Live Nativity, hot chocolate, and Christmas PJs

Great Grandpa Austin's 89th Birthday

Jude and Matilda

Julie with Jude

Grandpa with Levi

Uncle Topher and Mia Beth

Santa's Wonderland

On Sunday we took the kids to Santa's Wonderland in College Station.  Despite the long lines and freezing temperatures we all had a great time.

Advent by Candlelight

Taryn and I hosted tables at this years Advent by Candlelight at our church.  The evening was wonderful and another example of how blessed I am by such amazing women.

St. Nicholas Day

We had a visit from St. Nicholas!  The boys were so excited to find their shoes filled with candy, fruit and a few goodies.  We felt so blessed to have an extra pair of shoes to set out this year!

On another note:  I ended up taking back the book that is shown in this picture, My Secret Angel and Me.  It is a book and angel doll that is very similar to the Elf on a Shelf only it focuses on the true meaning of Christmas.  The book is great at explaining the nativity of our Lord but I decided it didn't work for our family.  I am ok with the Elf coming and going because it is the magic of Christmas.  I wasn't ok with telling my kids that the Angel doll was going back and forth from Heaven.  Even though the intent of this book is good I just couldn't lie to the kids about Angels which we know are real.  I felt like it was a lie that would jeopardize their faith.  In our family Heaven is a daily topic of conversation and it would have caused confusion for the boys.

Jude is 4 months

Here is Jude and I waiting for the doctor at his 4 month appointment.  I can't remember my life without him.