Getting ready for Santa....

The kids set out the milk and cookies for Santa and a few carrots for the reindeer. Then we went outside so Brooker could throw his magic reindeer food into the grass. Mary Kate hung our big key on the tree by the door so Santa would be able to get in. Finally we all snuggled on the couch for one last Christmas story. We had no trouble getting the kiddos to go to sleep tonight!

Christmas Eve at Barbara's

After the candlelight service tonight at church...we went to Barbara and Jern's house to celebrate Christmas with them. You never have to worry about getting a good meal when we're there...we all bring tons of yummy sides and feel like our bellies are going to explode after dinner! Again, the kids loved their goodies...Mary Kate got a new adirondack chair, Dora bath set, and Dora DVD. Brooker got a bug catching container, Ice Age DVD, and Nerf Gun. The adults did a gift exchange this year. Jason had me and I got a Hobby Lobby gift card (yay!) and Jared got a WilliamsSonoma gift card. Next year we'll have little Brantley AND Rylee crawling around!

Goodbye Jack

It's been fun!

Revell Family Christmas

This morning we had Christmas with Jamie, Kenny, Jerry, and Cici. We've always celebrated with them on the morning of Christmas Eve. Jamie made a delicious sausage, bacon, and egg casserole...mmmm! It was pretty funny when Papa showed up with his gifts...as you can see in the picture below, the new wrapping trend is paper grocery bags, black garbage bags, and duct tape! Whatever works right?! The kids LOVED their gifts...Brooker got a new Razor Scooter, a remote control truck, and Hex bugs from Papa....He also got some pretty cool things from Aunt Jamie and Uncle Kenny. Papa also surprised Mary Kate with a new BIKE! She was so happy!! She got on it and didn't want any help...she needs to learn to pedal but she was happy just sitting there. She also loved her new Dora panties and bandaids from Jamie...she would open a gift then run back and get her panties and bandaids...this happened over and over! Papa loved his blanket with pictures of Brooker and Mary Kate. Next year will be even more exciting because little Brantley will be here to join in the fun!

Jack's Adventures

We've really enjoyed having Jack around this month! He was always up to something, whether it was swinging from chandeliers, toilet papering our tree, making funny faces on our picture frames, bringing goodies for the kids, or just being a sweet innocent elf. The first thing Brooker would do every morning is find Jack's new spot. Mary Kate loved finding him when she woke too. The kids thought it was really special when Jack brought them two elves that they could actually touch and play with! Tomorrow Jack returns to the North Pole until next year.

Random Act of Kindness

We found this message on our driveway this morning...Very cool! I've heard of some others in the neighborhood who got the message too...we still don't know who's responsible and I suppose it's not meant for us to find out!

Brooker Family Christmas

Tonight Jared and I hosted the annual Brooker family Christmas. We had 28 adults and 13 children and were missing 6...My how this family has grown! My cousin Susan and her husband Danny joined us and brought their brand new baby girl Emma along with them...they were blessed with her through adoption..she was born the same day as sweet baby Harper! We served up some yummy soup, sandwiches, salad, and sweets. As is tradition we read the Christmas story from Luke 2. Our attempt at getting a group picture of the children was priceless. As you can tell in the photo, the babies were NOT happy! Check out Kolton, Margaret Nell, Claire, and Marlee...Now look at Ben...He only wants a "Silent Night!" Too funny! We played some fun Christmas carol games and then opened presents. Mary Kate got a Dora beauty kit and book. Brooker got a cool toy for capturing bugs and other critters...he later told Heidi that it was "Junk!" Oh my! We got a good laugh out of that comment as he was only referring to the fact that the claw part did not close perfectly...guess we should work on word choice :) After the kids opened their loot, all the big girls shared little Christmas gifts with one another. The final gift was from all of the Brooker sisters and sister in laws...it's a surprise girl's night out planned for January...Can't wait to see what they have up their sleeves!

Tea anyone?

Erin, Laci, Megan, and I took our kids to the Twin Oaks Tea Room downtown for lunch. It was quite the experience to say the least! I am not sure we'll be heading back there with our sweet two-year olds until they can act more like ladies...haha! They had fun and enjoyed dunking their teddy grahams in water until they were soggy...yuck! Brooker and August were angels as usual...The girls did enjoy getting to put on the pretty hats and boas :)