Christmas

Christmas day was so sweet this year.

We started Christmas morning like we always do--Bryan and I set our alarm to get up extra early so we can have coffee, talk about how wonderful Jesus is, and watch the sun come up.  It's one of our favorite parts of the whole day.  After we did all that, and waited a little more, we finally woke the kids up!

Jackson was super excited about the huge Nerf gun he asked for!

Daddy and Diamond, just watching.

Another Lego set...which he's already built!

This was Sarah's favorite gift--a painting of Diamond!

We call her Lady Diamond a lot, so the dress in the painting was very fitting!

J's painting was of Diamond as a storm trooper.

Sweet.

One of Sarah's favorites.

After presents, we celebrated the true reason for Christmas--precious Jesus.

And on our way home from Bryan's parents' house, we stopped at a beautiful tree and snapped a picture!

 

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was pretty quiet and pretty wonderful this year.  Bryan was on call, so he had to work until a little after noon, but then he was home for the rest of the day and night!  We picked up Italian food and watched church online and let the kids open one of their gifts.

Jack was excited about his Legos, 

and Sarah was excited about this book!

And then before bed, we put the cookies out for Jackson!  He found out earlier this year that Santa's not real (sad), so he couldn't wait to be able to eat the cookies this year!

 

State Marching Band Competition

Two weeks ago, Bryan and I headed to San Antonio to cheer on Sarah in the State Marching Band Competition!

Us in the stand, proudly wearing Sarah's button!

This is the band getting ready to take the field.

The drum majors marching out.

Sarah and Katie doing their salute.

Sarah conducting the band during the warm up.

Sarah running to the front during the first movement to continue conducting,

Sarah conducting!

The show was the best they've ever performed it!

After the performance, Sarah gave an interview about the show and the season.

She did an amazing job!

After the show, Sarah texted us and asked if we could meet up while they were getting dinner!  We were so excited to see her for a few minutes and tell her what an awesome job she and the band did!

After we watched a few more shows, it was time for the announcement of places.  Our band got 1st!  This is the other drum major, Katie, accepting their trophy!  It was so much fun to watch them receive 1st place!  And, one of our high school band directors had been one of the judges, so that made the whole thing even more fun!

We meet her after the announcement and took this picture!  We are so stinkin' proud of her!  

Us driving home the next day...he's my favorite travel buddy!