Christmas Eve Nativity

We had the traditional Christmas Eve Dinner with ham and Cheesy Potatoes, a Nativity, and new jammies. It was a fun night and made the kids very excited for the next morning. It couldn't come soon enough!

Nativity scene #2 with Jackson as the Donkey, Nick-Joseph, Carly- Mary, and Scarlett as baby Jesus. The whole crew! Loved the new costumes this year.

The Nativity Round 1

We had some amazing Nativities this year with great costumes and actors. I am not sure the kids got the point of it any more than before, but they sure looked cute! They posed pretty good for pictures too!

Baby Jesus.. Jack

Adorable Angel Emma

Little Lamby Natalie

And the whole cast!

Waffles and Santa

We had a big family party the Saturday morning before Christmas. It was fun to see all the cousins and I wish we got together more often! Uncle Devon made yummy waffles for everybody. I think he was baking for at least 2 hours straight! THANKS! Then surprise- Santa showed up! All the kids took turns on his knee and Nick let him know that he wanted a Nintendo DS for Christmas! That was news to us! I am thinking we need to move this party up a few weeks next year! Mckay wanted an indoor Trampoline! Hmmm, interesting!

and Natalie wanted a pink Barbie Doll and a kitchen. We also got proof that Santa is not Grandpa!

Sugar Cookies

Grandma had all the kids over to decorate cookies. It was quite a mess, but the kids loved it! Thanks mom! Nick was into making a pattern and asking everyone for their red and green candy!

Mckay was all about getting as much candy and frosting as he could on his cookie. YUMMY! And Natalie slept through most of it! She missed one too many of her naps during this holiday season!

Eating the Neighbor's Neighbor Gifts

This afternoon, Mckay went across the street to play with a friend. A few minutes later he came back with a mouth full of something chocolate. I asked him what he was eating. He told me that Cara wasn't home, but that she left a plate of chocolate on her porch with a note that said "For Mckay." Yea right!! Sorry Anne- you are now missing one of your goodies that was left for you. Mckay did say he went back and apologized, you just weren't there to hear him! So, I guess my neighbors don't have to worry about stray animals taking there goodies, just little Mckays! I couldn't help but to laugh!

Nick's first Match

(still having issues with the facial expressions!)

Nick had his first wrestling tournament in November. It was so much fun to watch him out there on the mat. I couldn't help but get into it! He had a lot of fun and it was good for his dad to get back into the wrestling scene again. They were a little low on refs, so Nate had to fill in. They do the matching up of the boys by weight, not age. Nick got matched up with the 2nd graders! It made it a little more difficult when he wrestled the boys that had been doing it for a few years- but he still had a good time. He smiled whether he lost or won!

Watering the Sheep

Nick asked me this morning why we have to always do the play on Christmas Eve where he waters the sheep??!! Hmmm, interesting. I guess all the years of acting out the nativity hasn't done so much for him. All I can think is that he must have been the shepherd last year and we kept him quiet by telling him to water the sheep!
Next, he asked if Grandpa was going to be Santa Claus again this year?! Hmmm, interesting. He told me that Grandpa is never around when Santa comes and that it must be him. I tried to let him know that Grandpa is always out with the reindeer, but who knows how long that is going to cover! I think there is an alternate plan this year since all the grandkids are getting older!

Later, Nick informed Nate and I that he had seen his Christmas present in the back of the truck the other day. The BIG Christmas present. GREAT!! SO, he waited a couple of days to tell me he saw it when Nate and I were trying to talk in "code" about where to put it. He could tell we were being a bit sneaky about things and said " I saw my present!" So we informed him that it was for the kids that we help every year and not for him. Is that lying? I guess we will have to wait and see what Santa brings. Good thing Santa isn't bringing much this year and mom and dad are filling in to help! IT doesn't totally ruin things. I guess we need to get better at our parenting skills.