Matt's side of the family welcomed a new addition on the night before Christmas Eve so much of the time for his family celebration was spent sending shifts to the hospital to see our new nephew. Unfortunately I forgot my camera when I went so sadly, I have no pictures to upload of the almost 10 pound cutie.
The snowstorm we had for Christmas this year made things very memorable. We postponed our Christmas Day plans w/my family due to weather but I have to say it was a rather enjoyable day. We had a leisurely family breakfast after opening gifts and then went outside for sledding, snowman building & a snow fort 'competition' between Matt & I (with Maddy's help of course).
We tried to do fairly minimal gifts & placed a greater focus on the meaning of Christmas. One thing that we did in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day was an advent calendar. In addition to the nightly door opening, we chose one character from the Christmas Nativity & told Maddy the story about who they were & what part they played. She really looked forward to both the treasure she found in the door (candy, stickers or money) and the evening story time. I would be remiss if I didn't say that Mom & Dad enjoyed it too :).
The snowstorm we had for Christmas this year made things very memorable. We postponed our Christmas Day plans w/my family due to weather but I have to say it was a rather enjoyable day. We had a leisurely family breakfast after opening gifts and then went outside for sledding, snowman building & a snow fort 'competition' between Matt & I (with Maddy's help of course).
We tried to do fairly minimal gifts & placed a greater focus on the meaning of Christmas. One thing that we did in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day was an advent calendar. In addition to the nightly door opening, we chose one character from the Christmas Nativity & told Maddy the story about who they were & what part they played. She really looked forward to both the treasure she found in the door (candy, stickers or money) and the evening story time. I would be remiss if I didn't say that Mom & Dad enjoyed it too :).
Loot from her stocking
Coloring w/Mom in her new Kai Lan book
' That is the biggest candy stick I have ever seen in my life' says Dad
Dad made an igloo for his fort (show off : )
Helping Mom w/the the 'Princess Castle' Fort
Photo opp w/Grandma & Cousin River
2 comments:
Hey - Great Update! Have you seen this advent calendar??? This is the one we've used for the past two years. Each day you open a door and get another magnetic character for the nativity scene. We just let Hope create the scene whatever way she wants while we talk about the story. It really is nice family time each night.
"Kurt Adler Wooden Nativity Advent Calendar"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002TUVEO/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0002ILRQQ&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0K0F5CT6YRFF6E1XMRVE
Have a Happy New Year!!! - Beth
Looks like you had a great Christmas, Maddy is such s cutie.
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