It has been tradition for years now to start the Christmas season by shopping for and putting together shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

Is it just me, or are things sneaking up on you too?

Like November, for instance?

The kids and I snuck out one afternoon to head to the Dollar store to purchase our shoe boxes.

It is so fun to select gifts for these shoe boxes!

We bought a box for Kayla too, and then a couple of nights later we all got together to pack the boxes and make cards to send inside them as well.

We never need a reason to be all together, but it was fun to have a project to work on!

I helped Tate while Blake helped Eliza.

Someone’s box got sent without a pink slinky!

But this blond hair blue-eyed boy is pretty hard to resist.

Ellie Joy sang to us while we worked!

I know, I know.

I will kiss her for you.

Your welcome!

We had dinner together before we packed the shoe boxes, and then we played a lot too.

I am sure I do not need to mention who the biggest kid is?

This tradition and our cookie baking tradition are two of my favorite things to do all year long!

I never have to be reminded to schedule these things to make sure they get done…but I know some kiddos who would never let me forget!

We are so excited for the Christmas season!!

It is just full of SO MUCH JOY!!

Christmas time kick-off, you were a success!