We waited until the weekend after Thanksgiving to get our tree. As a result, a lot of trees had already been chosen.
The reindeer freaked out Josiah (I hope ya’ll know I’m kidding), but we managed to track down one tree that we thought was wide enough (but not too wide) and tall enough (but not too tall).
Going on a sleigh ride.
As it turns out it was the perfect width…but the height…well, this is the tallest tree we have ever had. It was huge!
But gorgeous!
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know it’s April. But, at least I’m in 2017 now!
Our New Year was a little low key. The day before we had a couple of random sickies which canceled our plans to hang out with our church family. As a result, we were awake, refreshed and alert in church the next day. Per Ukrainian tradition, the kids received small gifts and then we enjoyed fireworks with neighbors in the evening.
I finally got Clue! Ya’ll, I have wanted the game Clue since I was a little girl. This year, I watched the Black Friday sales and grabbed it up. Mark wrapped it and put it under the tree for me! Yes. He did.
The world’s worst photo but we gave it what we could. Our dear friends from across the street came over and watched Mark put on a show. We do it early enough so the littles can get rest. This was special for us because our neighbors moved away at the end of the month. Still hard knowing that we can’t just skip across the street for a chat.
We were excited that Papa and Grandmere were able to celebrate Christmas with us during December.
We had a different Christmas gift tradition we started this year. Still not sure we’ll do it every year, but it worked for this year. We chose to give the kids experiences instead of more stuff. Ya’ll, we have a ton of stuff. A ton! They really don’t need stuff. So, after lots of brainstorming, we decided to take a trip to a homeschool conference where their current favorite author (who just happens to be one of my most favorite musician/artist/songwriter) as well as a trip to The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum.
Lining up to go to the Sibling Shop. The kids draw names and then “shop” in the goodies available for that sibling.
All the kids gathered together to hear What God Wants for Christmas.
Okay, we did get them a few small things and some stocking gifts (which are dvds or audio cds).
Tot got some fun ears.
Trying to figure out where they were going.
See, I was there too!
Still in December. It worked out perfectly to spend time at Ge and Granddaddy’s house celebrating Christmas and December birthdays the week Emmie had her MRI and appointment with her neurosurgeon.
We even got some good visiting time with Uncle J and Aunt Yaya and family.
Present time is always exciting.
Oh man, I don’t know if Emmie is excited about another baby or not. 😉
Aunt Yaya’s family was in-between houses during Christmas, so I made up a fun gift for the niece and nephew. Lots of fun goodies tucked in there. I know they are old teenagers but they can still have fun. I’m pretty certain I win the Crazy-Old-Aunt Award.
Double piggies…this girl!
Granddaddy’s hat is always fun to try on.
There is a Lego store just down from where Ge and Granddaddy live. A big one! We took the kids there the day before MRI day and we all had a blast.
You can create your own mini-figures. So, I made one of Emmie’s neurologist and one of her neurosurgeon. Next time we go, I’ll have to actually make them and buy them for the docs!
Emmie loved this little table.
Drawers ya’ll. Drawers full of Lego bricks everywhere! 
Thanksgiving weekend was spent with Ge and Granddaddy. Always a blast. Especially when we can watch Alabama beat Auburn!
Ace exploded sticks-a gift from Aunt Yaya and Uncle J.
We went downtown (before the game, of course), to celebrate Small Business Saturday. 
Bryant loved his birthday gift from Aunt Yaya and Uncle J.
Emmie was ready for the game.
Silas enjoyed Steak n’ Shake this time.
Our 4th of July was low key this year. And hot. After enjoying a traditional grill out and before fireworks, we enjoyed a yummy yogurt and blueberry treat!
We tried to make the most of our Christmas but I would be lying to say there wasn’t a constant nagging that someone was missing. There were lots of prayers throughout our festivities and we managed to have fun and make memories. Thankfully, we had some dear friends who were in Y’s country and they arranged to have a gift mailed to our brave one while we wait.
A fun time at the lights.
The kids finally realized that they could get up early this year and wake us up too. And so they did. When we get up, we read the Christmas story before heading downstairs to open gifts.
Already for Christmas! This year was the first year since the kids were really little that we actually wrapped presents before Christmas Eve. It was fun watching the kids try to figure out what they were getting. Then again, Frodo the Cat ruined the surprises by opening up a couple of gifts. 
She knows where her gifts are!
Traditional picture in front of the tree. Malachi has a matching shirt but it “was too big.” We pick our battles around here.
Burying the Malachi in presents.
He broke free.
A box. Woo-hoo
Fuzzy blankets
And something for Bitty Baby to ride in.
This wasn’t really a gift. Our mixer that we have had since we were married started to go bad. We had a friend who was able to fix it, but we started talking about the need for a larger mixer. The holiday deals meant we could get a larger mixer for less than one like what we already had. It’s proven to be a wise investment.
Mark decided a few years ago that he wanted to get me something every year that we could add to. He knows I love nativity/creche sets and so he researched. After some time, he settled upon the Fonatanini sets. I received Mary, Joseph and Jesus and then the wisemen (an inside joke on why they had to be second), he told me they needed some shelter. I look forward to these each year.
After all the gifts and a yummy brunch, Mark needed a nap.
Even Frodo the Cat got a gift.
He also enjoyed the kids’ gift.
We love having birthdays and Christmas all rolled in to one month. No, really, we do. It means we get to visit more with family!
Papa and Grandmere came down before Christmas to celebrate Zoe and Liam’s birthdays. They got the added bonus of participating in some of our Christmas traditions.
Dipping pretzels. And opening gifts.
And goofing around with Papa.
Before Christmas, we were able to make a run to Ge and Granddaddy’s house that didn’t include a trip to appointments for Emmie! Yay! 
We also celebrated our December birthdays with them and enjoyed cake.
This was a couple of days before we officially had a teenager in the house.
Candid moments before the gift opening began. Ge had a great idea this year that we would watch everyone open their gifts. It was perfect because usually all any of us see is paper flying everywhere.
This time we were able to get pictures.
Seriously, most appropriate shirt for our Liam!
My boys are super happy about Lego!
The most anticipated reaction from all of us was when Emmie opened her gift from Ge and Granddaddy. I have to say that she did not disappoint at all.
Emmie Meets Bitty Baby pt 1 from justabunchofcharacters on Vimeo.
VID_20151219_131528021 from justabunchofcharacters on Vimeo.
We absolutely love spending time with our family!
