All that came before

We had a busy week leading up to Christmas. It all kept me running and am just now getting caught up on all of it. 

The first event was Brendan's school Christmas program.

As you can tell from the first picture, Brendan was thrilled to participate. 

Then we went to Corey's parent's house for the annual Barlow Christmas Family Home Evening. Everyone always has fun talents to share. Then we load up on a trailer, go caroling and deliver MaryAnn's delicious homemade doughnuts.  We end the night by eating doughnuts and drinking hot chocolate. It's such a fun tradition that the kids look forward to every year.

 We made several batches of sugar cookies to take to friends, but on Christmas Eve the kids made and decorated some of their own for Santa. Emery's were not light on the sprinkles.

After opening our new pj's we loaded up in the suburban and went on a drive through the Christmas lights at the Speedway. We thought that was a good way to end our Christmas night and help pass a little time for some anxious kids.

The Holiday

I honestly can't believe how quickly Christmas came and went. We spent a quiet day at home in our pajamas. We have actually spent almost all the break at home in our pajamas. I don't think it's going to be easy to give these days up and start back into a routine. 

We had a great day and everyone was happy.

 

Torturing them by making them taking pictures before we went down to see if Santa came. This is my favorite part of the morning.

 Brendan's loved bow and arrows

 Emery's new dog, from Grandma and Grandpa Barlow. It's been barking in it's wrapping since Thanksgiving. Corey had to keep it in his truck so this kids wouldn't think we had wrapped up a real dog.

 Kayden and Carter were excited to get the gift of cash along with their other presents.

 Emery was everywhere. She just bounced from one person to the next as we opened presents.

 Hailey's pet snake. Santa knew better than to bring a real one here. Toy barking dogs and remote control snakes are good enough pets around here.

 It's not Christmas without oranges.

 The aftermath after the worst of the aftermath was already cleared.

Such a fun day, it's always hard to see it come to a close. I love the Christmas season and look forward to it every year. However I can hardly wait to get it all cleaned up and put away once it's done!

Christmas Wishes

I can't believe how quickly the holiday season crept up on me. This past week just flew by. We had holiday performances at school, made cookies and treats to deliver, mailed our Christmas cards, and finished up our holiday shopping.

We are so excited for the holiday season and the chance to spend it together.

We love and appreciate all of our family and friends and hope you have a happy holiday season too!

Where there is a will, there is a way

Emery's new solution to getting up on the counter. Pushing a chair over to the counter is her usual method, not sure this was the better one. 

 Especially when your pillow tower collapses and you are left dangling from the counter.

The Everyday

 Carter came home from school with this on his ear the other day hoping I would freak out. I just told him that he's lucky it wasn't real or he might have been in a lot of pain from where I pulled it out. 

Speaking of Carter, he finished his swim camp and has been on the swim team for about a month now. He is really doing well, but it's not so great for his hair. I tried to convince him that we should just cut it, but that was not an option to him. Now he just washes after swimming and again before school. It doesn't seem to be making much of a difference though.

We have been playing a lot of Apples to Apples, the Disney version, around here. The kids just think it's the greatest.

 Hailey is such a little artist. She just loves to color. She will bring home her already completed homework packets and then spend all weekend coloring them just for fun.

This was our first Christmas decoration put up this year, it was built by Brendan. Now that everything is out, Emery is a little obsessed with the tree. She always comes right downstairs first thing to make sure the lights are on and insists they stay on all day. I kinda love it though, I would leave them on all day anyway, but now I can just blame it on her.