Santa!!!

Christmas Home 2017

Our home all decked out for Christmas...

Christmas Card 2017

Christmas Home Tour 2016

It's the most wonderful time of the year!


At my house...the halls have been officially decked!

entryway/schoolroom

living room

kitchen

my office *my childhood stocking

big girls' room

Joy's room

Our Christmas tree!

Christmas Card 2016

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

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Gingerbread House 2016

I don't know why I cling to traditions like I do.  I love them and it's hard for me to let go of certain traditions we've kept through the years.  I had about decided that I wouldn't purchase a gingerbread house this year.  They are messy (I know what you're thinking), we throw them out soon after they are completed, they are costly (because I purchase way more candy and icing than is required). But as I was walking through Wal-Mart, the spirit of tradition lured me to a display of kits.  

The kids love it and I love that they love it!

The tradition lives on!

Santa! I know him!

Per tradition...

No one is crying this year!

Xmas in July

This year, we started a new tradition.  We had a little Christmas in July fun.

There was little to no prep--I had an old pre-decorated tree up in the attic.

Before the festivities the next morning, we watched a little Christmas Vacation after the kids went to bed.

Christmas in July breakfast

We had a summer take on a Christmas meal:  Smoked sausage links, fresh veggies, and Toll House cookies.

We each exchanged a single, small gift and watched Christmas movies all day!  It was good ole' family time--just what we needed!

Our Family Christmas

Each year, we have our family Christmas with our party of 5 a few days before the actual holiday.  We typically travel to Arkansas to visit family and it's good to enjoy this special day at home before we celebrate with our extended families.  

Here's the recap...

 the night before...

 our traditional Christmas morning breakfast

We gave the big girls iPad minis (refurbished).  

I made up a few rules and beforehand we read THIS article by Tim Challies.  It's a good reminder for us parents to be alert about technology in our children's hands.   If you get a chance, read it!  It's good for us adults, too!

Graham gave me the ESV Reformation Study Bible.  By God's grace, I've had the joy of reading through the ESV Study Bible and the ESV MacArthur Study Bible.  I am so excited to spend this year reading my new Bible and growing more and more in love with my Savior.  It's my prayer that each day I look more like Him and less and less like me.

Our traditional Christmas dinner complete with Christmas crackers

Merry  Christmas, everyone!!!