*~Christmas Time Is Here~*

It's the most wonderful time....of the year! 

Liam NOT SO SURE about Santa at Church.

I tell you what...I have always LOVED Christmas time. Everything about it. Seeing it through the eyes of a child though....pure bliss. My kiddos (Liam especially) is SUPER excited for Christmas. One thing we taught the kids right away is the true meaning of Christmas. When we ask Liam what Christmas is, he responds "Jesus' Birthday!!!" It melts my heart to hear him say that because I feel that the meaning of Christmas has been masked by presents, Santa, elves, lights, trees, etc. Now don't get me wrong.....we enjoy every minute of Santa and presents (etc), but Jesus is the #1 reason for the season in our house. We have a beautiful Nativity set that is placed on our piano. Liam is able to pick out baby Jesus, Mary, and Big Jesus (Joseph..haha). 

So a goal I have in the coming years (since we have a fairly new, little family) is to start some fun traditions. I love hearing traditions of Brad's younger years and my younger years. I want to be able to sit around and tell my grandchildren all about the fun things we do every Christmas season. So...here is what we have started or are going to start this year:

Noah eating Mommy's ice cream.

Daddy and the boys at Young's.

Ray Mar Estates: There is a housing community south of Springfield that makes it their every goal to out-do the other homes with their Christmas lights and decor. I had no idea that the boys would love it as much as they did. Noah would even let out a few "Wow"s. It was so fun! The next evening we were heading to the mall and Liam asked where the lights were. Of course, we HAD to add Young's Dairy ice cream to this tradition.

Town Parades: We are so lucky to have two great Christmas parades in town. Saturday, Dec 3, we went downtown at 10am for the parade. I have never seen Liam with more CANDY! He was in candyland! haha! It was a great parade. The marching band was in it and Liam just watched in amazement. He FROZE in place when he saw Buzz and Woody walking down the street. They are his FAVORITE! 
                               The other parade we went to was Tuesday, Dec 13th and it was put on by Lake Avenue Christian Church. They did a wonderful job and Liam still talks about it. There were two firetrucks (which Liam is NOW obsessed with Firetrucks) and the members of the church walked around passing out toys and cookies. There was also great music. The awesome part was that they did it at 7pm, so it was neat for Liam to see the firetruck lights.

Mommy-Made Christmas Shirts: Yesterday I had the GREAT idea (Brad will not agree) to make shirts for Christmas Day! They are super adorable.....and yes....Brad and I {along with the boys} will be wearing the festive reindeer shirts. Now every year I will make a different shirt. I think it is a great tradition. Silly, fun, something to look forward to. 

December 2011 Shirts (I wasn't done with Brad's when I took the pic.)

Singing at the Nursing Home: Friday, Dec. 23rd, Brad and I are packing up the kids, the piano (portable one, of course), and the rest of the family. We will all go up to the nursing home in town to sing carols to the patients there. Giving back and paying forward is very important to me and to teach my children. 

Birthday Cake: In honor of our blessed Jesus' Birthday, I hope to make a birthday cake for Christmas Day and get a balloon. I {again} find it so important to instill in our children that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. I think they will love to have a birthday party. 

Elf on the Shelf: Best buy of the SEASON! OH my. The kids {again...Liam especially} LOVES waking up, running around the house, looking for that crazy elf. It is fun for Brad and I to figure out funny, creative ways to move him around the house. You MUST MUST MUST buy this for your kiddos. 

Santa Boy

So....these are our Christmas traditions we are starting! There will probably be more to come. :)  I wish you all a blessed Christmas and a Happy New  Year!