Christmas is Here!

There has been a great deal of Christmas stuff going on around here, so much so that I have not blogged forever! One of the most recent things was Caleb's Christmas program. I have been trying for two days to get a video to upload from that but so far it is a no go. I think the site is having some trouble because I don't usually have a problem. I thought video was a must because we were those parents sitting in the pews thinking I can't believe that is my kid doing that and yet so proud and entertained all at the same time. Caleb, who generally is not shy, was nervous up there and probably a little too self-aware so he just did not know what to do with himself. He was happy and smiley but all over the place. When a friend of his was supposed to step forward and say something he pushed her forward. He bent over with his hands on his knees, kneeled down, danced to the music, scratched every limb at least three to five times, and did many more things. He just could not stand still to save his life. It is pretty funny to watch. Oh, and when he spotted me during the middle of the program, he got a huge smile and waved real big, then did the same when he found Todd later. Those waves were pretty sweet moments and you couldn't help but love his innocence and and enthusiasm. He did a great job and we were so proud of him. Someday, he too can be entertained watching himself squirm all over the stage:)
We made sugar cookies yesterday using the "Sweetest Story Ever Told" Christmas cookie kit. If you have never seen this and have young kids it is a must! It has five cookie cutters and each shape stands for something that helps tell the Christmas story and what Jesus came to do for us. It also has a story book that tells of a man who every year would make cookies with a group of people and tell the story, sweet book. Then it has tags that you can photo copy and you package up the cookies and attach a tag and give them away. The tag tells about Christmas and why Jesus came. When you are making the cookies you tell the story to your kids and then have them tell you why they are using the cutters. Then they can be involved in telling others about Christ when they give the cookies away. It is a great tradition and one that we have done a couple times now. The boys really love it this year.

Check out the tongue action in this pic, he was really concentrating trying to roll out the dough!

My future cookie maker

A couple weeks ago we got our tree all decorated. It was tons of fun. We were able to get a taller tree this year as we have vaulted ceilings, so that was really fun!



We have a little pond at our house that froze over perfectly smooth. Caleb and I went down on my birthday and I shoveled it off and he worked on learning to ice skate. He is very determined! It was so much fun to teach him because I love to ice skate and have great memories of doing so when I was a kid.