Christmas 2018

It's hard to believe another Christmas season has come and gone. We had a busy, but memorable month that was filled with lots of fun. It is so wonderful to see traditions that continue year after year. As the kids are getting older, they are recognizing the value of those traditions and it adds to the excitement and anticipation of this season.

The kids always look forward to the return of our elf, Sturmie, at the beginning of December. They also love that he brings new PJs for them each year.

Shopping for 25 cent gifts at Nana Pam's church continues to be a favorite Christmas tradition. Each year, the kids get some really great (and, often hilarious) gifts!

We try to squeeze in some fun with friends and neighbors. This year, we traded out gingerbread house making for a night of fun minute-to-win-it type games with friends. We started with a sock exchange for the kids and ended with some serious competition among the kids and adults! We also hosted our annual neighbor scavenger hunt and had a blast with that.

The kids were excited to know that Santa was visiting Grandpa and Grandma's neighborhood with the fire department. We waited for quite awhile in the cold, but it was worth it to see Santa!

Caleb's 4-H group participated in Wreaths Across America. It was a gorgeous day and the cemetery was jam packed with volunteers, but we enjoyed getting to be a part of the experience.

I hosted our coffee group's ornament exchange. We ate tons of yummy treats and had a lot of fun. Several of us got together a couple weeks later for our annual cookie baking day, which was also a blast! 

I got to enjoy my last first grade gingerbread house event. Joel was definitely the most meticulous and creative of the three. This boy loves to build and create!

Lamont cookie day was a ton of fun, as always!

Christmas with the Blooms (where we open those 25 cent gifts) was a blast!

We had a delicious brunch with Santa :)

The moment these kiddos wait all month for....Christmas morning! Caleb got a snowboard, gravitrax, and a game. Leah got rollerblades, a REAL cash register, and craft supplies. Joel got a marble tower kit, balloon animal kit, and a circuit building set.

  

Christmas with the Lamonts was hosted at my cousin's house this year and it was wonderful. The kids played for hours and we loved getting to hang out, eat yummy food, do our gift exchange, and play games.