Christmas

This was the first year we celebrated Christmas together with just our little family. There were so many things I loved about staying home for the Holidays.
No traveling. No Airplanes. No long car rides. No luggage. No living out of suitcases. No exhausted children. No crazy schedules.
There were traditions continued and traditions begun. Our Christmas was small and simple and everything I'd hoped for.

Christmas Eve Evie:






Christmas morning boys:


Santa brought the boys a Marble Works. They love it.
We gave them a few classic games like Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land & Memory.

It was weird not seeing family for Christmas but we have been so lucky to have lots of visitors in the past 6 months. Plus many more are coming the next few months, even days... so we haven't been too sad about it. I think the hustle and bustle of the holidays can get a little overwhelming. I am so grateful for simple pleasures and small moments. For the birth of my Savior and an opportunity to rejoice in Him. I love Christmas.

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Uncle Mike

Russell: Hey Michael
Mike: Ya
Russell: Hey Mike
Mike: Yes Russell
Russell: Hey Mike
Mike: What Russell
Etc...

Glad to see you Mike.

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Kids say it best... Merry Christmas!

A little video from the Sunbeams of the North Bend Ward...



*All credit for the creation and production of this video goes to Tim & Becca Lambson, their amazing Sunday School teachers--.*

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A crowded Nativity

I found our nativity a bit crowded the other day.

When questioned, Samuel just said:
"They wanted to see baby Jesus."

Even Mater, Toothless, Word Girl, DJ, Tinkle Crinkle and more, all want to see baby Jesus.

He is after all, the reason for the Season.

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Look at you girl...

Sitting up on your own! You are so pleased! You roll around exploring all over the place and only just yesterday began to army inch your way around. In no time you'll be crawling and I'll be trying to keep up.



Oh, how I love this smile!

Look closely, there's a tooth there!


Seriously fond of this baby. Totally in love, sort of obsessed, can't get enough--Love her.

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Sweaters

These sweaters were given to me by my mother. My little brother wore them when he was little and she loved them. Now I do too.

Classic Christmas Photo

Love these boys.

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Christmas 4

While celebrating Christmas my true loves did with me:

Sat on Santa's lap and told him what we wanted him to put under the tree.




Russell considers Santa VERY unpredictable! I refused to make him go near him if he didn't want to. Hence---no photo of Russell with Santa.

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Christmas 3

While celebrating Christmas my true loves did with me:

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
Sam's preschool put on a pageant for all of the kid's families.


He's in the center in the blue and white polo shirt

This one is classic. They are all just doing their own thing--Kids are so great.

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Christmas 2

While celebrating Christmas my true loves did with me:

Gingerbread house making. We stuffed ourselves and a house with candy.




*Note* homemade gingerbread is soft and will fall apart if it's not dry and/or thick enough. Leaving it out on the counter only works to dry it out if you live in a drier climate. Opps! Lesson learned.

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Christmas 1

While celebrating Christmas my true loves did with me:

Paper snowflake decorating! We made our own winter wonderland.

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Bandon

Now that life has settled back down a bit we've picked back up our habit of exploring on the weekends.
High up on our list of places to explore-- Bandon, OR

Bandon is only 30 minutes south down highway 101. Old Towne Bandon was a cute little area that must be crawling with tourists during the on season. It's really quaint, has a fairly new vibe for a coastal town and of course, it was supremely beautiful.

We visited the docks, the Coquille River Lighthouse and some local beaches and viewpoints.

At the docks:





Need any live crap?

Views from the jetty:


The lighthouse was small and closed, whether for the season or disrepair, I couldn't tell, but I was particularly fond of the colors adorning it: Teal(oxidized copper), red & cream.







The beaches south of Bandon were incredible. Cathedral rock, the sea stacks & table top rock were beautiful, especially with the churning ocean and grey skies:








Oh, and Santa was there too:

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