Merry Christmas!

Brayden's Christmas Pictures

He looks so grown up here!

Collision Group Christmas Party

Every Wednesday night, we meet in local homes with our high school students. I help out at the Kingwood Park HS home, and it's been such a fun semester digging into God's Word each week and seeing the students grow so much in their faith. This past week, we had a Christmas party with all the KPark students, and it was a blast. We did a gift exchange and some students dressed out in their best *and ugliest* Christmas sweaters they could find.

Me and my girls

Family Christmas Pictures

A Sneak Peek

More family Christmas pictures to come...

But for now, here's one of my favorite little man.

DIY Christmas Photo Wreath

I saw a great idea on Parents.com to create a Family Photo Wreath. I love the idea of unconventional wreaths, and this one is a great addition to our Christmas decor.

Here is what you need for this project:

12" foam wreath

Colored cardstock

9 - 4x6" black and white photos

Hot glue gun and glue stick

Decorative edge scissors

4" circle template

Double-sided tape or craft glue

Ribbon (to hang wreath)

Twine

Jingle bells

2 T-pins

To get started, cut out your 4x6 pictures into 4" circles. Attach to cardstock with double-sided tape or craft glue. Using decorative edge scissors, cut out cardstock in a slightly larger circle than the pictures.

Now that I'm done, I wish I would've wrapped my wreath with ribbon, yarn, or strips of fabric. That way, when you look at it from the side, you can't see the white foam wreath. Either way though, it looks good from the front.

Arrange the pictures (now attached to cardstock) where you want them on the foam wreath. They'll overlap a bit, which is fine. This will help you so you can't see the foam wreath. Attach with hot glue.

For a little extra decorative touch and cuteness, I added small jingle bells to twine and tied it in a bow. Attach to the wreath with hot glue.

Using T-pins, attach a long strand of ribbon in 2 places on the back of the wreath. Grab the center of the ribbon and hang from a nail. I also added a little twine and jingle bells at the top where it's hanging on the nail. And there you have it...your new Christmas Photo Wreath!

Second Students - Christmas Leadership Party

So thankful.

Last night we had our annual Youth Leadership Christmas Party. Every time I am reminded how thankful I am for such wonderful adults who invest in the lives of high school students. I remember when I was in youth ministry and the adults that took the time to invest in my life...and the difference it made. I cherish our leaders who take time out of their busy schedules to realize that this generation needs influencing toward Christ and toward making good decisions in their lives. They invest so much and don't always see results right away. But over time, I truly believe their investments will reap huge rewards. They are such a blessing, and I am so grateful.

All I Want For Christmas

He was super excited about seeing Santa. I was nervous he might cry. Nope! He went right up to Santa and climbed up on his lap.

Santa said, "What do you want for Christmas?"

Brayden said, "Ice cream."

"That's it?"

"Yeah."

Sure makes my shopping easy this year. Now to figure out how to make it not melt once I wrap it...

Santa's Farm

This past weekend, the local high schools put on a night called Santa's Farm. The FFA students hosted all of Kingwood to come out to the Ag barns and look at their animals. They each decorated animals' stalls with fun Christmas decorations; it was too cute! We went through the stalls and saw the steers, goats, sheep, and pigs. Brayden LOVED it, and even got to pet some of the animals.

The stalls all decked out in Christmas decor.

The Harris family

This goat looked like he wanted out!

Brayden petting the sheep.

The bus ride back to our car, which was another highlight.

It's amazing how excited kids get over a bus ride!

Putting Up the Lights

I love Christmas lights on houses. I love driving around in neighborhoods and seeing the fun and creative ways that people have decorated their houses for Christmas. We haven't put lights on our house in a couple years (mainly because a few strands went out), but this year it was time. We got some new lights to put up, and Jonathan went to work.

Precariously sitting atop our roof. Makes me nervous!

Brayden REALLY wanted to help. He climbed up all on his own...

...just kidding! Jonathan was right there with him.

They made the house look GREAT!

O Christmas Tree

Our Christmas tree is up. It's feeling a bit more like Christmastime! I really am having a hard time believing that it's December. This year has just FLOWN by. It's been a good year though - one full of great memories and seeing God's goodness in our lives.

This year Brayden really got into helping with the lights on the tree. He thought they were so cool. He was a great little helper for Jonathan.

Our little Christmas tree

I Love Black Friday

I know a lot of Black Friday is a scam. They get you there to buy the deals, and you end up leaving with more than you planned to buy. I know, I know. Yet, each time I get the chance, I LOVE to go. It's a tradition with my family...the girls anyway. We get up at the crack of dawn and brave the freezing weather, and year after year, we have an amazing time. We had so many laughs (how can you not with my mom and Pam together!), and we actually did come home with some really great deals (I know, because I am a price-shopper!). Fun times and a great nap that followed!

Me and Mom

Shannon, Aunt Pam, and Kristin

The Park

Each time we head up to Oklahoma, Brayden can't wait to go to the park. In the last year, each time we head that way, Papa loves taking Brayden to the park to feed the ducks. I'm not sure who is more excited. They both LOVE it! Whenever the park is mentioned, Brayden goes into this long monologue about the ducks...giving them bread...and the turtles and fishies at the park. It was a much anticipated outing once we got to Edmond.

Almost at the pond where all the ducks await.

Brayden and Papa with their bag of bread in tow.

Feeding the "duckies"

One of the giant Canadian geese decided to grab the bread

OUT of Brayden's hand. He was totally okay; I on the other hand...

...thus the need to keep hold of his shirt!

Sliding at the park...

Such a kid!

Swinging...yes, he is such a kid too. And I love it!

Jonathan and Amy both jumping out of their swings.

Under-dog! He about flipped me over!

Amy and Brayden

"Can I take this stick back home as my souvenir?"