Shepherds & Monsters

We've been keeping up our advent calendar around here...how could I forget, when 3 kids are asking me about all day?  :)  Day 3 - I made Christmas cake pops for the kids and they The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.  Day 4 - We went to Benjamin's school and listened to all the kids sing Christmas songs and recite Christmas poems.  Ben got to dress up as a shepherd. 

Day 5 - We began reading the birth story of Jesus as told by Luke.  We read the first 2 chapters.  The kids had so many questions...I love reading the Bible with children.  Their hearts and minds are so much different than ours. 
Day 6 - Tonight we will ready 2 more chapters from Luke. 

Today I ordered our Christmas card!!  I am sooo excited!  Last year was the first year, in 8 years, I didn't send out our Christmas cards.  I admit...it was depressing.  I love having our family photo made and sending it to our family and friends.   :)
Noah turns 3 next Sunday.  He is having a monster party.  This years party will be a challenge because I started a cake pop business earlier this year and I have orders to fill as well as a party to plan.  But, I'm up for the challenge and the lack of sleep!
I'm enlisting the kids to help me this time with painting props for the party.  :)
Kevin painted the outside of our house today.  We picked out the paint color a year ago, so we were so excited to finally see it on OUR house!
I think Sarah might be getting her next 2 teeth because she woke up last night and stayed up for 2 hours just hanging out...like she did for 3 LONG weeks before she got her first 2 teeth.  So, I might have lots of late nights hanging out with my sweet girl. 

What is an Advent calendar??

We have done advent calendars since Kaitlin was 2.  I have always loved seeing the kids faces as they open up their little piece of chocolate for that day.  But, this year, I wanted to do something different...something to show the kids that this season should be more about doing good for others, spending time together, celebrating Jesus' birth and just being selfless.
So, what exactly does "advent" mean?  It means "coming".  We celebrate these days leading up to Christmas as a season of preparation for Christmas.  As Christians, we prepare for celebrating the birth of Jesus by remembering the longing of the Jews for a Messiah. We’re reminded of how much we ourselves also need a Savior, and we look forward to our Savior’s second coming even as we prepare to celebrate his first coming at Christmas.
For day one, we watched a Christmas movie, Charlie Bown's Christmas.  Later that evening we went to friends house to enjoy the Parade of Lights on Eagle Mountain Lake.  Then we ate chili and stew and hung out with great friends. 

Tonight (day two), the kids made chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles for their teachers. They all did everything all on their own! Even Noah did!

Sarah got chocolate tonight...thanks Daddy!

We are loving Christmastime!  It's been in the upper 70's all week so we've been spending quite a bit of time outside riding bikes, raking leaves, jumping in leaf piles and going on walks. 

We got the 2 trees for the kids rooms put up the day after Thanksgiving and set up the big tree the next day.
November 23rd, Sarah got her 2 bottom teeth.  It's crazy that she's already 10 months old.  All of the kids are still completely in love with her!  She is the sweetest little baby ever.  She's very content, a great sleeper, great eater and the best snuggler ever! 

We had a fun Thanksgiving at our house.  Lots of food, quality family time and lots of leftovers!

In October we went to MainStay Farm!!  Kevin got to come this year and he loved it.  We went with the Roberts family again.  :)

My 10 year high school reunion was in October as well.  Here's me and my hot date!

The kids were just as cute as can be in their Halloween costumes!

Noah LOVES grasshoppers (aka "hahoppers").

Benja, as he calls himself now (& actually everyone calls him that now, haha!!), turned 5 in September!  We had a super fun camping/fishing themed party for him.  I think everyone had a great time.  We even roasted our own hot dogs and made smores.

In September, Noah got to meet his favorite people ever, Bob & Larry!!

I hope to keep you up to date on our advent adventure...as well as the rest of our fun times!