This shot was from a couple of weeks ago, when we finally got the tree lit but before it was decorated. Thomas was getting over being wary of the tree and becoming interested. It’s definitely one of my favorite images from the season.
Our annual Christmas Eve shot, before church. I’m so amazed we’re all looking at the camera! I just love all these people!!
We went to the 7pm Christmas Eve service at church. We got there early enough to snag a front row seat, since I had to be there to rehearse with Sola Gratia. Because we were just singing in one spot in the service, I was able to sit with the family and just pop up to sing. It would have been mean to Matt to make him wrangle everyone. :) I didn’t manage to take one single picture during the service (you know I usually sneak a few!), but it was beautiful and the kids did great.
At a couple of points in the service I nursed each baby one at a time, which I feel like I’m able to do pretty discreetly after all these years of nursing. :) Anyway, even though my babies are getting closer to big ol’ boys this year, it made me feel kind of connected to Mary. Rev. Jim said something at some point about Mary nursing Jesus, and I just smiled, nursing one of my little ones.
We got home, got new pajamas opened, and got everyone in bed before it was tooooo late. Then Matt and I set to work cleaning up the super pit of a house and finishing wrapping and setting out presents. I was sick over the weekend and the kids were all sick last week, so I was just so behind on housework. It felt so nice to put things at least closer in order; it felt like I had been just drowning in mess and chaos. :)
Here’s my annual fireplace picture I take every year on Christmas Eve. It looks a little sad without a tree in the shot, but they were elsewhere this year.
Christmas morning I made the kids pose in front of the tree in my room before getting to open their presents.
I took most of the pictures I snapped of our day and put them into collages. The babies looooooved crawling around and investigating the mess during the present opening. The big kids loved helping them open their presents. :)
The beautiful tree below is Mamma and Pop’s tree. We spent the afternoon there, enjoying time with family. We also made a quick stop over at Gran and Grandpa David’s house. Gran was working, but we wished Merry Christmas to the family there. I will have to get those pictures from David and do an update post later.
It is HARD to get all five kiddos posed for a shot, but these two are so easy!!
You know that song – “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth” – well, Joanna’s version involves her EIGHT front teeth. She lost two bottom teeth all on her own, but then the dentist extracted SIX more last week. Her front four permanent teeth were coming in, and there was no room. She was such a trooper though, and she looks so adorable!!
Merry Christmas to you all!!
