A Minute-to-Win-It Christmas

Every year we get together with my Aunt Kathi's (my mom's sister) family for a Christmas party.  This year, inspired by something I saw on Pinterest, we enjoyed A Minute-to-Win-It Christmas.  I highly recommend!!!

Oh Christmas Cups - Stack all the cups with one hand within a minute)

The Nut Stacker (stack eight nuts only using a candy cane)

Unlike the real game show, we did each game twice, and some with mulitple people at the same time so everyone had a turn.  Grandma's turn:

Christmas Kiss - Without using your hands, with your partner, move the bells from one tray to a bowl on the other side of the room.  

My parents giving it a try:

Jingle in the Trunk - Get all the jingle bells out of the box that's tied to your rear without using your hands.

 My sister's turn: 

Reindeer Nose Dive - With a pom pom attached to a string and vaseline on your nose, swing the string up so the pom pom lands on your nose....without using your hands, of course.  

 

My brother - successful!!

The kids doing Reindeer Nose Dive

My son making it happen!

One of the most funny - Face the Gingerbread Man - Put a cookie on your forehead and get it in your mouth without using your hands.  The kids (and Ryan all the way to the right) trying this one out.  

Gifts for the little ones. . . .

What's a party without some tasty treats??  (My mom's homemade cake pops)

A special gift every year - home made photo calendars from my Grammie who lives in Florida:

Lots of play time....

Everyone, including little Casey, tuckered out at the end of the night.

The 12 Blessings of Pneumonia

This has been an unusual Christmas break for our family.  

Since our kids began school several years ago, I always look forward to Christmas break to have them home - to enjoy long mornings in pj's. . . reading, playing games, baking, museums. . . so much fun to be had when there is no schedule. 

However, I came down with a fever the first night of Christmas break (Friday) and today am on my third day of antibiotics for pneumonia.  The first days I couldn't even get out of bed - pounding headache, severe aching all over my body, fatigue, chills, etc.  It then progressed into a cough that made my chest and lungs tender with pain.  As my fever faded, the coughing took over and the medicine began.  As you can imagine, this wasn't the fun-filled Christmas break I was planning on. 

However, I've been encouraged by Ann Voskamp (her book A Thousand Gifts and her blog), to see that God's grace abounds in our lives.  Every day is a gift and in my weakness, I saw His grace and blessings abound. 

The 12 Blessings

1.  A home.  A place of solice that's warm with a soft bed and warm quilts.

2.  Access to medicine and medical care to be diagnosed and nursed back to health.

3.  Seeing my kids get lost in book after book during many quiet hours at home.

4.  Observing the tender care of my daughter - when I first emerged from our bedroom with an empty cup, she quickly walked toward me, took my glass and filled it with water for me.  Sweetness.

5.  A generous mother-in-law who called regularly to check on us and made a meal for the rest of my family since I wasn't up to cooking.  

6.  A care basket made by great friends/neighbors filled with all good things for sickness: chicken noodle soup, cough drops, fresh fruit, tea and a bright poinsetta.  Totally brightened my day.

7.  Listening to my children play Christmas songs on the piano together.  Silent night by a 7 and 9 year old as I lay on the couch, Christmas tree lit: sweet bliss.

8.  Phone call from my mom checking on me and offering to finish any Christmas shopping I may have needed.    Thankful. . . so helpful.

9.  A dear friend texting to check on me and offering to take my kids so I could rest. . . and one day texting me about an awful fashion trend that she saw in public and wanted to declare she is in fierce opposition to.  Smiles.

10.  My pastor texting me to tell me he had just been praying for me.  Pastor who knows and cares for me = new concept.  Grateful.

11.  Endless hugs, cuddles and generosity of my kids as exhaustion took over my body.  (cleaning, taking care of dog, getting things for me, wrapping presents.... the list goes on).

12.  An incredibly amazing husband.  He's taken care of everything while I've been down and out and all with a smile . . . and making me laugh in the process.  Always so thankful that God matched me with Ryan  :)

So as I continue to slowly recover this holiday season, I wish you a Merry Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus and the peace that He brings.  

God is good.  

Oh Christmas Trees

The day after Thanksgiving we ventured off to find a Chrismas tree.  Although a little drive away in Belmont, we enjoyed every minute at this cute Christmas tree farm.  

Where they measure (and therefore determine the price) of your tree:

LOTS to choose from

Uhh...I think that one is a bit tall for our house.

Baby trees

So cute!!

Marshallow Roasting!!

And hot, hot chocolate!!

With many marshmallows....

Sleds for sledding down the big hill if it were snowy.  (Maybe next year.)

A satisfied santa (why the sparkly hat...I don't know).  :)

Smiley Boy

This little peanut LOVES to smile.  He is so fun to talk to and be around because if you just make eye contact with him, he smiles.  It's amazing.