The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

This is such a fun time of year! So many laughs, so many memories, so much to look forward to, and so many ways to celebrate Christ's birth! (Get ready for a few posts of our fun, fun month). 

Craig with his co-leader, Jarrod, and Bobby at the Student Ministry Leaders Tacky Sweater Christmas Party on December 1st.

Our beautiful Christmas tree from none-other than Lowes.  We planned on getting a little one to put up on a table away from Davis' grabbing hands but we changed our minds and he has surprised us all, he has not had a problem with touching, climbing, grabbing, pulling it down, etc.

A few Christmas Activities:

Fingerprint Manger

Caleb is decorating a cookie with a fun food marker!

We went to the Watermark's Building Block Christmas Party and had a blast, dancing, singing, eating, running around, and having a fun celebration!

This is beginning to be a common occurence-Caleb and Davis "wrestling" with eachother.  Oh, the laughs!

Our attempt at a family picture!

Sad, that this is the only picture I took at our Church playgroup's Christmas Party but it was the only time that these few dozens kiddos were still long enough.  Ms. Julia (ex-teacher) led our kids in a few adorable crafts! 

We just love this time of year and the joy it brings! 

Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. "

School Performance and Party

In December, Caleb had his first program at School.  The Preschoolers 3, 4, and 5 year olds performed some precious songs and recited scripture.  Caleb's class (Chocolate Chips) and the Oreos got up to perform "Ring Those Bells" and "Christmas Bells" with of course, a bell in each hand!  Then they recited Galatians 5:22-23.  So cute they were!  We didn't know how Caleb would do but he stayed up on stay and "performed" well!

Then the all the preschoolers got up and sang "Jesus Loves Me," Philippians 4:13, "Counting Rhyme," and "Today a Savior is Born" (some in Spanish)!  Pretty impressive!

Waiting at Caleb's school performance. Love it!

Even though, Caleb did do well up on stage he did do something funny we just have to note...in between a few of their songs Caleb called out to us in the audience "Where's Davis?"  Julie was feeding Davis a bottle, so he was held up over the crowd and Caleb yells "Hi, Davis"!  Then went on singing...So precious! 

A week later, Caleb's class had a Christmas party.  They made a craft of little drums, read a story about a drummer boy, had lunch, and a cupcake for Jesus' birthday! 

Listening to the story and getting to drum at the appropriate time. 

Someone really enjoyed his cupcake!

"The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."  Galatians 5:22-23

A Meaningful Christmas Month

Sorry, if you are seeing this for a second time...somehow it published itself before I was done.  I deleted it almost immediately, but Google Reader still picked it up.  Sorry!

During the month of November, we had a little arts and craft project in our home. We (Craig was a HUGE help) made 24 of the same ornament to then exchange them on November 29th with 23 other ladies. I was blown away by the creativity, thoughtfulness, time, and effort that each woman put into making, creating, designing their beautiful and unique ornament. We had some yummy treats and enjoyed a lovely evening!

Here is the table of the 576 beautiful ornaments

A close up on Alpha and Omega, The Trinity, Creation, and Love

Believe, Bethlehem, Promises, and Mary is Chosen

Trusting God, Immanuel, Having a Good Attitude, and No Room in the Inn

Born in a Manager, The Shepherds were Afraid, Go and Tell, and Wise Men

The Greatest Gift, The Word, The Good Shepherd

The Vine, The Light of the World, The Bread of Life

The Way/The Truth/The Life, and the Lamb of God

Kristin, the wonderful hostess that organized all of this and the great boxes to keep the ornaments in for years to come

Daddy and Caleb getting ready to read the devotional and talk about the lesson

Sweet Memories

Caleb telling us where he wants to hang the new ornament (notice our tree is a little top heavy-to keep little Davis hands off of them).  In future years, I think we will have a smaller tree just for these 24 ornaments.

Picking the perfect spot

Check out on of the writer/creators of A Meaningful Christmas blog post here

We are prayerful of the future years and the wonderful memories we are creating with our kids.  Caleb is still a little young to grasp it all but it is still really fun and it helps us focus our hearts and minds on the most Meaningful part of CHRISTmas!  (A group picture will follow-it was on a different person's camera).

10 months - November 31

This pumpkin is 10 months!!! Can't believe how fast it has gone by and how much he has grown. 

Last month we took Davis in for his 9 month appointment he was:

30 inches (95%)

19 pounds and 12 ounces (50%)

Remarkably the same exact size as Caleb was at that age.

We also forgot to post, but last month we switched him into the big boy car seat and loves facing backwards. Davis is a wonderful traveler and does so well in the car.

Davis has loved monkey walking the past couple of months, but a few days before his 10th month birthday, he started pushing the walking toy around by himself.  It is so cute!  He gets so excited until he bumps into something and can't move then he gets frustrated.  He is learning to back up and try again. 

Davis is one of the happiest babies we have seen but when he is hungry, he surely lets you know it.  He squeals, grunts, uses his outside voice to communicate he is ready to eat NOW!  It is too funny!

We pray all the time for him but this month we focused on praying for him this verse, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be (a man) of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Love every moment with this little guy!