My Facebook Status on Christmas Day

"It's a good thing it's all really about JESUS because this day has included 1 kid throwing up, 3 kids with major fevers, 1 massive nose bleed, 4 battles over meds, some presents still unopened and to top it off I drilled through my thumb nail with the screwdriver tip of the drill (I know! What on earth?? Stupid toy assembly). So here's to JESUS!! So thankful he's my savior. I've talked to him more today than I have any other Christmas! So thankful he came so I can turn to Him when things aren't so great."

Merry Christmas

Snuggle Time

Not the best pictures...but the moment was sweet. I adore being snuggled up in my bed with all three kids. I love the bottom right picture of Will peeking over at Ryan taking a picture while the other two are listening to me read them a Christmas story.

Cookies with Grandmom

 

I'm so thankful my mom handles this messy tradition with my kids! I can remember doing this as a child every single year, so I'm thankful my mom continues the tradition with my kids.

Playtime

Will LOVES playing with Christian and McKenna!!!

The things they put him through....

Christmas Crafting Party!

Sometimes I surprise myself and come up with decent crafts. Look at that ornament. I'm impressed. It used to be a plain glass ball. The picture really doesn't do it justice. It's so pretty and sparkly and all the sparkles are on the inside so it's not messy and won't ever loose it's sparkle. The best part.... it's soooo easy to make! Alright, I found all the details HERE ,just act super surprised and amazed if I ever give you one of the ornaments as a present. Later I monogrammed them with the kids initials with a paint pen. Super cute.

We had a few friends over to make a few crafts. Christmas trees!

And snowmen made out of an egg carton.

 

The glue and the creativity were flowing.....

 

Then things got a little crazy! That girl of mine sure does have a personality!

Happy Birthday Jesus Party!!!

 We love to celebrate Jesus! And we love having friends who come over and eat frozen pizza and apple sauce! ha! This time I spent my prep time on crafts and games and didn't worry about the food too much. That's my kind of party!

 We've been celebrating Jesus' birthday with these friends since Christian was two. I think that first year we had a total of  five kids between the three families. This year we have nine!! We always make some sort of edible craft. This year we made Christmas trees out of ice cream cones. Fun & messy!!

 

I think Ellie & Kate are babysitters in the making! Will loved them!!

 This is the one time a year the dads all get to hang out.

McKenna and Gwennie always have a wild time. I have no idea why they have their hands in the air :) They're just goofy!!

I think this is one of the best traditions ever. An easy way to focus on the TRUE meaning of the season!

A Cousin Christmas

Welcome to the world's longest blog post:

Last weekend all our Brinkley cousins came to town!

McKenna was pretty much beside herself with JOY that she was finally going to get to see Abby. 

Notice how they're matching! That was McKenna's idea.

It was such a treat to see Adam (my brother Tim's son). He is the same age as Christian, so they have a blast together.

McKenna taught the girls some of her dance moves. I tell you what I have the sweetest nieces in the world! They are so patient and loving towards McKenna. Every single one of them loves Jesus and they are all the perfect role models for McKenna to look up to.

Everyone had dinner at my house on Friday night. Then 9 of the 11 cousins spent the night.

The next morning everyone tolerated my mini photo shoots:)

Emma on the left, Charis in the middle, Sophie on the right and Abby in the front.

And here's the entire Marshall/Wise family! 

Isn't this the best picture?? They are a beautiful family even if Nate is grossly out numbered!!!!

Elizabeth, Adam and Hannah!

Then we loaded up in the car and headed over to my parents house. It took us four vehicles to get there!

We played our crazy mitten game and the winner of that game got to open the first Christmas present. Christian won!

Love her and miss her all the time.

Adam gave Christian a bottle rocket! Oh the extreme excitement when he opened that gift!

Nate started to open his new night vision goggles, while Christian continued to admire his prized rocket.

Nate is so cute, he actually thanked the Lord for his presents :)

Then everyone else went to town opening their presents.

Will even opened his very first present ever. It was a monkey snow hat. So cute.

Mimi loves her boy!!!

Then it was time to head out into the frigid temps to shoot off the rocket.

Time to eat. My mom worked very hard to fit all 19 of us around the table.

Yum.

New toys are always so exciting!

And so are pretend earrings.

The Brinkley kids were thrilled that I was once again attempting to take their picture.

Will was a fan favorite.

I'm so glad Uncle Tim was finally able to meet Will. I think Will loved him.

The girls played some games.

And then it was pretty much time for everyone to head home. It was a great weekend, just way too short. We are just so thankful we had this special time together!