Christmas Eve at the McLaughlins

Christmas Eve... we started with dinner at 4, yummy prime rib Nanny made! Then the fam (excluding us) headed to church for the Christmas Eve service... There is not a nursery however and we did not think Gabe was quite ready for it this year! So, we headed to see our Aunt Will (dad's aunt) in the nursing home for a Christmas visit. That night, we wait for everyone to arrive to do our family gifts... Ended around midnight.. then we do our "thang" once the kids are down.. it is so much fun but a really late night! All worth it when the kids walk down the stairs in the morning though :)

McLaughlin Family Ornament Exchange

Cookies at the Clubhouse

So, I was REALLY in the Christmas spirit this year and had a cookie decorating party the same week as the ornament exchange! It was a little crazy this week but so much fun and worth the planning for sure! My boys had such a good time and it was so good to see all the mommies and kids right before Christmas! The clubhouse is such a great place to use as I don't have to worry with my house and it is so spacious it's not going to feel overcrowded, I love it there!
The kids enjoyed pizza, cookies and hikes to see the horses! Hope we get to do this one again next year too!

Neighborhood Ornament Exchange

We had our first neighborhood ornament exchange with the kids we have gotten to know in our neighborhood! It was so much fun for the moms and kids! We read the best interactive nativity set I've ever seen, "What Jesus wants for Christmas," and the kids really enjoyed opening the boxes to see just what Jesus wants us to give him.. our hearts... It's really a cute set! We exchanged ornaments and munched and munched, decided it will be an annual tradition! I feel so blessed to be in a neighborhood with lots of children and fun parents around!

Gingerbread House Party!!!

What a fun way to kick off our Christmas celebration! We had so much fun at the Edwards gingerbread house party! The boys loved making their houses and especially the visit from Santa! Jayce was actually the FIRST name he called to deliver his present, which made him feel especially good! Santa brought him a USC ball/bat and Gabe a new t ball set!