Christmas Eve/Christmas Day

On Christmas Eve the kids set cookies and coke out for Santa and carrots out for the reindeer. Jordan doesn't believe in Santa anymore but plays along for Jacob. Christmas morning the kids woke up around 7:15, ready to dive into the gifts. We read the Christmas story and did a devotion with kids before they opened their gifts. They were extremely excited with everything they received. Jacob is on a wrestling kick this year. He is not allowed to watch it on t.v., his dad handed down his wrestlers from childhood and ever since then, he's been obsessed with it! A few buddies from school watch it too and that added fuel to the fire! Santa brought him a few wrestlers and a ring. He also received an MP3 player and more wrestlers and a DS game from us. Jordan is on an Air Jordan kick this year. He got a hat, socks, bag, a DS game, book, and an IU hat. They both received the Home Alone box set for their new Christmas movie for the year. The most exciting gift they received was tickets to the IU vs Ohio St. game. Jordan melted down, cried and cried because he was so excited. He has never reacted to a gift like that before. We had them open all the gifts and their stockings and took the wrestlers and things out of their packages. They sat there for 10-15 mins and we followed what the dad in A Christmas Story does. Brad told the boys he saw something on the fireplace. He told them Santa must have left something up there for them to go check it out. Once they saw the envelope, it was over! Jordan immediately started screaming, then the screaming turned to crying. It was perfect. Not as perfect as the gift of Jesus on that Christmas morning. Thank you Lord for sending your spotless lamb to die for our sins, so that we might live again!

Christmas Eve with the Fuller's

Christmas Eve we always spend with Brad's parents. This year we had an Italian Christmas again, with spaghetti and meatballs/italian sausage, garlic bread, salad and desserts galore. The kids received tons of nice things. Jordan got Madden '11 for his XBOX360, an Air Jordan shirt and shoes, a Boonville hoodie and an XBOX controller. Jacob got a Razor scooter, Boonville hoodie, 2 DS games, an XBOX 360 game and a hot wheel track. The boys were so happy with everything they received, they are blessed little boys! We visited most of the day Christmas Eve and watched A Christmas Story. Then we ventured home in the snow, that was a trip. We slid side ways but Brad does good driving in bad weather. He remained calm, me not so much. The snow was beautiful, so thankful that the Lord protected us!

Cookies at Mamaw and Papaw's House

This year our cookie tradition was at my parents new house. They moved in around Thanksgiving and are still getting settled. Jordan didn't help make cookies this year, which makes me sad. He's growing up and it's something I just have to deal with. The two younger boys had fun and did a great job decorating the sugar cookies. This has been a tradition for about 8 years, we started it when Jordan was a little guy. My moms sugar cookies are the best, we not only enjoy decorating them but eating them too!

Santa Claus, Indiana

Saturday evening we went to see the Santa Claus Land of Lights at Lake Rudolph and then visited Santa's Candy Castle. We went with our friends The Beard's and Jacob brought another friend from church, Christopher because Jordan wanted to spend the night with my parents. Jordan doesn't believe in Santa anymore, he still plays along for his brother. The lights were beautiful, the kids (excluding Jake) took turns reading the story about Rudolph. Once we drove through the park, we headed to the castle. The kids played with snow that was fake but felt real, it was really neat but expensive stuff! We ordered some yummy hot chocolate and frozen hot chocolate. The frozen hot chocolate was so good but it was so much sugar, it made me sick on the way home! Then we ventured outside to try chestnuts roasted by an open fire. The information the gentlemen presented us was so interesting but the chestnuts were nasty. I think only 2 of us (and they were kids) liked them. Let's just say if they were the last thing on Earth to eat, I'd starve! We had a wonderful evening spending time with friends and enjoying the Christmas season!