Life Lately - Week of Christmas

Monday

Ella's class had their Christmas party 

With some of her buddies, Micah and Joesy 

In her classroom with how Christmas is celebrated in different countries  

With their gingerbread village 

With her bag of goodies by the Christmas tree

She was so excited to show me the presents she made for us at school

We ran around and got gift cards for the teachers after school 

Ella showing me all of her cute crafts she made at school

Deacon Christmas Party at Strickland and Dale - yummy food and beautiful decorations!

Tuesday 

Caleb brought home some Christmas crafts he made at school 

Love my little decorations 

Our presents from Ella - gingerbread man for Daddy and fingerprint ornament for Mommy 

Wednesday

Pajama Day, Party Day and Early Release = Happy Boy! 

Christmas party time for Caleb's class 

With his buddies, Eli and Grayson

Kids got out of school at 1 and we headed to meet our newest nephew/cousin 

Winfield is here!  With mommy Jessica and proud big sister Jules 

Such a cutie! 

Proud aunt 

and uncle! 

Sweet little chunky monkey - 8 pds 9 ozs! 

We rushed back to go Christmas caroling with church - Ella and Leah were into it 

Caleb and Davis - loved riding the school bus 

A bus full!

Caroling is a sweet tradition - love seeing their faces light up as we sing!

Thursday

Annual cookie decorating day 

The little girls working on a craft 

The big kids decorating cookies 

Ella making her craft 

Caleb with his plate of decorated cookies 

Their turn to decorate cookies 

It was such a nice day so we played outside - the whole crazy crew!

We got the bunnies out and let them hop around it was so nice! 

With their treat - they love weeds :) 

Ella requested Christmas fingernails - she was so happy when I painted them!

That night we had Christmas with the Crazy Crew at Mrs. Wendy's House

Justin and his personal "white trash" 

Kids by Mrs. Wendy's tree 

Owen and Kent chillin 

The bigger kids played Monopoly 

Sweet littlest ones - Brooklynn and Emmalyn

Mrs. Wendy decorated a cross that dad had made for mom 

Three amigos 

Crazy Crew 

All the kids 

Every year Mrs. Lori would write dad a poem - she kept the tradition up :)

It read ...

Star of wonder, Star of bright

We are missing a star tonight!

Our John was a special man, His love and memory will forever stand.

Its not the same without him here, but we have so much of him to hold dear.

He wouldn't want us to be sad or cry, He definitely wouldn't want us to ask why.

He would tell us to go on and live, to do for others, love and give.

He had a heart as big as a house, but we all know he wasn't as quiet as a mouse.

He loved to talk and tell you jokes, You would laugh so hard that you would choke.

He was funny but serious too, He loved us all and would always say "Be careful and you know I love you"

In memory of John - We love you my buddy and sweetheart

Love - Lori

Ella partied too hard! 

Friday

Spa day with Audrey - arranged by our hubbies!

It was a wonderful relaxing time, spent with a wonderful friend who has really been there for me this year.  We haven't had the best of years but hoping 2017 is better for both of us!