Pre and Post Christmas festivities

Slightly overdue as usual, but right on time for me. I live by the "better late than never" motto on this blog. We've had a blessed Christmas season. It has been a season of teaching not just about baby Jesus the Savior being born but what does that even mean for us every other day of our year?! Like I've mentioned before we are doing our best to teach our kids Christmas is about Jesus and giving and not Santa Clause and receiving, but it's like swimming up stream in our culture. I'm praising God for other friends, family and church that support these principles along with us. On the way home from church today Kai was lamenting that Christmas is over and Addie just refused to believe it. I know girl, the season just has the tendency to give you warm fuzzy's inside and you just don't want it to end. Although that could also be the tremendous amounts of chai tea and hot chocolate we've been consuming....but either way. The Merry Christmas season was awesome all around, spanning from Thanksgiving to after New Years for us. We did travel to SD for Christmas where I did not exercise my own camera much.....so I will have to post something about that a little later (hopefully before next Dec). This is my version of picture highlights backwards (obviously only including things I thought to photograph) No city slickers here.....we acquired some new weapons as gifts and now everyone can utilize one (or two)! It's the gift that just keeps on giving at our house! I believe this is a lesson in smiling and showing your teeth. Addie the teacher, Eli the student, and Kai the class clown? New Years Eve with our awesome friends Mike and Tammy. Story time MUCH before midnight. My surprise anniversary overnight at Cheyenne Mtn Resort......awesome! Skate Church Christmas Party......a few ugly sweaters. White elephant gift exchange....I think we came away with a '67 corvette. Not bad huh?? Did I mention model size? Group shot...yes, soon enough we will no longer fit in this room....praise God for that! Having all the kids during Skate Church is a party in itself! Sarah and I whipped up a 'better than usual' meal and quite a spread of cookies! Large sunglasses voted best gift! Quite becoming on Eli as well. Father/Son sledding trip. Matt and Derrick took Campbell and Kai to the elementary school nearby for some afternoon sledding. We hit the Cheyenne Mtn Zoo Christmas Lights display this year....very fun and very cold. Here's the boys enjoying a hot chocolate break. Family shot in front of the lit Christmas tree. Goofy Christmas headbands Our magnificent family gingerbread house! Yes pre-made but wonderfully decorated. Addie adding sprinkles to our Christmas cookies. Lots of help on these cookies and lots of excitement about bringing out the sprinkles! Kai and Addie finishing off the peanut butter blossoms with a kiss for a cookie exchange. We may have snuck a few kisses.