Merry Christmas!

We were dreaming of a white Christmas.....and we got one!!!  Both the kids were really sad that we missed the Christmas Eve service, for the first time, and both said that was their favorite at Christmas.  Candlelight service is beautiful.

merry christmas!

Today we celebrate the birth of our Savior, without whom our hope for life eternal in glory would be lost.

The kids this year asked for a Baby Ergo (Ava), and a Nerf crossbow (Noah). It isn't lost on me how blessed we are to make these little people's one gift request come true on Christmas morning. We have always had our needs met as well as been able to provide fun things for our children too. That is a blessing and we are both humbled and grateful.

The warrior...

Little mama...

After the morning of stockings and excellent treats for breakfast, it was time to party with Nana, McPhee's, and Grandfather!

The kids received the most AWESOME books from Nana. The Dangerous Book for Boys and The Daring Book for Girls. In Ava's book there was a section on how to whistle...

Lucy....warrior AND little mama.

Even Grandfather got into the crossbow.

But the photo of the day goes to Malcolm...taking advantage of mommy sleeping...phone is left unsupervised....nobody sees me, right?

christmas eve

Another Christmas Eve in the books.  This season is always a little hectic yet on Christmas Eve...when the kids have gone to bed...and it's quiet....the lights have a little more twinkle....the couch is a little cozier....it's simply wonderful.

The day was spent with the Coury grandparents.  Delicious food, comfortable couches (...maybe/maybe not a very nice nap), lovely gifts exchanged, and then my favorite part of the evening the candlelight service.

Yes.  This was the best family photo of the night.
...and then we hang the stockings.

santa!

This is one of my favorite traditions.  We've been taking Ava to see the Nordstrom Seattle Santa since she was a baby.  Last year Lucy....well....she wasn't a fan.  We were all a little worried, but to our pleasant surprise she did GREAT!  She sat on his lap and looked over at all of us and exclaimed "I'm not crying!"  Oh how we love that Lucy girl.

The traditional pre-Santa pictures were cut short this year because the wait was only 10 minutes!  What?!  Call me crazy....but I kind of missed the wait.  It was really strange zipping right in and getting to our turn so quickly.  But, here are a few fun "waiting" moments.
She loves her Uncle Brian.
....and oh how I love her!
Proof she did it!
These two still melt my heart.
This is GOOD bread!

leavenworth

Two things I really love...adventures and Auntie Lorna.  When we hatched a plan to pop over to Leavenworth for the night I said YES!  We ended up taking Grandfather, who is 100 years young I might add, with us.  The WorldMark condo's in Leavenworth are amazing.  The kids could hardly wait to suit up and get out in the snow.

Sitting in the car can wear a guy out.  Isn't he cute though?  Naptime.
Don't you wish a photo could capture the true beauty of a place?  The clouds, the snow, and the mountains....ah!  Breathtaking!
While I helped Auntie Lorna unload the car and get Grandfather settled, the kids grabbed their gear and headed for the slope.   The first hill was right outside our condo.  When I went out to join them they were all standing at the top...seemingly too scared to go down.  Pssshh.  I wasn't scared.  Please.  Kids these days.  So soft.  I grabbed a sled, ready to show these kids how it was done, sat right down...started down the hill...aaaaand the rest is a horrific blur.  There was screaming...it may have been coming from me...bumps, jarring, snow, and so so much speed.  I humbly admitted they may have a point about the hill, and we moved on to gentler slopes!

Snow....and this cute little man.
We decided to take Grandfather into town to see the lights.  It was cooooold but pretty!
These characters!
Sleds? We don't need no stinking sleds!

snowflake lane

We didn't make it last year, but this year not only did we make it...we brought Lucy!  My kids love the music and show, but seeing it through Lucy's eyes for the first time was so fun.  But first....dinner.  The entertainment was provided by Lucy Lu.

Then a little walking through Bellevue Square with these beauties.
Lucy and Ava both were quite taken with the ballerina.
...and she loved it even more when she found out there were free SUCKERS! But she wasn't quite sure about Frosty. He looked shady. One of my favorite parts is when it "snows."

o christmas tree

The day after Thanksgiving traditions...White Christmas and decorations!

coury cookies

Traditional Christmas cookie decorating at the Coury's.  This year Lucy Lu decided to join the crew.
Noah was the master this year. Not only did he pile on the frosting, but he double-deckered. That one is for Santa.