Toys for Tots

At the birthday party for Jesus, all of the children brought a new, unwrapped present for us to donate to Toys for Tots. We tried to take the toys one night to Babies R Us, but there pick up box had already been picked up. Yesterday Taylor and I took it to Toys R Us and they were so happy to receive the toys. They couldn't believe how many toys we were donating. Taylor told them that they were from her friends that came to Jesus' birthday party. I love how she understands almost everything now and can talk like a big person.

Brownwood Family Christmas Party

Every year we go to Brownwood the weekend before Christmas to have a family Christmas party with Nathan's extended family. It is the only time a year we the whole family gets together. Taylor loved getting to play with all her cousins all night long.

Taylor with her new Polar Bear that roars and snores.

Headed to the barn with Poppy and Abby to feed the horses.

Taylor with all her girl cousins.

All the men watching the Cowboys game

All the cousins.....

Taylor opening a present with daddy.

Happy Birthday Jesus Party

Sunday afternoon, our Monday morning bible study hosted a birthday party for Jesus at our house. We had gold crowns for the kids to wear, stickers to make Nativity scenes with, read 'The Crippled Lamb' by Max Lucado, had birthday cake, and played. Each family brought an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots.

We thought it was a perfect time of year to teach our children about giving to others and helping those who are less fortunate. I'm not sure if all the kids understood about the party for Jesus and that He is the reason for this season, but it is never to early to start telling them. Taylor had a blast getting to play with all of her friends and have birthday cake.



Abigail and Taylor in the photo cutout



Nathan and Taylor eating birthday cake



The kids making their Nativity scene out of stickers

Kendall reading 'The Crippled Lamb' to the kids. Surprisingly, most of the kids sat through the entire story. It is one of my favorite books to read this time of year, but I can't read it without crying.

Picture with Santa

Saturday morning we took Taylor to go see Santa at the mall. She was so excited all morning. She did such a good job. She ran right up to Santa and crawled up into his lap. She smiled pretty for her picture and then told Santa what she wanted for Christmas. She told him that she wants a pink Jeep to drive like daddys. Too cute!

She didn't quite understand that you don't get to stay there and hang out with Santa all day. She didn't want to leave because she wanted to stay with Santa.

Boys and their Toys......

Thursday night while Taylor and I were at church for Christmas by Candlelight, Nathan was at the Jeep dealership. He finally bit the bullet and bought his Jeep. He has wanted a 4-door Jeep since they came out 3 years ago, but I wouldn't let him get one when we found out I was pregnant with Taylor. They aren't exactly the safest cars. He has talked nonstop about 'his Jeep' for 3 years now, so like every good wife would do, I gave in. I actually gave in about 6 months ago, but he has been waiting for a good deal and I guess he found one.

I have to admit, I appreciate him going by himself and doing it. I absolutely hate car shopping and dealing with car salesman (no offense if you or your husband are a car salesman). Since he came home with it, he has been like a kid in a candy store. He is just so excited about it and wants to drive it everywhere.

He came a picked Taylor up for me Thursday night after Christmas by Candlelight so I could pack up all my decorations from the two tables and not have to worry about her, plus it was 10 o'clock and I didn't know how long it would take me to pack up. Anyways, Nathan said when she got in the Jeep, she said, "Wow daddy, nice Jeep". All weekend when we were driving around in it, she kept saying "I like your Jeep daddy" and "yeah, daddy Jeep".

I took these pictures Friday morning on my way out the door to go to the office. Sorry I don't have better pictures.

Christmas By Candleight

Thursday night our church hosted a women's night out with a potluck dinner, decorated tables, and a guest speaker. We had 300 women register to attend! April and I hosted 2 tables and got to decorate them. Some of the tables were absolutely gorgeous! The speaker was a comedian named Kerri Pomarolli who was incredible. She was absolutely hilarious and motivational.

Our two tables:

Bass Pro Shop Playdate

Writing a letter to Santa



Racing cars with Renee and Harrison




Snowman

Riding in the sleigh with Lindsay, Bella, and Christian

Feeding the reindeer

Thursday we met our ECPTA playgroup up at the Bass Pro Shop to play in their Winder Wonderland and see Santa. Taylor was so excited all morning to get to see Santa and take a picture with him. Well, when we got there, we realized that Santa doesn't show up till 5pm and the reindeer carousel doesn't operate until 5pm too. We went ahead and walked over to the carousel to see it and take some pictures on it. One of the workers got the key and turned it on for us so the kids got to ride the reindeer carousel. Okay, we all know Taylor loves horses and always wants to ride the horse carousels whenever we see one. I put her up on that reindeer and she just started crying. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't even get her to stop for one picture. She just wanted to sit in the sleigh and take pictures.

We played with their remote control trucks, we raced a car on a steep track, colored a hunting picture, and wrote Santa a letter. Taylor asked Santa for a puppy and a princess. Awwwwww! I was going to take her to Santa's mailbox to mail the letter to him, but it is just so precious that I decided to keep it. Next year we can write him a letter and mail it.

Taylor was a little bummed that we didn't get to see Santa and take a picture. I promised her that we would take her this weekend to see Santa. She told me that she is going to ask Santa for 2 pink presents. Kids are so funny!