laid up on the couch. Wednesday we left for Conway and the ride was good until about Russellville when Madelyn woke up screaming. I gave her my phone to tide her over and then she threw up all.over.my.phone. We arrived in Conway with M in only a diaper and a sweater and a towel as the carseat cover. And, incidently, vomit and cell phones do not mix. So, I will have a new cell phone soon! Madelyn was doing alright after that, but on Friday, she started feeling bad again and was running fever and had a cough and runny nose. This carried over through Christmas Day, but I did notice a new little tooth on the bottom right side of her mouth! I'm thinking that could be partly the cause.
We got home on Sunday with what we were able to haul back- Grandad will be making a trip up this weekend to bring the rest! We've gotten everything taken down and put in the attic. I've organized closets and toys and storage bins with new things. I've also listened to about 85 tantrums and mopped the floor about 12 times. Andrew asked me today when he GETS to go back to school! We had a great Christmas with our family and enjoyed Jason having a week off to play with the kids. I can't believe that time has gone so quickly, but next year will be here before we know it!
All Aboard!
We went on the Christmas train ride from Springdale to Fayetteville one evening with about 200 people from our church! I was a little nervous, because Andrew was recovering from the stomach virus and I really didn't want him to get sick on the train! He perked up early in the afternoon and ate his dinner and was ready to go! The kids were supposed to wear their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animal. Andrew brought his guinea pig! I wore my pajamas too, because I wanted to be comfortable! Thank goodness I did, because this was a three hour train ride. I ended up walking back and forth with Madelyn, who started getting really sleepy around 8:00. I felt like I was on an airplane, but thankfully, I knew everyone on the train and they took turns entertaining her! Santa came for a visit a couple of different times and Andrew really enjoyed seeing him. He also liked the conductor. Jason and I decided that we were going to forego the train ride next year, but as we got in the car Andrew said, "That was a very good train!" So, we decided that we'd do it again...but, we're bringing lots of snacks!
More Christmas Parties!
We had our Caravan Christmas party at church for all the kids. It was a lot of fun! Madelyn wasn't feeling too great that day. She had a little virus, so she was pretty clingy to me that night. She did enjoy a visit with Santa! Andrew had a great time eating yummy snacks, making a Christmas craft, visiting with Santa, and shopping at the Caravan store!
Christmas Card Picture Take Three!
Another attempt for our Christmas card...I don't think I posted the picture that actually made the card! A special thanks to our youth pastor and his wife for being sooo patient with us! During the picture taking, they were taking down the decorations from the children's Christmas program that morning. The fire alarm went off three times while we were in there! What a project that was!
Christmas Caroling
Our Caravan group (it's a Christian scouting program in the Nazarene chruch) went Christmas caroling at a local nursing home. I teach Andrew's class so I was going anyway, but Jason and Madelyn decided to join us too! We had a great time singing and visiting with the people that are living there. It was a very nice place and everyone was so friendly. We had a great time singing Christmas carols and passing out cards and candy canes.
Madelyn enjoyed ringing the bells! Yes, she is standing by herself. This was short lived, she was really proud for a while, but has decided that she doesn't really want to stand up without holding on to anything anymore.
Andrew was a little shy at first.
Then he entered into a full meltdown on the floor.
He got over it and joined us for the rest of the singing! It was a fun time!
Madelyn enjoyed ringing the bells! Yes, she is standing by herself. This was short lived, she was really proud for a while, but has decided that she doesn't really want to stand up without holding on to anything anymore.
Andrew was a little shy at first.
Then he entered into a full meltdown on the floor.
He got over it and joined us for the rest of the singing! It was a fun time!A Cold Night for a Long Parade!
Jason really wanted to take the kids to our local Christmas parade. It was on a Monday night and it was FREEZING! We bundled the kids up and headed downtown. I assumed it would be a fairly short parade, but I was wrong! It was a long parade...apparently, the longest in the state! Andrew enjoyed the candy and the floats. He was excited to see Santa, but did not like the Grunch (aka The Grinch). It ended up being a fun time, but I'm still glad that the preschool didn't do a float...it's just too cold!
Christmas Card Photo Take One....Take Two!
I attempted to get Christmas card pictures taken the Monday after Thanksgiving at church. It was all decorated for for Christmas in red, green, and white. The kids outfits matched perfectly, so I thought this would just be so easy! Wrong! It was not easy at all. You would think these kids had never seen a Christmas tree or ornaments or lights or people (ok, Madelyn we'll give her the benefit of the doubt...she was only 8 weeks last Christmas!). I finally just got fed up and quit...but now that I'm looking at these they're so cute!
We decided to try again at home. I promised Andrew ice-cream and got some good shots of him! But, distraction caught them once again!
Next year I won't be so picky!
We decided to try again at home. I promised Andrew ice-cream and got some good shots of him! But, distraction caught them once again!
Same picture...can't delete!
Next year I won't be so picky!Merry Christmas from our home to yours!
This year, I was asked to be on our church's home tour. The women's ministry puts this on and the ladies from the church visit three homes and at the last house there is an ornament exchange and lots of good food! I was the second house and here is the tour!
When you walk into the house, you see my Christmas card tree. This is one of my favorite things. I love hanging the picture cards on it so I can look at them every day. I also love how it gets completely full before Christmas!
The living room has several different decorations. In my china cabinet, I put my All Through the House village. I started collecting this in middle school and they retired it fairly quickly, but I accumulated several pieces. I love how unique they are! Andrew has enjoyed looking at them too.
These are a few of my mom's snow village pieces. I like how they look on top of the china cabinet.
This is our tree! I have my Old World ornaments that I collect at the top and then just random ornaments that we like around the rest of the tree.
This is our mantle. I just did a garland and stockings this year. I wanted to keep it simple! On the hearth, I put the kid's Christmas books and nativity they can play with. I wanted to have plenty of Christmas things that they could touch too. Andrew has had lots of questions about all the decorations, so I was glad to have things he can play with.
Another view of the living room. You can see our new floors! I really enjoy them!
The kids have a Fisher Price nativity too. Andrew has learned who everyone is and what their significance is. He likes to tell the story of baby Jesus.
This is the other nativity. I love having it near the kids, because Andrew will move his pieces to find their "match" in this one. I also like how their clothes tell the story of Jesus' birth. Mary and Joseph's clothes have them traveling to Bethelehem, the wise men have different parts of their journey on each one, and the shephard shows the angel appearing in the field.
This is the dining room. 
A close up of the place setting. Each one is so unique!
In the kitchen I have the pottery that Andrew painted the last two years. I didn't get it done this year, because the place we always went to closed. I'm going to have to find somewhere new to do it now. I'm kind of disappointed not to have it done for this year!
The view into the living room from the kitchen. I have Madelyn's plate from last year out too. That was last year's Christmas picture of the kids. It is a favorite of mine, because Madelyn is screaming and Andrew's eyes are so big!
My kitchen table has actually remained set for the majority of December! We do move the dishes to eat, but I enjoy having them out. These are actually borrowed from my mom...I promise I will give them back!
More of the table. My vase just has a ton of Christmas balls in it...thank you Wal-Mart for creating shatterproof ornaments!
A close up of the dishes! They are so cute! I don't think they would look as nice on a brown table...just something for my mom to think about!
I was so excited to put a tree in each of the kid's rooms this year! I got the last pink tree at Wal-Mart and I think it looks so cute in Madelyn's room!
Andrew saw this tinsel tree and said this was the one that he wanted in his room. I kind of hesitated in buying it, but I have loved looking at this little tree! It has Razorback ornaments on it. Andrew has moved it all over his room to try and find the perfect spot, but it ended up back where it started!
I added a few little Christmasy touches to the laundry room. Our stairs are in the laundry room, so everyone had to pass through!
This isn't a Christmas decoration, but I recently moved most of our pictures into the stairway and I love it! It's like my own little family photo gallery.
More of my gallery and my newly floored stairs!
This is the kid's tree in their playroom. It can be seen out the window at night too. I found the snowflake garland in the Land of Nod catalogue and it adds a fun touch! All the gifts are just decoration boxes that I wrapped. Andrew thinks they are all his presents. I will let him unwrap them, but I think he may be disappointed!
The view from the upstairs balcany looking into the living room.
I hope you enjoyed the tour! Merry Christmas from our home to yours!
When you arrive at our house, this is our front door. I love this door! This was my first time to make a Christmas wreath and I was pleased with how it turned out.
When you walk into the house, you see my Christmas card tree. This is one of my favorite things. I love hanging the picture cards on it so I can look at them every day. I also love how it gets completely full before Christmas!
The living room has several different decorations. In my china cabinet, I put my All Through the House village. I started collecting this in middle school and they retired it fairly quickly, but I accumulated several pieces. I love how unique they are! Andrew has enjoyed looking at them too.
These are a few of my mom's snow village pieces. I like how they look on top of the china cabinet.
This is our tree! I have my Old World ornaments that I collect at the top and then just random ornaments that we like around the rest of the tree.
This is our mantle. I just did a garland and stockings this year. I wanted to keep it simple! On the hearth, I put the kid's Christmas books and nativity they can play with. I wanted to have plenty of Christmas things that they could touch too. Andrew has had lots of questions about all the decorations, so I was glad to have things he can play with.
Another view of the living room. You can see our new floors! I really enjoy them!
The kids have a Fisher Price nativity too. Andrew has learned who everyone is and what their significance is. He likes to tell the story of baby Jesus.
This is the other nativity. I love having it near the kids, because Andrew will move his pieces to find their "match" in this one. I also like how their clothes tell the story of Jesus' birth. Mary and Joseph's clothes have them traveling to Bethelehem, the wise men have different parts of their journey on each one, and the shephard shows the angel appearing in the field.
This is the dining room. I have my Santa collection on the buffet. Several of them came from my grandparent's travels and they would bring me interesting ones to add to the collection.
I love having my dining table set all the time! I have my reindeer dishes out this year. I have no idea why my writing is underlined and in blue!
A close up of the place setting. Each one is so unique!
In the kitchen I have the pottery that Andrew painted the last two years. I didn't get it done this year, because the place we always went to closed. I'm going to have to find somewhere new to do it now. I'm kind of disappointed not to have it done for this year!
The view into the living room from the kitchen. I have Madelyn's plate from last year out too. That was last year's Christmas picture of the kids. It is a favorite of mine, because Madelyn is screaming and Andrew's eyes are so big!
My kitchen table has actually remained set for the majority of December! We do move the dishes to eat, but I enjoy having them out. These are actually borrowed from my mom...I promise I will give them back!
More of the table. My vase just has a ton of Christmas balls in it...thank you Wal-Mart for creating shatterproof ornaments!
A close up of the dishes! They are so cute! I don't think they would look as nice on a brown table...just something for my mom to think about!
I was so excited to put a tree in each of the kid's rooms this year! I got the last pink tree at Wal-Mart and I think it looks so cute in Madelyn's room! 
Andrew saw this tinsel tree and said this was the one that he wanted in his room. I kind of hesitated in buying it, but I have loved looking at this little tree! It has Razorback ornaments on it. Andrew has moved it all over his room to try and find the perfect spot, but it ended up back where it started!
I added a few little Christmasy touches to the laundry room. Our stairs are in the laundry room, so everyone had to pass through!
This isn't a Christmas decoration, but I recently moved most of our pictures into the stairway and I love it! It's like my own little family photo gallery.
More of my gallery and my newly floored stairs! 
This is the kid's tree in their playroom. It can be seen out the window at night too. I found the snowflake garland in the Land of Nod catalogue and it adds a fun touch! All the gifts are just decoration boxes that I wrapped. Andrew thinks they are all his presents. I will let him unwrap them, but I think he may be disappointed!
The view from the upstairs balcany looking into the living room. 
I hope you enjoyed the tour! Merry Christmas from our home to yours!
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