Magical Night

Our kids have been asking, "When are we going to have that night where you put us to bed and then wake us up and take us downtown?"  We usually answer, "Oh, I don't know if we'll do that again this year..." But of course, it's a tradition now! 

So, one night last week, we put them to bed early, then "woke" them up, to which there were screams, smiles, and jumping like none other!  Hudson got in on the action too, not even sure why he was screaming or jumping, but just following big brother and sister's lead.  We whisked them downtown for Hot Cocoa from the South Bend Chocolate Factory and looking at lights around the circle & people taking carriage rides.  I guess the tradition will have to continue, just don't tell our kids... :)

Basketball

 Here I am, about 8 1/2 mos. pregnant... Can't wait to meet this little one and find out who he or she is! Our kids are guessing "GIRL" because so far our order has gone "Boy, Girl, Boy..." but Jeff and I think "BOY." We'll find out soon! :)  I've never been this pregnant before at Christmas, and it's definitely given me an appreciation for Mary riding on a donkey. I don't know how she did that, and then gave birth in a stable.  Amazing.

Christmas in Ohio

We went to Ohio a few weekends ago to have some fun family time with the Lehmans.  Here we are around the table, frosting Christmas cookies.

The place we gathered is the home where Audra and LT live (as they are housesitting for a friend for a few years).  Our kids said they wished it could be our house, especially since it has an indoor pool and hot tub!  Below, Clay catches a pass as he jumps off the diving board.

 Emma loved doing synchronized swimming routines with her aunts and Grandma Jan.  In the background below is Amanda's new FIANCE, as Danny proposed 12-6-12!  We are so excited about their marriage, and it was fun to be together to hear the news and celebrate soon after they got engaged.

 Hudson was pretty excited about Uncle LT's big machines... and getting to "help" drive around the property.

 One night, we all dressed in our jammies and went for a ride on "The Polar Express," an actual 2 hour train ride with hot cocoa, cookies, a visit from Santa, elves leading us in carols, and the final destination-The North Pole.

 Here the kids show their golden tickets.  Lots of fun memories and great times together!

A bit of Christmas

Here are some "still-lifes" I took the other day around our house. This is one of my favorite times of the year!

 Above is the gingerbread house Jeff designed, complete with dormers.  :)  It gets more elaborate every year.  The kids have fun helping to decorate it, and it's a good way to use up the last of the Halloween candy!

 I love using whites, creams, silvers, burlap, and white lights on our tree.

 Our bedroom

This is Hudson's tree with some of Jeff's ornaments from when he was a boy.  Today I found a few of the ornaments in his bed...I think he was playing with them during nap time! 

Hope you're enjoying the season's beauty all around you!

The Nutcracker

 Emma and I have started an annual tradition of attending the Nutcracker Ballet.  This is our fourth year in a row and something we always look forward to!  This year, Grandma Rack joined us.  For breakfast that morning, we started out with blueberry muffins topped with Nutcracker characters.  :)

It was another magical day... Emma came home inspired, turned on the Nutcracker music, and danced around the house.

Morning Light

Thanksgiving/Christmas weekend

We were in Elkhart celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with Jeff's family last weekend.  Here are the boys and Uncle Scott working on a lean-to in the woods.  They loved sawing, building, imagining, and working out in the nice weather!

 Emma thinks it's fun to have Aunt Melissa and Cousin Ashlyn help do her hair "fancy"...

 With Baby Sparrow, now there are 8 cousins.  Here is our "stairstep" photo in front of the little cabin.  We're wondering how many years it will be before the boys will pass up the older girls in height.  Soon there will be one more in the picture...

After Thanksgiving, we switched gears and the Christmas decorations came out. There's always time for a Christmas Tea and ornament exchange!

 This boy has been so excited at all of the Christmas decorations this year.  He loved helping put ornaments on the tree and running around the house singing, "Jingle Bell, HEY!"

Lots of special memories already, and the Christmas season is just getting started. We are thankful for the relationships God has given us with our families!