Jesus Is The Reason for The Season

My favorite Christmas decorations, and the only real things I collect, are nativity sets from around the world. Since the beginning of Brian's missions traveling, starting with Brazil, he has brought me back a nativity set when he goes to a new country. There have been some countries where he couldn't find one, like China and Latvia, but usually he is able to. I have also added in nativity things the kids have made over the years, and this truly is my very favorite part of Christmas. It was very special to add a nativity set from Bethlehem this past year! If a tornado is coming, I'm going to have to dig this tub out of the attic, because these are precious to me.

Jesus is the reason for the season!!

I also love this Little People nativity set that we've had since Mackenzie was little bitty. Jack is enjoying playing with it this year. Baby Jesus is well protected! =0)))

Game Night with the Fam

I watch this family on YouTube play fun games all the time, where they win prizes, so I thought it would be fun to do this with our kids. I went to Wal-Mart and bought all kinds of little things (candy, small toys, etc) and I put money and gift cards under some of them. Under one cup was an egg though...and whoever picked that one got the egg cracked on their head. This was so much fun!! Mackenzie was the unlucky one, and she was such a good sport about it. Madi's laughter over this was hysterical...she would have been singing a different tune if she were the one getting an egg cracked on her head! This was just a fun day at home together. We also made the kids play Risk, which they got bored with way fast...what in the world?! It was also very hard to play that game with Jack, but he kept wanting to mess up all of the army men. 

I really, really love having my house decorated for Christmas! We have thought about getting rid of this entertainment center, but this right here is why I can't do it. So pretty! 

What I love the most though, is spending time like this with my favorite people in the whole world! 

Of course money was the most popular prize! 

Jonah was happy with his oreo's!

I didn't play, but I had fun setting this up for them!

Madi's face! LOLOLOL!

I love Mackenzie's fun, easy-going personality! She took this like a champ! 

World domination is happening at our house tonight. Our kids don't love this game as much as we do! They got bored way too fast! #australiaisthekeytowinning

"Black Friday"

We went "Black Friday" shopping, even though that isn't really a thing anymore, the day after Thanksgiving. I miss the days of searching the newspapers on Thanksgiving to make a game plan and getting up super early to get doorbuster sales. We didn't go super early, but the girls and I grabbed Starbucks and met GMa at the mall to do some Christmas shopping. Fun, fun times with my 3 favorite girls! Teenage girls are EXPENSIVE!! There is no end to Madi's Christmas list...she loved everything she saw and tried on. Mackenzie is a little harder to shop for, but she found some things she liked too. We shopped from morning to night, and ended our day at Cane's. I've gotta say, I do love the simplicity and convenience of shopping on Amazon from my comfy couch at home! 

"Black Friday" isn't what it once was, but we still managed to spend a lot of money! #teenagegirlsareexpensive #timetwo #wortheverypenny

My Mom and Grandma Jean were part of this original Black Friday crowd, and you better believe I had a Cabbage Patch doll! 

Here is Mackenzie's Christmas list:

I wish I could make my hair look like this!

Madi will just take the entire Sephora store!