Our Family: 2010

Christmas Traditions

12/29/2010 | by Unknown

I like hearing what other traditions other folks do and I want to document what we did this year to see what all sticks.

Picture with Santa
[Kind of expensive but I think we will
just nix the Easter Bunny pictures]

Elf on the Shelf...may I introduce Pepper Mintstix
(Guardian of the secret of where Father Christmas' village is located) I don't think Evey quite understands the whole concept yet, but she did enjoy finding him in his new places each morning

Advent Calendar
This Christmas started a little rocky for me. I was more excited about Austin's birthday party than anything. I was feeling like Santa was taking over Christmas and where was Jesus? So, instead of stressing about filling each 'pocket' with a small gift, I put a small candy in each pocket with a Bible verse.
PERFECT! Evey was excited to listen and have Daddy read the verse each night and then she got a candy.
Huge success, no stress, and she learned about Jesus.

Nativity
(Putting Christ in Christmas Part 2)
I bought the kids this nativity set so they could have a
tangible way of learning the Christmas story.

Christmas Eve
We went to church service, dinner and then we drove around looking at Christmas lights (both kids seemed to really enjoy this). When we got home they opened their Christmas PJs.

Evey's School Christmas Party

12/27/2010 | by JP

Wednesday before Christmas, Evey's class had a Christmas party at school. James was able to go and take pictures.

They were supposed to have a school production the Friday before but it got snowed out so they did their production at the party

Catchup: Austin 11 Months

12/26/2010 | by Unknown

Austin this month you were cruising around and enjoying using the walker toys. You cut your 5th tooth. You are still the happiest little stinker around. Your love and joy is contagious. You just warm people's hearts when you smile at them. We love you buddy!

December Video Entertainment

12/22/2010 | by JP

A couple of videos for your enjoyment:

Austin walking:

"It's not morning time" an original song by Evey Price

Catchup: Gymnastics

12/22/2010 | by Unknown

Evey did Gymnastics this fall. The last day of class the parents were allowed to go in and watch them. James was able to come and take pictures.

Austin was a really good boy for all her classes. We basically had to sit out in the hall and play on a blanket...glad that is before he was walking cause he would have no part of sitting there now.

Catchup: Halloween

12/21/2010 | by Unknown

We had dinner with the neighbors and then all the dads and kids went trick or treating. The moms stayed back by the firepit and handed out candy. We had quite a few kids this year so it was fun.

Evey painted her pumpkin from school

Evey and Daddy carving their pumpkin

Just thought they were cute sitting together

Evey was a fairy princess and Austin a pumpkin

Here are the neighborhood kids ready to go get their loot.
Robbie was Bumblebee from Transformers...love it!

Winter Onederland

12/16/2010 | by Unknown

Austin's party was a huge success and certainly a testament to how God has blessed us here. We are 1/2 way across the country from all our family, yet 35 bodies came to our home to love on Austin.

We decorated the house with snowflakes and white streamers, sort of a snowman theme. Mostly cause of his cute little shirt on the invitation.

Little Miss was really excited about the party

The kids came right on in and got started on decorating their gingerbread homes. They turned out awesome. Some got eaten (gross), some were taken home and some were left with us to make a little Christmas village.

I think Austin was a little overwhelmed by all the people but very happy of course. He just really enjoyed watching the kids work on their houses. We ate pizza and hung out for a little bit and then everyone went home to get the kids in bed.