Christmas Banquet 2013

 A few weeks ago, our church had it's annual Christmas Banquet. 

 

My forever friends and I in our traditional banquet photo.  

Since I can't find the last 18 years in banquet pictures (hard to believe it's been that long!) , here's the two I could find on short notice:  

 I think that one is from 2008. 

This was last year when I was great with child!

 The three amigos...

 And Kendall's little buddy.  This was late in the afternoon so this was the best pic we got.  Nice arms!   :)  Most of them looked like the one below.  

 

I love our fun tradition of the banquet!

Post Christmas Randomness

• Did you notice that I posted day 24 of my traditions series a little late?  I had day 25 and the wrap up post scheduled because they were finished a long time ago.   I didn't want to leave out a day so I went back and got it :)  I feel accomplished to have completed my series!

 

• Another fun fact:  in my wrap up post I said I didn't blog about our Christmas Play but I did...the play hadn't made the original cut but it was so dear to my heart, I had to include it!   I ended up leaving out the tradition of giving to others.  In years past I have participated in the Angel Tree.  This year was so crazy busy that it was left by the wayside.  Hopefully we'll be able to add that again next year!

 

• We had a wonderful Christmas.  Super busy like always but still wonderful.  Kendall wasn't overly excited about Christmas this year.  Hopefully that will change.  I will have to come back in a day or two and do a post just on our Christmas. 

• I've tried several fun and yummy pinterest ideas lately.  I want to do a separate post on those also.

• I'm ready to go into organization mode.  Our living room looks like Toys-R-Us threw up in it.  Our guest room has been the catch all for months now.  This weekend is time to get on top of it!

• And just for kicks...my baby surround by a sea of new cool toys!

 

•   

Traditions Day 24: New Pajamas

 

       This is an oldie but goodie.   New PJ's to wear on Christmas Eve Night.    Here's Kendall girl's new threads:

 

 And because I think she is so ridiculously cute!...

To see all of our traditions click here.

Traditions Wrap Up

 

    I wanted to say thanks again for reading my fun little series.  I had the best time writing it as I focused on what was important to me for my little ones to experience during the Christmas Season.    

Now that Christmas is over, it feels like detox time .  I love putting up Christmas decorations but I also enjoy when it's time to put them up and give the house a good dusting.  Seems like there is glitter EVERYWHERE, or is that just me that feels that way?  

We had a great 1st Christmas with our little girl.  I didn't think it was possible for her to become any more spoiled...but it was!  Ha!

I feel like I didn't have enough days to cover all the traditions I'd like to one day do...an additional one would be:

• Church Christmas Play--I heard a preacher recently say that if you are taking care of your family, and doing all you should be doing within the church, you'll have a full plate....Amen to that!

Some ideas for after the season:

• I saw the idea several years ago to save your Christmas Cards and pray for each family that sent you a card.  My best friend does this with her kids with Missionary Prayer Cards.  I hope to incorporate both.  
• Make a photo book of your child's 1st Christmas.  We have had a great month with many memories we could include:  our church Christmas Banquet, family get-togethers, Christmas tree pictures, her first Christmas presents,   Christmas clothes, and our church Christmas play.

Thanks again for reading along, who knows maybe I'll have more series in the future.  :) 

Oh, and one final time...to see all of our traditions click here. :)

Traditions Day 25: Reading what it's all about....

   Merry Christmas!  And if you've been here since day 1, thanks for sticking around!

 

Today is pretty obvious.  Reading the Christmas Story Straight from the Bible!  I know this is something many families do each year.  Too sweet, and precious.  It never gets old.  

Luke 2:1-20

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

A very Merry Christmas to you!

 

 

Day 23 Traditions: Christmas Play

 

I want my kids to grow up involved in church.  Kendall had her first ministry involvement on Sunday Night. 

 She's the cow that the innkeeper is holding :)

  She took her hoof off during the actual play :)

 

    It was a blessing to get to work with some of our young people this year!

Day 22 Traditions: Baking

I'm few days behind!  Catch up time!
 

  

     Can you have Christmas without Baking?  This is already a tradition in the Jones' household...but as the years go on, Kendall will be able to help more and more and make precious memories.  I still remember the year we made sugar cookies with my mom and decorated them ourselves.  

This next part is where I would insert pics of all our homemade goodies....yikes!  We might be doing New Year's Baking this year!  I already have the ingredients have just been missing the time!

Day 21 Traditions: Christmas Books

 

   Here's yet another popular idea from pinterest.  :)   

    The idea is to wrap a book for each of the 12 days of Christmas.  The kid gets to open a book each day.  While I love this idea, it's just not worth all the wrapping when Kendall could care less!  But I did decide we needed to start a stash of Christmas books.   I have several that I bought when teaching.  Our newest books:

I've got my eye on this one at Wal-mart.

To see all of our traditions Click Here. 

Day 20 traditions: Bring on the Ornaments Part 2

Along with getting their own ornament bought for them each year, I envision lots of crafting ornaments each year.  

Kendall is obviously not ready for many crafting endeavors!  But what's more precious than a baby hand print?  So this year we stuck with a simple oldie that my good teacher friends at OSES taught me 9 years ago.  The problem is that I can't get a good picture of it. So I'm so stealing another random photo but know ours is also identical!
 

 

The sweet little poem that is goes with it is:

These aren't just five snowmen as anyone can see

I made them with my hand, which is a part of me.

Now every year at Christmas time, when you deck your halls

You can look back and remember Christmas 2013

When my hand was just this small.

And we had enough crafted for the grandparents but I let Kendall near them and this happened:

 

So grandparents.

I'm hoping to still do a clay hand print ornament.  Hopefully we'll work that in on Christmas Eve.

Happy Crafting!

To see our other traditions click here.

Day 19 Traditions: Christmas Tree Pictures

 

    I'm sure you've seen all the great pics on Pinterest of the kids in front of the Christmas tree....Some of my favorites....

 

Our verison....

 I'm still working to get our perfect picture! 

You better believe this is gonna be a yearly tradition! 

To see all of our traditions click here...

Christmas is coming!

And time for a new header!

 

Day 18 Traditions: Christmas Card

I love, love, love, getting Christmas Cards in the mail.   I especially love ones that have pictures of the family!  I have made and sent photo cards since Michael and I were first married.  My biggest Christmas Card regret is that I haven't saved them each year :(.  I guess there are worse things in life.  And you live and learn.  :)  

 Our Card this year:

I've linked up with the card Carousel @ walk with me by faith.

Click here to see the rest of our traditions.