Christmas is my favorite time of the year

I can't believe it is almost Christmas! I love this time of year. I almost am sad that Christmas day will be here and be over so soon. I would happily listen to the Christmas songs in church all year round. I sing along even though the people around me are probably quietly willing me to stop. Today at church, our homily was focused on Joseph - and how he fulfilled the dream and the plan that God had for him. He was a loyal partner to Mary, and guardian to Jesus. What an incredible role he played in Jesus' life! What faith he had! Sometimes he can be forgotten in the mix. It is the perfect time of the year to focus on the dream and plan that Jesus Christ has for us in our lives. It may seem like we play a small role, and sometimes we may feel invisible, but it doesn't mean that we are not important.

This month has been filled with lots of Christmas fun!

Shopping at Lowe's for a Christmas tree.
No tree farm for us this year - the one we went to last year isn't open.
Don't the boys seem to be enjoying themselves??

We painted ornaments -

Decorated our tree (finally)

Jackson wanted to put the star on, but was a little hesitant to be up so high.

Cooper wasn't scared at all.

I think it turned out great. Its a beautiful tree (isn't very fragrant - but it looks nice).
The boys hung up jingle bells, snowflakes, and candy canes (all the non-breakables). The bottom of the tree is covered with the bells and snowflakes. Having children is a lesson in giving up control. And I like to have control.
Anyway, I have "let it go" because that is what its all about.
And the tree looks perfect.

We had a gingerbread house party here with some of our friends).



Seriously, could Natalie be any cuter?


Jack's facial expression is pretty funny here. But I just love how he and Emma always join forces. At one point, Jackson, Julia, and Emma were all hiding under Charlie's bed.
They played under there for 20 minutes. A little while later, I saw Emma and Julia, but no Jackson. When I asked them where he was, Emma told me he was stuck in the crib. I went upstairs to find Jack smiling and laughing, and IN the crib. Evidentally, he and Emma had climbed in (after they got bored playing underneath), and Emma climbed out, while Jackson was just waiting there for me. He may have been calling for me, but I didn't hear over all the noise. 13 kids and 10 adults in our house. Oh well, he thought it was funny.

We've been busy baking and cooking, too. I spent an entire Sunday afternoon making whoopie pies (things take longer with a nursing, spit-up-y baby, a 2 yr old and a 3 1/2 yr old). I think I will stick to cooking and baking at night - it's not worth it. I just end up getting frustrated with the boys while I am trying to count how much sugar I've put in the bowl.

The whoopie pies turned out great - I put crushed up candy canes on them -
gave them as Christmas gifts.
Only problem is that the batch only makes 18-24 pies, and you can't double to recipe.

Speaking of gifts - Jackson brought these home from school on Wednesday.
Pretty adorable, right?

He was proud to hang them on the tree.
I am just now realizing how often this red polo is featured in this blog post. HA!

I hosted a cookie exchange/playdate last week.
After my kids grow up can I get paid to plan parties and do things like make labels, design invitations, bake, and wrap things? I know, these are important things. But I love them.

Dylan and Davis

Sweet Norah.
I wish you could see her cute leg warmers that she was wearing. Bridget MADE them. So cute. She's so darn creative. Remember when she was my secret sister?

I love these little placecard holders.
I'm determined to label as many things as I can this holiday season.

Served hot chocolate (borrowed Heather's adorable dispenser) and coffee (borrowed Adrienne's maker, because I don't own one ... terrible I know).

I made sugar cookies to swap. Made the dough one night. Cut them and baked them another night. Decorated them the last night. I made it easier by just using white royal icing. Sometimes I get carried away with making all different colors, but it takes SO long.

Thanks for putting up with the long post. Original plan - a separate post for everything. But, I'm just way behind.
Next up - Jackson's school Christmas program.
We'll see if I can get to it before Christmas!