A glimpse at our Christmas ...

Working hard at getting the tree up.... Grace likes to wear gloves because it is scratchy.

Look at all the fun, hard work. :)

Kay did a great job putting on the branches.

Caleb did a great job helping his daddy.....

Grace liked to spread the branches out.

....until he got sleepy and decided to grab puppy, a blanket and pillow on the couch and watch the rest of us work. :)

Almost finished... just waiting to put up the angel.

Yay! We can't wait to put up the angel! :)

I love decorating for Christmas. Music in the background, lights, pretty ornaments, stockings, the nativity... sooo much fun! The kids loved helping, setting up the branches, and getting everything out. We actually had to do it over two different days because half our lights did not make it and there was no way I was going through that many strands trying to figure out which light bulb was out. Such an aggravating process. Josh ran out to Walmart to pick up more and when we plugged the new ones in, they was bad too! It was brand new. Needless to say, we threw in the towel and decided finish up later!

Grace in a goofy santa hat! :)

Kay's year to put up the angel.

It's hard work putting it on!

The kids loved putting up all the ornaments. We are rotating between the kids with who gets to put up the angel on the tree. This year it was Kayleigh's year. She was soooo excited to put it up. It took a few tries to get it to stay up there, but she finally got it.We always rotated between us kids at my parent's house and I looked forward with glee my every 5 year rotation; geez, they are lucky they only have to wait every 3 years!

It is so much fun seeing the kids fall in love with Christmas and understand that it is about celebrating Jesus' birthday. We have been reading a section of the story of Christ's birth each night. I love that they soak up all the details and love hearing it again and again. They ask for it now each night and can basically tell it as good as I can. We have been celebrating Christmas by doing art projects as well.

Getting a bit more blue finger paint.

Caleb was working on his first finger paint masterpiece.

Grace showing off her finger-painting finger!

Working away at their projects!

We also have been doing art projects non-stop! Today we spent all morning using the finger paints the girls received from Kory and Linda for their birthdays to make Christmas trees, lights, and reindeer pictures. They turned out so cute. Caleb even had his turn at finger painting. He loved it! It is fun to have craft thing that he could actually participate in.After our day full of art projects, yummy food, and Christmas music, we decided to top it off by making Christmas cookies.

Ready to help make the cookies!

"I'm soooo exited to make my shape too!"

Grace can't wait to add her sprinkles.

Kay making her heart shaped cookies.

Grace decided to do stars.

Kay sneaking a bite.

 Josh and the kids are currently making Christmas cookies. They love mixing everything together, sneaking bites of batter, and making all the different shapes. Grace can't wait to use the sprinkles. Ten more minutes and they will be done. :)  I am off to wait for my cookies!