Christmas 2016

We had such a special season celebrating Advent. We knew it would probably be our last Christmas season in our Camden home, so we tried to make the most of every moment! Here are some special times from the month!

Caroline and Eleanor (as Mary and an angel) in our homeschool co-op Preschool Christmas program.

Eleanor with her friend Ivy

We hosted our annual youth ugly Christmas sweater contest/party at our house.

Pretty cool for being the old people.

Some of the best...

AK and I were given some matching Lularoe Christmas leggings from our favorite consultant (and friend)! Thanks, Becca!

This one needs no caption...

Ellie couldn't fall asleep one night, so she and I slept by the Christmas tree. I will treasure these moments forever.

Another night we all slept by the Christmas tree. Caroline slept in really late in the morning and didn't even wake up when we all started moving around. So I had to take a picture!

Our youth progressive dinner weekend ended with the main course in a fancy barn. The girls were looking pretty cute :)

Our church children's choir did a fantastic job presenting the entire story of scripture from Creation to Christ's return (including a couple of Christmas carols as the turning point in the history of mankind).

Here we are ready for the Camden Christmas parade!

We ventured into the big city of Columbia later that day to see Uncle Jonathan in Shandon Baptist's singing Christmas tree. It was impressive!

And then while we were there, we had to do the lights at the zoo with some friends!

All dressed up for church!

Caroline was an angel in Bethesda's preschool Christmas program. 

My parents and brother arrived into town a few days before Christmas and we had such a wonderful time with them.

Candlelight service with Grandma and Grandpa. Caroline held her own candle and was pretty proud of herself!

Decorating cookies with Grandma

The week also included lots of Qwirkle playing!

We took them to see the "Lights of Elgin" displays which include some pretty neat trains.

Christmas Eve picture with Grandma and Grandpa

And some pictures with Paisley and Henry after the service.

Christmas Eve, the girls opened new jammies. This was the first year I made them myself!

Christmas morning began with our traditional first gift. Eleanor unwrapping the baby Jesus.

Here are a few pictures of the girls opening some fun gifts!

Then it was time to head to church for our Sunday morning service. It was busy, but pretty special that Christmas fell on a Sunday this year. What better way to celebrate the birth of Christ than worshiping Him with our church family!

AK's gift from my parents was a Yahtzee game. She lost no time getting some use out of it!

And here's a Christmas afternoon picture of me with my tiny brother...

And Mom and I after a long day of cooking and hosting a wonderful Christmas meal for our family and a few friends!

So thankful for this special season!