Sunday, January 1, 2017

Christmas 2016

What a wonderful Christmas this year!!

We made & decorated gingerbread houses with Braylon & Miley Grace, went to Lake Lanier’s Night of Lights (& Cracker Barrel) with Papa, Jade, & Will, baked cookies & delivered them to friends, decorated gingerbread men with Grammy & Granddaddy, saw Santa at Bass Pro, went to a kid’s Christmas musical at Free Chapel, took Jase to his first movie, visited my aunt & sister’s church for a Christmas Party, got to visit Chelsi & Chad, and watched Granddaddy sing in his Christmas program at church. We read lots of stories about Baby Jesus, watched lots of Christmas movies & read lots of Christmas books I checked out from the library, drove around and looked at lights, sang Christmas songs, and drank hot cocoa. We also decorated (& undecorated and redecorated) the tree many times (thanks for all your help, Baby Kade…)& even cut down our own tree from the Christmas tree farm for the first time this year! (Thanks Doss fam for spotting us the cash so we could actually take it home! Ha!)

We spent Christmas Eve at Papa’s house (driving through Dahlonega square at Christmas time…pure magic! It is GORGEOUS!) where Jimmy (Aunt Jade) made a yummy dinner and we exchanged gifts. This has been our Christmas Eve tradition since before Jonathan and I even got married. Jase got a big boy bicycle he’s been asking for since September! The boys loved running around and playing with Will & Jade and always love seeing Papa.

Kade was actually sick on Christmas Eve and threw up a few times that afternoon, so we didn’t know if we’d make it. That NEVER happens, so I was pretty certain it was either from teething OR he is indeed allergic to chocolate. He had a chocolate covered nut the day before at a friend’s house, and the only two other times he’s had chocolate (that I know of- it was chocolate milk both times- from Daddy once and Granddaddy the other time) he puked. Still not 100% sure which was the culprit, but we will be staying away from chocolate just to be on the safe side. He still acted totally fine- no fever- and was not sick any more after that.

Christmas morning we had to wake the boys up around 8:30 and they took their sweet time opening presents and their stocking. It was SO much fun!! I got their gifts from Olllie’s  (they have great books/crafts/art projects) & Five Below. Kade loves to play with any kind of ball, and the fishing game was one of their faves. Jase also got a “special yo-yo” he’d randomly been asking for. (Literally, I bought a yo yo that happened to say “special yo yo” on it. And apparently Big Jon has a hidden talent- he can yo-yo like a boss!) We didn’t make a huge deal about Santa, but we did talk about him a little and leave out a note and cookies. The next morning we told Jase he came & left a couple of gifts. I was still on the fence about it, but Jonathan is pretty adamant about doing the whole Santa thing so I am following his lead.

We headed to Grammy’s to have Christmas with al of the aunts & uncles and cousins around 10:15. She had the whole kitchen and sitting room area decorated super cute in a candy cane theme & we played several fun Minute-to-Win-It games with the whole fam. Jase is super competitive! (Not sure where he gets it?) We ate a delicious brunch, played a white elephant game, and then headed outside. Y’all, it was like 75 degrees! We were all sweating, but the boys had a blast. Kade rode the 4-wheeler for like 2 hours. Kid is fearless! Jase loved running around with his cousins. My back (pelvis) was bothering me a little so I tried to take it easy. I did make a french toast custard casserole dish & some sliced fruit dip to take over.

We came back home and took a super long nap! Papa, Jimmy, & Will came to our house Christmas night so we could have another yummy supper & spend some time playing with the new toys. We made sandwiches from leftover ham & turkey from the night before.

This was a great reminder to me to get out my REAL camera & be more intentional about taking pictures next year. I didn’t take nearly enough this year, and they were all on my phone. Boo!

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We were all sad to see Christmas go! It’s our favorite time of year. It just feels magical and we love all of the family time, traditions, and sweet memories. Jase said he wanted to say “Abra Cadabra” and make it Christmas time again. Us too, buddy.

More than anything, we are so thankful for that tiny baby, born in a manger all those years ago, so we could have a Savior. Praying our boys all understand and love the TRUE meaning of Christmas. It is overwhelming how sweet it is that God loves us all enough to give us that gift.

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. – 2 Corinthians 9:15

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:10-14

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