Holly Jolly

I had great intentions of setting up our advent calendar this year.

I searched pinterest, blogs, my childhood, etc.

But then time, energy, and money ran out. Mostly money. 

So we did our Christmas activities without 

muslin bags, clipboards, washi tape, or cute tags. 

And oh-my-goodness, what an amazing December. The best so far. 

Tradition #1: Christmas movie in some festive pj's...

(Graham had to go to bed before it was over but you better believe

 I stayed up and finished Veggie Tales.)

#2: We gave Graham his 2012 ornament. "I love you to the moon and back"

Perfect for the moon obsessed GTU. 

#3: Looking at Christmas lights with hot cocoa! 

Highlights: Santa, candy canes, Buzz and Woody, 

and a liiiiittle bit of chocolate in Grahamy's milk.

#4: Graham came out to my Kindergartner's Christmas party.

So stinking precious. The kid's loved Graham. 

One asked why I brought Kyle. 

#5: Baking and baking and baking with Grandma! 

#6: Friend's Christmas! 4 years and counting.

Doug and Megan won Match Mate. 

We decided we're starting a trophy. Someone better get on that.

#6: Holiday Lights at Calm! 

Coldest night ever. Definitely in the 30s when we left.

BUT, it was super fun! 

The music, the lights, the train ride!, the merry-go-round 

(where we got in trouble for "double riding" with a one year old. psh.), 

and the company!

Loved being with mom and dad, Grandma and Grandpa, and Chad. 

In the freezing cold. Magical.

I'm sure next year we'll do a lot of the same. 

But maybe, if I get my act together, we can read what activity 

we are doing that day from a cute little numbered pouch. 

Maybe.

Oh Christmas Tree

Lowes tree lot. You have yet to let us down. 4 years and counting...

This year felt like Graham's first Christmas. 

Even though it totally wasn't.

It just seems to get better and better. 

Is that how all of childhood goes? I don't want to be naive. 

But for reals. He explored the rows of trees, 

laughed hysterically when Kyle would slam 

our tree on the ground to settle the branches, 

and dove right in to our pizza picnic tradition.

 (Just wait for Chinese next year, G!)

It was a sweet, sweet time. I tried to soak it up as much as possible.

I'm so thankful for a husband who gets just as giddy as I do about setting up for Christmas.

Even more thankful that he values tradition 

and sharing all of this with our kids. 

I love to watch my boys together. 

Especially when they are decking the halls.

Thanksgiving, Thanksliving 2012

Remember when it was Thanksgiving break forever ago? 

Well, what a treat of a week that was for our little family. 

We had some park days and some Hume Lake days!

So relaxing, so enjoyable, so thankful.

We were so excited for Graham to be able to 

explore the cabin and the nature...

He didn't let us down.

Thanksgiving dinner prep! Deeeeelicious. Well done.

And how cute are Jill and Peggy? So cute.

Remember when Mom made pumpkin bread pie? 

Graham took a whack at it...

We walked, some trespassed, and some were carried.

My how the Lord has blessed us beyond belief. 

We are thankful to Him for family, days off, a gorgeous place to get away, 

and His unfailing, steadfast, love.

Oh and this face...I mean...Come on.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Uber Cray Cray.

Things have been crazy. 

From the looks of things we didn't exist from November to January. 

But boooooy is that far from the truth. 

I'm going to be playing catch up for days, weeks, months. Probably. 

But bring it on, Blogger. I need these memories documented before things get 

uber cray cray up in this Underwood household.