Christmas Morning at Our House

opening the one present he asked Santa for
he was SO excited!!!

helping Samson with his stocking

taking a spin on his new scooter
more pics to come on this

Some of Our Holiday Fun

We had a lot of fun over the Christmas season. I need to backtrack just a bit to fill you in on some of the fun!!

First up, we had a little Christmas party with some of our friends from church. It was such a fun time!!! I did a snowman theme with snowflakes hanging from the ceiling, fake snow on the counters, and snowmen everywhere. After the kids played and we ate some yummy snacks we did a story and craft time.

listening to "Snowmen at Night"

then we made snowmen with cottonballs

trying to get a semi-group pic
several of the tikes are missing

One night we went with Jared's parent's to the live nativity in Murfreesboro. It was so neat. I really felt like I was experiencing what it was like back when Jesus walked the earth. The church puts the whole thing on. We walked into the "fields" and the shepherds were there with the sheep. Then we entered the city, but first had to be counted for by signing a scroll. Next, we just walked around the village watching the Roman guards put prisoners in jail, people selling their homemade items such as wine, bread, and ink. Finally we saw baby Jesus. It was a very neat experience and I'm sure we'll go back again.

we made a gingerbread house

we had a little breakfast party at Jacob's school

One night the three of us went to Opryland hotel to walk around and look at the lights. I have been doing this for years, and it doesn't really feel like Christmas to me until I have been to Opryland. Jacob really liked looking at all the lights and decorations this year. It was a fun time to be together as our little family.

Another fun tradition we have in the Vaughn household is the campout under the Christmas tree. We do this the night before Christmas eve. We got takeout from a local restaurant. We ate while we watched Christmas movies. Then, we slept under the tree. I simply heart this tradition and look forward to it every year.

blowing up the air mattress

Norty brought a movie for us to watch

it was a Veggie Tales and Jacob was excited

settling in for the night

Hoping each of you have some fun traditions that you do with your family this time of year.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

cookies and hot chocolate for Santa

even Samson was excited :)

Santa came
Jacob was such a good boy this year
(if you look closely you can see our good friend Norty in the tree)

Merry Christmas to all!!!!

Merry Christmas Eve

our family of three

We went to church and then spent Christmas Eve with my family. It was a relaxing evening opening presents and just being together.

Jacob REALLY got into the Christmas spirit this year. He was so excited about everything.....the decorations, our tree, wrapping presents, reading our Christmas books, talking about Jesus and the nativity, Santa, and our elf friend Norty. He also LOVED opening his gift. It was so cute to see the pure joy on his face as he found out what was in each package. That was all the present I needed.

handing out all the presents

two peas in a pod these two

loving his new fishing pole

my family

sweet sisterly love

24 Day Countdown

WITH......BOOKS!!!!!

I love Christmas. I love traditions. I love books. I started this tradition last year and it is one of my faves. I wrapped 24 Christmas books and put them under our tree. Jacob gets to open one every night leading up until Christmas Eve. Last year he so enjoyed opening his books and reading the stories. This kid LOVES to read so I have high hopes that this year will be wonderful.

We open our first one tonight. Can't wait to see which one he picks!!!

Christmas time is Here

Two nights ago we put our Christmas tree up. I just LOVE a decorated house at Christmas. Jacob really got into it this year. He had such a good time putting ornaments on the tree and looking at the lights. We had some yummy finger foods and listened to Christmas music while we decorated. Then, we watched a Christmas movie and ate popcorn and peppermint brownies. YUMM!!

my two sweet boys

putting his ornaments on

so excited about his big bird ornament that he picked out

a final pic cause I just adore these two