Church Christmas Program

Here are some pictures from the kids Christmas Program at church on Sunday.  Life has been pretty chaotic lately, and it was Sunday morning around 7:30am that we finally read the weekly emails to learn that the program was that day!  So we scrambled to get ready, called Andy's parents who made the drive down from Carroll to watch them, only to be directed to the wrong side of the church so we missed the two songs they sang!!  We just can't win!!  Last year Andy's parents came down too and were on the wrong side, so we are hopeful for next year as the third time is a charm.

 

At least we got some cute pictures of them a head of time all dressed up!

 

 

Love this one of little Lukey's lip out!!

 

 

 

Siblings.

 

Henry trying not to smile.

 

 

Once we saw that the kids weren't aren't on the side we were sitting on at church I sprinted over to the other side to catch the second song.  Hannah definitely was not cooperating and did not sing any of the songs.  She was actually standing there picking her nose!!  Pretty embarrassing.  She told me after the program 'Mommy, I didn't want to sing, I only like to sing at home.'  Luckily today at her preschool program she sang (very quietly) but sang, and did not pick her nose:)

 

Salwey Family Christmas

Christmas Eve morning we headed east for Shueyville to spend Christmas with my side of the family.  My parents have been working very hard to get through some major house renovations, and wow did it pay off.  Their house looks beautiful, and was very accommodating for our growing family. 

We tried to go easy with the gifts this year, but the second we stepped inside and saw all the presents, we knew my parents overdid it again.  It was fun to watch the kids open their presents.  To say they were overwhelmed is an understatement. The weather was above normal temperatures, so no coats were needed for Christmas Eve church, and my Grandma and Aunt Missy met us there.  After church my Grandma, Aunt Missy, Laurel, Uncle Jason, cousins Ashley and Jared and Jarred all came over.  It was so fun to all be together, eat an awesome meal, and celebrate the season. 

The towers of presents that filled up the room...

Hannah helping Papa open up his presents.

Hannah showing off her new food for her kitchen and shopping cart. 

Andy's new Hawkeye coat. 

Even Bowzer got some presents!

Grandma Deaner and Henry made a gingerbread tree.  Henry loved it. 

We can't say that everyone loved the way it tasted though...everyone was a good sport and took a piece to try though.  I mean - how could you resist that face??

The entire fam before church Christmas Eve night. 

Another beautiful dress for Miss Hannah.  Funny story behind this dress.  My mom actually bought it 4 years ago during the after Christmas sales when I had just found out I was pregnant.  That may we found out we were having a boy - so the dress went into storage.  Little did we know it would come in handy 4 years later since my little girl is such a peanut and fits in 12 month clothes!

Christmas Eve was a beautiful night.  No coats needed!

Christmas morning we opened up our stockings.  Hannah and Henry each got a Hawkeye stocking cap and a 101 book.  We start 'em early!

It was so nice to spend Christmas with so many people that we love.  And we were lucky to get everything to fit in the car on the ride home....

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas!

Our Family Christmas

We were able to celebrate Christmas at our house before heading east to celebrate with my family.  It was so nice to have two days with just the four of us to continue the traditions we have started as our own little family.  We opened up one present Thursday night, then the rest of them when we woke up on Friday morning.  We got all dressed up for church on Friday night, read the Christmas Story, and just lounged with the kids.  It was awesome.  Here are some pics from the two days we spent together.

Wear your Christmas jams to school day!

Wear Christmas colors to school day.  Daddy dressed Hannah - I was so impressed!

Opening one present on Thursday night. 

Henry testing out his new balance bike.

Hannah's hair!!

Opening up all of our presents on our Christmas morning. 

All dressed up for Christmas Eve Church.  Daddy dressed Henry and even styled his hair.  Such a big boy!

Attempt at a family photo.

Kiddos. 

Little princess swimming in her 18 month Christmas dress.  I'm thinking it will still fit her next year!

'Tis the Season!

Last Friday, while Andy was on the phone cancelling Mediacom (they raised our monthly cable from $90 to $145!!  We called and asked them to lower but they didn't budge, so we are leaving for Dish), I had Henry help me bring all the holiday decorations upstairs.  I decided last minute it was the night to put up our Christmas decorations! 

We will be traveling on Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after, so knew we didn't have time to get everything up before we host our big Thanksgiving on Saturday.  It was the perfect night to do it.  And who doesn't love to get into the Christmas spirit - even if it is a few days early?? 

We had so much fun.  We had the Christmas music playing, boxes everywhere, lights that wouldn't light (pre-lit tree...), lost a few glass ornaments (luckily I only drew blood twice, and thank goodness it was my own skin), and fun with all the empty boxes, the pictures below explain it all!!   

Both kids loved to help this year, especially Henry.  He really took his time placing each ornament on a branch he picked out himself.  He got so excited, and was so careful.  Check out the below pictures of everyone helping out. 

 

Andy trying to figure out why the row of lights are not working, which is a nightmare with pre-lit trees!  He eventually just hit it really hard and they turned on - not even kidding!!

Kids having so much fun in the Christmas totes.  They played with it for a good hour!

They took turns jumping off the top of it.  I wasn't so sure how Hannah would handle it - but she impressed me!  Probably not the safest position for Henry, but he made it out alive:)

I had to add this picture of Hannah taking a face dive into the floor.  Check out Henry's hands - yes - he pushed her off...  She is going to be one tough girl.

Picking out his ornaments and placing them carefully on the tree - such a big boy!

Happy Thanksgiving weekend everyone!