Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve consisted of Christmas Mass (the kids were awesome and church was PACKED...McKayla cracked me and another lady up when she was walking Bodie back down the aisle after listening to the priest read a Christmas story...when she got to me she said, "Bodie was good, but a little hyper for me mom"). She's such a big helper and awesome big sis! After church we went to Sylvia and Scott's for their annual Christmas party/dinner and Todd got off of work in enough time to just make dinner :-). The kids got to open 1 gift (Christmas pjs). When we got home we got a cookie & milk for Santa, cheese for Santa Mouse, and a carrot for the reindeer (which Bodie tried to eat). As I was singing McKayla to sleep we all of a sudden heard sleigh bells and "Ho,Ho,Ho" outside her window. I asked her what it was and she said, "SANTA MOM!". I told her he was probably at the neighbors house...at this point she pushed me away and  told me to hurry and brush my teeth and go to bed...the look on her face was PRICELESS. Todd and I enjoyed some quiet time together after that and once everything was said and done I could hardly sleep (plus the fact that Bodie came up and took over our bed at 2:30 in the morning). I can't even explain how much fun it was this year with McKayla truly understanding who Santa is and the excitement that brings. Bodie might not totally understand yet, but he fed off of McKayla's excitement and she helped him understand...he can do a PERFECT "Ho,Ho,HO". Watching them this year really brought back the "magic" of Christmas for me.

Countdown to Christmas

Zoo Lights

Last night we went to the Zoo Lights with my mom. We got all bundled up, had yummy hot chocolate, rode on the carasel and had a really good time. Not many of the animals were out, but we did get to see the seals playing and one of the tigers was being really active and roaring (video below). We also came home with 2 new friends...McKayla got a turtle she named flower and Bodie got a snake he named Roar (at first his name was "Mine" and Bodie kept him in his bag...I guess we looked like we were going to take him or something :-). It's definitely something we would recommend. After we left, we went by Christmas Street which is always a fun tradition.

Merry Christmas

We hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing Christmas! We are very much looking forward to spending low key time with family and friends!

Gingerbread Houses

Bodie definitely ate more of his decorations :-)

Family Dinner

On Monday, we were able to get together with 3 of Todd's siblings and their families for dinner at Todd's restaurant. The kids had a great time together and they were SO good even though we were there for a long time. It was really fun being able to catch up with everyone and we only wish we could've had Kim's family and Todd's parents with us :-)

P.S. Sorry for the low quality pics...had to use my phone

These girls have SO much fun together!!!

Peace

Peace

In a complex and oft-confusing world,

When life's details

Get in the way of living,

And mounting worries

Crowd out simple beauty

Of snow and silence,

Fresh water and flowers,

When tragedy strikes without warning

And suffering arrives unannounced,

Then most of all

We must cling to what is truly beautiful:

Children, love, laughter, dreams,

Wisdom, wonder, all that friendship means,

Rearranging priorities, and taking time

To discover what is alien,

What is really mine.

'Tis then confusion softens, storms, cease,

'Tis then descends the gift of private peace.

May such peace surround our lives

And fill our space,

May peace transform our hearts and thus our race.

~ James Kavanaugh