Here are the last few weeks from my iphone :) 
New years resolution: Use my camera

The kids opening new PJ's on Christmas Eve.

The kids got some birdseed while we visiting Papa Denning and Nonnie- so we couldn't forget to feed the birds Christmas morning.

Christmas morning breakfast at Momaw and Popaws. Cohen brought his new guitar to play jingle bells- he had a difficult time I think because he tried to go off memorization, was playing on a brand new guitar and in front of a crowd. We couldn't be prouder though that he tried!

Presley claimed to have found Baby Jesus at Momaws. She held onto this GLASS doll all morning!

We were able to get our first order of Raw milk right before Christmas.

Our share is in a cow named "Heart" who is a 5 year old Jersey cow.

We will have a field trip to visit her in the Spring.

One of my favorite Christmas gifts from my Mom :)

This board for our kitchen for our menu!

Funny how you go from wanting toys to clothes to chalkboards

We finished up our Christmas holiday with taking down our tree and Cohen hauling it down to the goat lot to feed the goats.

They like Christmas trees :)

Seriously.

The boys are at Winter Camp this week at the YMCA- I wish I could have some pictures because it looks like they are having so much fun and they have made some really cool crafts I will cherish! Yesterday was swimming in the indoor pool and today they took Cohen's group on the Y bus to go ice skating. How I wish I could have been a chaperone :)

We continued our tradition of the polar express tickets- we get the kids ready for bed and read to them like usual, tuck them in and then they find the gold ticket under their pillow for a ride to look at Christmas Lights :) They are SO excited and get up and run to car which we already have running with snacks and drinks and Christmas music playing. I think they think its extra fun because they should be in bed. Zach and I have gotten smarter over the years and really do this at 6:30 and not bed time. Haha. Either way, the kids literally jump up and down with excitement EACH year we have done this!

Our Advent book we used this year- LOVE this!

Zach read to them as usual.

Then we surprised them with tickets and they came running down the stairs!

Amazed by the lights.

We found Olaf

And PJ  loved the Hello Kitty:)

Our favorite-

The kids each year are to look for the word JESUS or a Nativity Scene. We make it a game

:)

We really enjoy this tradition

2013 

2012

The funny part is if you look at the past posts it is the EXACT same each year- the lights, this last picture, and Duke always goes with us.

NC

We went down to NC this past weekend to visit Papa Denning and Nonnie for Christmas. The kids were beyond excited :) Each kid got a special gift from them- a gift certificate to a local toystore in downtown Brevard, NC to pick anything they wanted.

Outside of OP Taylors Toystore. The kids had to look for the Nutcrackers to find the store.

Two stories of toys beyond toys

We each split up with a child.

I had Pres :)

Cohen and Caleb didn't venture much past the room full of Legos.

I think Zach enjoyed it too!

It was also a great learning experience because the children had a certain dollar amount they could not go over so at the end some at to put things back or add more things to their list. Papa Denning wanted to spend the exact amount on all the children. I think Cohen and Caleb both came back with some money because they were under their limit and Presley went over her limit but we used Cohen's money to make up the difference.

Great math lesson.... in between the excitement :)

Then ventured through Brevard and ate at this fun diner.

Cohen really wanted to protect his Legos.

We had a great trip and a great visit! 

Thank you Papa Denning and Nonnie.

Candy Cane

Every time I see a candy cane hanging on a tree

I can't help thinking of the one who gave his life for me

Everything about a candy cane from its color to its shape

reminds me of my Saviors love- that's why I celebrate

A candy cane of red and white

Could just be my favorite sight

Those stripes remind me Jesus paid the price.

Like a shepherd he'll protect me

from the harmful things of life

Through my journeys he'll be walking by my side

A candy cane can taste so sweet

its my favorite Christmas treat

And I can taste the kindness of our Lord

He has offering to forgive me

And to wash me white as snow

I'm his child now and I want the world to know

Next time you see a candy cane hanging on a tree

Stop long enough to ask yourself if a treat is all you see

'Cause everything about a candy cane from its color to its shape

reminds me of my Saviors love- that's why I celebrate.

 

Preschool Christmas Party

We just love our local library they are always having events for kids :)  Today was a preschool Christmas party- Caleb was out of Tot School so he got to join with us along with Grammy! 

He didn't waste anytime walking in and grabbing jingle bells!

AND! Surprise! Santa showed up. This is the first time our kids have seen Santa- and they loved him 

Caleb hugged him twice.

Presley however did not like Santa.

So she stuck with the crafts.

Our sweet middle child

Cohen and I stayed in the kids section of the library and read and played CandyLand while Grammy stayed with Caleb and PJ during the preschool party -but he wanted to join in and see Santa.

:)

A really fun cute party!

What we have been up to

The other day we went to our neighbors house to make Christmas cookies. The kids really enjoyed this :)

 

Cohen brought his own cookies to decorate don't worry he wasn't left out

 

I can't stop sharing these sweet pictures of Cohen and his chicken

 

Friday we went to the Nutcracker with some people from our CC group. This was nice that they have included Homeschoolers into the school showing!

There were 282 homeschoolers there!

This picture says everything about how they felt.

Just kidding- Caleb enjoyed it the most!

 

This photo courtesy of Cohen- he was amazed how many students were there.

 

Our attempt at a photo.

This is why we don't send Christmas cards.

Merry Christmas :)

 

Officer Harris

This is how Caleb came out of rest time, full uniform. He really loves playing police officer and learning about them! He asked for "real tickets" for Christmas so he can write people tickets.

Bless his heart.

 

Cohen wanted Honey Mustard to see our Christmas Tree so he brought her in this morning to show her. I'm sure she was impressed. He asked if she could come in Christmas morning, and have her own stocking:)

 PS- Thanks to Zach who brought in the tree, cut it to fit, trimmed branches and then decorated the entire thing. He is really in the Christmas spirit!

In other news Cohen had to have some blood work done this morning and he is one of the bravest little boys I know!

We took school with us.

This face!

 

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

We found a beautiful 9ft tree Saturday from a local tree farm

:)

The kids enjoyed it and seemed to have a really fun job hunting for the perfect tree!

 

 

Easily Entertained

No matter the weather these children love to play outside.  This past weekend they were outside and made forts (with the help from their Dad) : )

  Caleb and Presleys fort- they thought this was amazing.
 A board and 2 blankets. Guess its what is inside the fort that makes it fun.

Cohen wanted his own.

2 boxes and a bunch of blankets!