2015 All Wrapped Up

How can I sum up an entire month in one post? Especially the month of December? With a very long post...

The kids started the Christmas season with an overnight visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house with their cousins. Every year they have a special pizza dinner, watch a Christmas movie, and sleep around the Christmas tree. This year they also took a trip to another town to view their impressive Christmas lights.

What a bunch!

The oldest grandchild still likes to join in on the fun.
*Love*

Derek and I went out for dinner to Old Chicago, and we had a really fun time! I forgot how nice it is to go out with just my husband. We talked about all kinds of things without any interruptions. Back at home, we put up our Christmas tree. Of course we waited for the kids before putting any ornaments on the tree.

Derek's wanted an elliptical machine for years, and this year we decided to give each other the early Christmas gift of an elliptical. Aaron couldn't get the word right--he kept calling it an escalator and an excavator. He also REALLY liked the huge box it came in.

Putting the new elliptical together

Fun in a box!

Kaleb found some Christmas trumpet music online.
"The First Noel" was his favorite one to play.

I helped Aaron carve out some body armour from the styrofoam packing that came with our elliptical. We had pieces of styrofoam all over the place, but his smile made it all worth it. :)

Aaron's body armour

Go Kaleb!

Making gingerbread houses at the elementary school.
Our last year doing this.

Stay little, Aaron.

Derek came straight from work to join us, even though he got off late and was exhausted.
There are some things you just don't want to miss.

I think our tree was up for at least a week before we finally put the star on top. Every year I have to look at my blog to see whose turn it is to put the star on. This year was Aaron's year! I bet next time it's his turn, he won't be able to hang on Derek's back like this.

I let Kaleb and Aaron put Christmas lights up in their room all by themselves this year. They did such an amazing job--I couldn't have done it better myself. (And it was SO nice to let them take over this job.) Their room is so cozy, it's one of my favorite places to be at the end of the day.

Aaron uses my grandma's cactus lights.

The disco ball fits right in. :)

We love ice cream, no matter the season. One Sunday afternoon, while Derek worked, the boys and I used a gift card for some DQ. A mowing job they did in the summer suddenly paid off with this ice cream treat. :)

2 m&m blizzards (one chocolate, one vanilla) and a chocolate shake

Braylen had a band concert this month, and they even played a few Christmas songs. He played the snare drum and the bass drum in this concert. I bribed his brothers with candy canes, and they happily came along. :)

The last December band concert in the old high school!

Aaron puts the trash out at the street and decorates it for me. What a guy! I found it like this after taking them to school one morning.

Some of the police wives got together and made ornaments for our officers.

Derek must have thought I left this catalog open to this page for him.
Hahaha!!!

School ended for Christmas break on the 18th, giving us over 2 full weeks of vacation. I snuck in a cookie baking day with one of my very best friends before that vacation began. We've wanted to try this for years, and we finally did it! This picture is a very small sampling of what we made that day. I was exhausted, but somehow she doesn't look a bit tired from our day in the kitchen. We decided this is something we definitely need to do again!

Derek took the boys 4-wheeling after school, and we all went out for dinner at Culver's to kick off Christmas break. The 5 of us can still squish in one booth, which I love to do. Looking at Christmas lights together afterwards was a perfect way to end our day.

Kaleb had just a tiny bit of fun! ;)

Christmas week arrived, and I wanted to get my Walmart trip out of the way as soon as possible. Going early in the morning is the best decision I made that day. Mom and Dad are coming...look at this cart!

Aaron and I surprised Ginger with a new, GIANT bed.
I'll always remember him carrying it on his head, silly boy.
Merry Christmas, Ginger Girl.

With Dad at work, Braylen changes his own oil.
Kaleb is his super assistant. :)

"When are Grammy and Grampy coming?"

Mom and Dad arrived on Tuesday, and Braylen took his brothers to surprise Grammy and Grampy at the interstate exit. What a treat to have their very own escorts to our house. :)

Our first outing together was to the the new Star Wars movie--finally!!! We all loved it, including Derek. I think we rehashed the movie a zillion times during our week together.

Christmas Eve

I worked a few hours at the store, and Derek had the day off. I was a little bummed about that, but it all worked out. We woke up to a fresh snowfall, so he took the boys to the field to play on the 4-wheeler with sleds. Everyone came to see me at work about an hour before my shift ended, which I loved. Aaron even found a $5 bill outside, which he had fun spending on a joke book. Mom waited for me after everyone left, and we treated ourselves to drinks at Target when I got off work.

After the candle light service at church, we had dinner together at home. Hooray for the crock pot and a mom who will get it all ready for me while I'm at work. After dinner, we took our traditional drive around town to look at Christmas lights.

Looking at Christmas lights in town with my parents, wearing the silly snowman glasses of course!

Together by the tree

Opening one gift on Christmas Eve from their uncle and aunt in Ohio.

Christmas Day

Kaleb woke my parents up with his trumpet--just like my brother always did on Christmas morning. :) The boys went with Grandpa at 8:00 AM to deliver gifts and food to needy children through an organization here in town. I used that time to make the sausage and egg casserole and blueberry coffee cake. Merry Christmas!

Kaleb's gifts to me

Actually, this gift is from Aaron. :)

Braylen's gift to me--I'm well taken care of!

My dad helped in the kitchen by cleaning up!

Stockings

Derek worked on Christmas, and joined us when he could.

Ginger gets a new bone!

Time for the presents around the tree.

A few favorites

Thanks to my boys, I'm all set!

We enjoyed a laid back day at home, along with some kitchen work for me. At 6:30 we had a candle light dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house. It was as pretty as always, and Derek was able to get off on time and join us for dinner. Having my parents with us made it so special for me. :)

The next few days went by as fast as they always do. Mom and Dad stayed with us for one week, and then it was time for them to go home. Next time we see them it will be our turn to visit them!

One of 3 Clue games this week

Mom and I repaired the grill cover that crazy Ginger had torn up.

Dad and Mom took us out to eat. What a welcome break from my kitchen!
Braylen ordered a 1 lb. burger, Kaleb had a 1/2 lb. burger. They ate every bite!

They had a brother sleepover in Braylen's room.
Not much sleeping occurred.

New Year's Eve fondue at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Aaron loves his steak!

A fun way to bring in the new year.

Now that our long break from school is coming to an end, it's hard to believe all the holiday excitement is over. I wish it would last and last, but I guess that's what makes it so special. Another year with our little family is all wrapped up. They're growing up so fast. I'm so grateful for my family and my friends. That's why I write about them.

With love, from me to you.

Titus 2:13-14
"While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."