Christmas 2015

 Christmas Tree Hunting

we picked our tree very meticulously this year.  We basically got there and cut down the first tree we saw.   It was a little Charlie Brownish but that was ok.  Then we just sort of hung out at Priddy Farms and let the kids play.   Yeah, we let our 18 month old carry a saw around. 

 the initiator of this tradition for us and her baby lumberjack.

After we picked our tree - the kids each got an ornament.  (they get to pick one out every year) So we braved Target on Black Friday (yuck).    Freddy's moccasins,  Maryanne's Elsa, Luke's plaid deer and Lucy's baby black bear.

Our charlie brown tree decorated by the kids.  I think I'll miss having a little kid Christmas tree someday.  Maybe I'll just have my grandkids come over and decorate for me. 

Kate's tradition of getting a Christmas Tree the day after Thanksgiving makes it so we get our house decorated early too.

Oreo Balls

There is always something that sort of makes one Christmas different than the next.    This year was the year of oreo balls.  Oh my goodness gracious - I made a LOT of oreo balls... and reindeer cookies and many other treats.  (Oreo balls are basically oreos ground down to oreo dust and then mixed with cream cheese, rolled up in a ball and dipped in chocolate. They are dang good.)  And, of course, along with the treat making comes the caroling and visiting with friends and neighbors.  One of my favorite Christmas childhood memories is caroling dressed up like an elf.  Yep, tights, make-up ... the works.  We had two elf costumes and whichever Songer kids fit into them got to be the singing elves that year.  I loved it.  I really thought we were so sneaky and we'd drop off my mom's warm pumpkin bread and sing them a song and run away.  I loved seeing everyone light up when they saw us.  My mom was home in her sweet factory pumping out loaves of bread, homemade peanut brittle and her famous english toffee.  I'm pretty sure we sung to every widow in Huntsville (which is a lot btw) and multiple families on top of that.  So, this year, after making a long list of people I really wanted to visit (minus the elf costumes) - I set out to make all the plates of goodies.  And I loved doing it.   I wanted to do it all.  But I was really worn out by then end and so was my family I think.

[So - I need to say a little something right now about moms making Christmas.  I don't know how to say this without sounding grinchish but... it's basically the worst...(right?) .... and the best.  There is so much mom Christmas stress because it really is the perfect time to do so much good, bring people together and create family memories.  So there is this excitement about all the things you could do to make your Christmas special and meaningful and you make big plans to do just that.  And it's kinda all up to the mom to make it all happen.  But this year, there were many times that I felt desperately stressed over all the things I wanted - wanted - to do for Christmas.  And there were times that my days would not go as planned and I felt trapped at home with napping babies or watching extra kids or a deadline to be at the bus stop.   I didn't feel organized enough or something to be able to get it all done.   So I'm just saying I really don't know how to do Christmas.  It's just stressful, that's all.  But I sure do love the sweet moments -- the ones God intends for you to feel as you celebrate His Son.   I just wish I could figure out how to have those without the other.]

Joey trying the reindeer cookies.

Me: "How are they?"

  Joey: "they taste a little gamey"  

don't ya just love him?

Caroling

Here are my nice marathon carolers humoring me. (sorry family!)  I think I made like 23 plates.  Luke played his uke.  He's got "O Christmas Tree" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" down.  

 

Writing Christmas Letters

 Run, Run Rudolph

A fundraiser run for Luke and Lucy's school.  Luke was in a running club every Wednesday before school to 'train' for the race.  Joey, Luke and I ran the 5K and the girls ran the 400 meter dash.  Luke and Hawkins ran/walked the whole thing together.  At the end, Hawk's foot was hurting and I didn't realize it.  I was yelling to Luke to sprint to the finish and couldn't figure out why he looked so conflicted.  He would run but then turn around and go back to Hawkins.  A loyal friend.

The Dorothy Day House

We learned all about this lady and this neat place that houses homeless families until they can re-gain their independence.  And it's one of the only homeless shelters where families can actually stay together.   Dorothy Day said, just put on a pot of soup on the stove and open your doors and somehow you'll stay open.  

Dancing Lights!

one of our favorite family traditions

dancinglights2015 from katiehale on Vimeo.

Dollar Store Trip

I loved this.  All the kids at the Dollar Store with their piggy banks picking out presents for each other and their dad.  It was pretty tricky trying to hide from each other but we somehow got out of there with each kid getting a secret little treasure for each other. 

 

Christmas Eve

This was my favorite part of my Christmas this year.  The Wilsons had a nice organized program and I really loved it.  I felt the spirit and just glowed with love for family and my Savior.

  a little before dinner Santa Cause Book perusing

Grandpa Hale skits

"God gave us families to help us become who He wants us to be

That is how He shares His love - for the family is of God."

I love the moments where the love for your family and the love for God come together. 

Silentnight from katiehale on Vimeo.

It truly is a wonderful time of year!  Finding little scraps of paper like this: 

(by Lucy)

And for the times that your heart feels like this:

Merry Christmas!