MERRY CHRISTMAS

What a FUN day! Again, Christmas if my favorite holiday, always has been and I think having children makes it even more special... and this year, having one who can somewhat understand that it's Jesus' birthday and also about our friend from the North Pole was just great!
We did a simple list of gifts this year... In years past, I've tried to do the 3 gift thing, but actually stuck to it this year...
They got a USC/Gamecock Jeep to share, and they LOVE riding in this together!
They got a train set and table TOGETHER...
Gabe got a red pb chair like Jayce's so they don't have to fight anymore
Jayce got a tool set and box like daddy's!

Santa also brought them lots of fun stocking stuffers, among which was a jack in the box (or frosty in the box) for Gabe which he loves and some BIG BOY tennis shoes for Jayce.. his first New Balances... I almost cried to see him put those on... but daddy finally said he needed something other than keds... boohoo....

My favorite part of the day was watching the boys look at all their new things... Jayce first and then Gabe slept late so it was neat to get to focus on them one at a time!
Anyhow, I have TONS of pictures and will attempt to start getting them on here! Again, Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

First of all, Happy Birthday JESUS and late MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone! I am slowly but surely making my way through documenting all our Christmas festivities! We had a wonderful Christmas, celebrating the birthday of our Savior! Jayce was very interested in the Christmas story this year and learning more about the birth of Jesus so that was so much fun. He enjoyed me reading to him from Luke 2 and would say, "mommy, can we read God's word now?" How sweet is that?!

Christmas Eve day after naptime, Jay, Jayce, Gabe and I all opened one present... The boys exchanged gifts they had purchased each other at the dollar tree and Loved them and Jay and I did gifts to each other and from the boys... everyone did a fantastic job shopping this year I must say!

Anyhow, Christmas Eve we all go the the Christmas Eve Service and my boys did not quite last the whole time... well one boy did, Jayce, just not Gabe... Granted we were sitting on the McLaughlin pew(the first pew in the church... not where Jay and I usually sit since we are regularly tardy)... and Gabe put on quite a show before Jay decided he had better exit with him...

After church we head to the McLaughlin cabin for dinner... yummy prime rib, potatoes and salad and red velvet cake was on the menu that evening... Then, we all watch as each person opens gifts... This year, the children drew names and the adults skipped that part but it was actually just as fun just being together and we all saved a little extra so I'm all for it next year too!

We put the kiddos to bed, they all sleep together in one room except for Gabe of course... Then, we were up until 3 am doing our thing... Jayce woke me up at 7 to tell me Santa brought him a JEEP!!! I was so sad I did not get to see the look on his face when he FIRST came down... but my mommy alarm clock was not early enough that morning... Anyhow, it was still awesome to see him check out all his other gifts!

Row's Baby Dedication

Jay's cousin Sam and his wife Jenny had their baby Samuel Rowland the 3rd "Row" baptized on the Christmas before Sunday. It was a beautiful ceremony and we were all honored to attend! Row is a beautiful baby, I know his mommy and daddy are so proud! Aside from Gabe, the cousins all matched, you would think we had planned it... at least he coordinated! As you can see, he was the most difficult of the bunch to get to stay still for a photo opportunity!

The McLaughlin Family Ornament Exchange

This is one of my personal favorite holiday traditions! We get together with the McLaughlin side of the family 2 nights before Christmas... In years past, all the children brought each other an ornament but this year we simplified and they each brought one ornament to exchange with their cousins... The adults to the chinese ornament exchange each year and I pride myself always in playing this game well! Every else there calls it being flat out mean... they say my evil twin comes out during this game... I just get really excited about Christmas ornaments and when I see one I really want, I aim to win it! Anyhow, I was actually more tame this year... I figured out the trick... Often I buy an ornament I want to keep myself... So now, I just buy two, and leave one at home... that way, it is not the end of the world if I don't win the one I want... I still have one at home waiting for me!

Anyhow, this is always alot of fun for us and the kids! The kids run wild in the clubhouse,and we eat and trade ornaments!

Gabe's Holiday Performance!

Here is Aunt Claussen doing her famous "Boom chicka boom" dance and song with Gabe at the annual McLaughlin Ornament Exchange! She has done this with him since he was so tiny but I've never had a camera handy to record it... I am not sure if the volume will work or not but you can read her lips to get the idea, She's hilarious! Enjoy!

Christmas Parade

Jayce got to walk in the Christmas Parade on Saturday down Evans! He walked with his aunt and cousins with a group from his school and handed out Jesus Loves You tracts and candy. I was so proud of him! His Aunt Liza made sure he kept up and he had a blast! Gabe and our little buddy Wallace enjoyed watching their first parade!

Jayce's Christmas Show

I was so proud of Jayce on Friday! His 3k class performed first at his school's Christmas concert. They sang Happy Birthday Dear Jesus and Come on Ring those Bells! He did great! He was the only child on stage who clapped for himself after singing, once he heard all the parents start clapping, it was so cute! Then, we got to go to his class party and hand out gift bags to his friends. It was so neat to watch him go around and talk to all the kids... He was definitely a social butterfly, just like his daddy!
There is a really cute picture of his teacher and him... We LOVE her and could not have been more blessed than to have Mrs. Rogers this year!

Running Away

I remember doing this as a child, but I feel like I was older... Am I that bad a parent that at 3 Jayce is ready for this?! Anyhow, this is his new thing... He puts on his backpack, full of his animals, and his water bottle, steps into his rainboots and tells me he is running away now. First, he said he was running away to Heaven. He said he was getting there in his basketball goal (what an imagination)... I watched him walk out into our garage and try to climb into it... then he decided that would not work and got on his tricycle... Then, it was as if it really hit him, he asked me "mom, what other way can I get to Heaven?" I said, sit down, let's talk a while...

Then, he told me yesterday he was running away to Bethlehem where Jesus was born.

Currently, he and daddy have run away to the playroom and he packed a snack for them and 2 drinks... he's a funny kid!

PS, sorry about the position of my supposed to be vertical pictures... my kodak program is not being very cooperative, so bare with me!

Christmas Cookie Party

Jayce had his sweet friend Bella and her sister Mabry (who is around Gabe's age) to make cookies! We missed those who could not come but had a great time! Thanks to their mommy for bringing them!

Christmas Decorations

I wanted to post a few pictures of our house while it's decorated for Christmas! Our new addition this year is our reindeer and Jayce LOVES them! He is very into practicing the reindeer names and USUALLY gets them all right! I LOVE Christmas so much and wish we could leave our decorations up year round!