Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

After a season of preparation - lighting our weekly Advent candles, Jesse Tree devotionals, Advent hymns, adoration (and lots of baking!) - it is such a JOY to celebrate Christmas.  

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."  

Luke 2:11-14

Christmas is a big deal!  Our Christmas celebration consists of lots of traditions our kids eagerly anticipate.  Traditions give this holiday more significance and helps to bring our family together creating lasting memories.  There is so much excitement surrounding Christmas!   

"It's the most wonderful time of the year."

Christmas Eve traditional family recipe turkey dinner feast

Christmas Eve Mass at our neighborhood parish 

(with reservations due to Covid restrictions)

Christmas in Yellowstone documentary

Santa Tracker

hanging up stockings and setting out cookies

 

Christmas Morning!

rising early ;)

 unwrapping the first gift of Christmas: Jesus

opening up stocking gifts 

(including one piece of coal  - a reminder that no one is perfect)

breakfast of cinnamon rolls and breakfast casserole

final Jesse Tree ornament hung

gift exchange

meat, cheese, and fruit tray lunch

family games

traditional family recipe ham dinner

Christmas carols

family FaceTime calls 

poker :)

We love celebrating Christmas together at home.  But we also always look forward to visiting with family after the holidays.  Due to the Covid pandemic, our 2020 holiday was a bit different and more isolated.  We missed celebrating Christmas with our extended family!  

 

"Someday soon we all will be together
If the fates allow
Until then we'll have to muddle through somehow
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now."

 

 

 

December Snow - day 2!

 

Sunshine and snow, such a beautiful day for this second of December!  

The kids were motivated to finish school early so they could go outside to enjoy our winter wonderland before it melts away . . . 

Snow!

 

The first day of December, the third day of Advent, was welcomed with the most gorgeous blanket of snow.  Our kids had been feeling especially nostalgic for their former Minnesota home - this early Ohio snowfall was a gift.  

*Alarie's first Snow!

November Snapshots

outdoor walks

school

paper dolls

"new" Jeep (!)

XC Meet of Champions

road trip to Indiana

new driver (Learner's Permit)

virtual ballet

karate belt test

blue belts!

baking

Thanksgiving

pictures hung

Christmas decorations

SNOW!

exersaucer

 backyard bonfire

lego parties

6 Months

 Our beautiful angel baby is 6 months old!

Where has the time gone!?  It's hard to believe it's been half-a-year since we got the call that a baby girl was born in Georgia.  In the midst of a global pandemic, she has been such an uplifter to us all.  She's been the best thing!

Alarie Adeola is a gift to us all.  We are so thankful for this sweet babe!

At 6-months-old:

15 lbs. 2 oz. (10th percentile)

26 inches (30th percentile)

she's a little bitty

grabs at faces

coos

grunts and clears her throat ("ahem")

says "hey!" (sounds like it!)

loves her paci

reaches for paci and pops it into her mouth

flips over onto her back from her tummy

does crunches

*has strong abs!*

smiles with her eyes ;)

has the best giggle

clasps her tightly together

still sleeps best swaddled

strong girl!

wiggle worm

sleeps 8-9 hours at night

takes 5 bottles/day (6-7 ounce)

size 2 diapers

3-6 mo. clothing

grabs her blankie

snuggle bug

loves to be held

sits on the table during dinner and "talks" to everyone 

"mocks" us ;)

she's the perfect baby

 

lights up our home!

 

We marvel at this girl all day.  She has 14 of us wrapped around her little finger - we are a very willing captive audience.  She brightens up our world  - every grin and giggle, every excited kick, every coo and look of recognition, every new trick or discovery, every milestone reached.  She is such a joy! 

She is so loved by so many.  

We are so thankful for her.

We love you Alarie!