Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we celebrated Jesus being born at church, Jackson happened to see two of his Santa gifts, so then they became Daddy and Mommy gifts, and we set out cookies and milk for Santa.  It was a wonderful day.

Serving Together

On Christmas Eve, we taught the kids at church for one of the services, and Sarah and Jackson helped us!  Sarah usually serves as a teacher at church, but this was Jackson's first time serving, and he did such a great job!  It was so special to be all together!

Birthday Dinner

Saturday night, Bryan took me out to a birthday dinner.  We all had such a great time!

These three are my favorite gifts!

I love them so stinkin' much!

Gingerbread Houses

Saturday morning after breakfast, we did one of our favorite things--gingerbread houses!  

Each year, the competition and smack talk gets more intense!  We all have so much fun!

Papa Bear's, Mama Bear's, Sarah Bear's, and Jackson Bear's

Matching Jammies and Christmas Lights

Friday night, we did one of our favorite things--went to go get hot chocolate and drive around to look at Christmas lights in our jammies!  Only this year, our jammies were matching!  It was the best!

I mean, how cute are we?!

Answer--the cutest!

We had so much fun together!  And it was so cute to hear Jackson sing along to almost all of the Christmas carols as we drove along!

Home Alone

On Friday afternoon, Sarah and I introduced Jackson to the movie, Home Alone.  And just as we suspected, he loved it!  We had more fun watching him crack up over the movie than watching the movie itself!

Christmas Cookies

On Friday, Sarah and I made Christmas cookies.  Poor Jackson would have helped us, but he got sick the night before, so we didn't want to take any chances!  He did supervise, and let us know which cookie cutters he wanted and which sprinkles to use!

I just love being in the kitchen with her!

She's the cutest!

Oh, Christmas Tree

Last Thursday was the kids last day of school, so when Papa Bear got home, we went to one of our favorite little areas to have dinner, walk around, and take pictures in front of the huge Christmas tree.

They're my favorite.

The sweetest.

He's just like his Daddy...

...he can make me laugh like crazy!

I'm so grateful that Sarah captured these!

I mean!

He's my sweetheart.

Jackson's Class Party

Last Thursday, Jackson's last day of school before Christmas break, he had his class party!  It was so fun to go and see him interact with his friends!

His class, and his teacher, Mrs. Beaver, are so cute!

Way to go, Sarah!

Last week, sweet Sarah was nervous to have her first set of high school exams, but she did great on all of them--making a 100 on several of them!  Her English teacher emailed her and me to let us know not only that she received a 100 on her final, but also that she was such a great student!

We are so proud of her grade, but we are overjoyed with her character!  Bryan and I are so grateful to be her parents!

A Date with Awesomeness

On Friday morning, Sarah and I went on our weekly date.  Friday was also Ugly Sweater Day at her school, so she chose to wear Daddy's awesome sweater.  My outfit wasn't nearly as awesome!  When Papa Bear was leaving for work that morning, he kissed her and said, "goodbye, my protégé."

PJ Day

On Friday, Jackson's class got to wear their jammies to school!  It was his idea to wear his robe too!  He was adorable!

Field Trip

This week, I went on Jackson's class field trip!  It was to the Science and History Museum.  We had such a great time together!  At one point, while he was running from exhibit to exhibit, (after I'd told him repeatedly to walk!), he looked back at me and said, "I'm having a great time!  I love you!"  Then, my heart melted.

Breakfast for Dinner

We love breakfast for dinner, and this week, I made Christmas breakfast for dinner!

Red velvet waffles--the kids' favorite!

Pigs in the blanket--everyone's favorite!

 And finally, donut snowmen!

The next day, Jackson asked if we could have this meal every day!

Ugly Sweaters

Last night, we had our monthly Supper Club get together.  Since it was December, we all decided to do an ugly sweater theme!  Bryan and I found his sweater online last month, and he's been so excited to wear it ever since!  I mean, just look at how awesome it is!  His beanie doesn't go with his sweater--he put it on because it was cold out, and I didn't realize it was on in the pictures until after we'd taken them!

In addition to the ugly sweaters, we also did a dirty Santa gift exchange where you can steal gifts that you like that someone else opens.  I was not a fan of this since I don't like stealing!  So, all of mine got taken from me, and everyone thought it was hilarious!  I just kept saying that it says you're not supposed to steal in the Bible...no one seemed to care!  Luckily, my sweet hubby stole this adorable bracelet that I loved back for me!  We also played a few rounds of the game Heads Up and had a blast!  We just love doing life with these amazing friends!  And if we get to wear such great sweaters while doing it, even better!