MERRY CHRISTMAS...

from our family

to yours!

I can't believe Christmas is here already.  Where has December gone?  These next few days will be jam packed with family, food, gifts and more food.  I can't wait.  Tonight when Kevin gets home we plan to go look at Christmas lights and watch a Christmas movie.

Our elf, Buddy

Tyson and I went shopping one day to get stuff for him to take to school.  The Boy Scouts were collecting items to box up and ship to the soldiers.

Cooper looking at tractors

 Tyson with his classmates at his school program.  He is in the middle of the back row.

It was a cute program.  They sang a lot of songs. 

Tyson was kind of nervous at first, but by the end of the program you could tell he was having a good time.

 It was Kellen's turn to take treats to preschool last week, and it was also his Christmas party so we made melted snowman cookies to take.

We had the Herchenbach Christmas last Sunday. 

Cooper opening his gift.

Logan

Kellen opening his gift - Ali was helping him

Tyson opening his gift 

There are three new babies on this side of the family.  The two on the left are only a little over a month old and the one on the right is our nephew Logan.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

Last Saturday was our first Christmas of the season.  Only 6 more to go!  I love getting together with all of our families over the holidays.  A lot of years I dread this time of year because of all the busyness, but this year I am actually really looking forward to it.  I'm trying to get as much done as early as possible. 

I have a lot of my baking done thanks to our baking weekend and cookie exchange with my sisters, SIL and mom, but still have a handful of things I'd like to make.  I still have a little wrapping to do - my least favorite job.  This year we started the tradition of the Elf on the Shelf.  So far I don't think it's working too well, the boys are still naughty ;)  I have several other things I'd like to make traditions at our house during the holidays, but there just never seems to be enough time to do all I want to do.  I'm reading a book called Touching Wonder - Recapturing the Awe of Christmas by John Blase.  I'm only to chapter 3, but it is really good and fitting for this time of year. 

Noble Christmas

Jenae reading the Christmas story

My Dad holding Riley and Aubree

Me and my sisters Lacey, Halie and sister-in-law Erin

 Santa arriving

Kellen was excited to talk to Santa

And Cooper not-so-much

Riley wasn't too fond either

Even my Grandma got to sit on his lap

Cooper got a firetruck

Kellen and Aubree playing - he was the dad and she was the mom

In their 'house'

'Round here lately

The month of November is kind of a blur now.  It's hard to believe Christmas is only a little over 2 weeks away.  So much to do.

 Some of the highlights and one lowlight of November & the first part of December include:

• Our nephew Caden's 3rd birthday
• Kevin was gone deer hunting opening weekend - he didn't see the trophy buck, so he didn't get one.  That's ok with me - we don't like the meat & I definitely don't want a deer head on my wall ;)
• We kept my niece Aubree for a couple days - the boys love having a little girl around to play with
• My Grandpa passed away
• My mom, sisters and I attempted our annual cookie baking weekend.  It was a lot more low key this year.  We wanted to enjoy our time together more than we have past years.
• Thanksgiving - we went to my Grandma's for dinner and then to Kevin's aunt & uncle's house for supper.  That Saturday we went to Omaha for Kevin's mom's side of the family.
• Last Thursday I officially became Catholic. 
• Saturday and Sunday, Kevin and Tyson went to Kansas City to a Chiefs football game with Wade and Kevin's brother Jeff.  This was Tyson's first big football game.  He had a great time.   Early Monday morning Tyson woke up with the stomach flu.  NOT FUN!!   He thought he got it from going to the game.  After we explained to him that you can pick up the flu anywhere, he said he would go to another game sometime.
• On Saturday Kellen, Cooper and I went to the Noble Christmas.  Santa even showed up again this year.  Kellen jumped right up on his lap, but Cooper was scared.  I'll post pictures soon.

Silly boys

 Kellen

Cooper

Tyson

 Tyson came down one morning wearing his brother's jeans.  I must have put them away in the wrong drawer.

 Cousins - the boys with Kelly & Mike's kids.

Cooper, Tyson holding Logan, Kellen, Ali and Caden

I love it when the boys get along together.  They can be so sweet to each other.  Sunday night I let them watch a movie while we were waiting for Kevin and Tyson to get home.