The holidays brought our traditional celebrations back this year.

We missed some of these things last year because of illness!

It made the celebrations all the more special as we reflected on last year’s holidays and how hard they were.

First up was our annual Christmas caroling to the nursing homes with our church.

Being in the nursing homes ministering to the people there is an all time favorite of mine.

The children really enjoy this too.

We had a HUGE group show up that night – seriously, I think it was almost half of our whole church!

We split into two groups because of that an enjoyed singing to the residents!

Next up was our Christmas celebration service at church.

This is a service where you can sign up to share music, poetry, singing – whatever you like!

Grant and Kamryn surprised us by doing a skit!

We did not know they were going to do this!

It was SO GOOD!!!

Our friends that host Hymn Sing every month shared a song as well, and they are VERY talented!

Finally, it was Christmas weekend.

I was SO excited!!

Kay’s came over that evening after the candlelight service at church, and we all shared hor d’oeuvres together.

It was yummy!!!

Grant and Kamryn came over too!!

It was very fun!!

I must have been focused on the food, because those are the photos I have except for that last photo of some cute munchkins in front of the tree.

After everyone was in bed that night, my head elf (Blake) and I set the gifts under the Christmas tree.

Something about that simple thing brings me so much joy!

The next morning started bright and early as always for me.

I enjoyed some coffee by the tree.

Once everyone was up and Grant and Kamryn were back, we opened gifts together.

And I do not have one photo to share of that, ha, ha!

Except of one cute Ruby Jane who kept eating all of the wrapping paper.

Then everyone played games and built Legos while we waited for Kay’s and some dear friends to come our way at 1:00.

We had a brunch and more gift opening planned!

The food was delicious – even the slightly burnt egg bakes – but the company was even better!

Once we finished eating it was time for Kay’s crew to open gifts from us and for the children to exchange gifts that they had for the sibling gift exchange.

It was super chaotic in the VERY BEST WAY!!!

Blake and I were so touched with some beautiful cards from the children and some money for a weekend get away!!

I cannot wait to plan that!!

I cannot believe Christmas is over!

It went so very fast.

I made LOTS of notes on my lists from this year with changes I hope to make to our food choices and such next year!

Do you all keep lists from year to year?

I would never remember ONE THING if I didn’t!

I still write my lists with a pen and notebook paper, but I think I need an excel spreadsheet for all things Christmas gifts – as our family has grown I need a better way!!

I hope you all had a nice Christmas too!

Such a wonderful time of the year.

Now that January is here, we are hoping for some SNOW!

Happy New Year, friends!!!

Let’s do this 2024!!!