Ready for Santa

We read The Night Before Christmas and the last devotional in our advent book. Then we added baby Jesus to the advent calendar.

We put out our reindeer food.

We picked out the cookies we wanted to leave for Santa.

Cookies, milk, and stockings are ready.

Children are nestled, snug in their beds..Logan prayed that God would keep Santa and the reindeer safe while they deliver presents. He asked if they celebrate Jesus' birthday once they deliver all the presents. We're ready for Santa and to celebrate Jesus' birth!

Christmas Ornaments

Every year, the boys get a new Christmas ornament. This year, they got Crimson Tide (or as Lukie says it Toll Tide!) ornaments with their name and the year. They are so excited about their new ornament. 

Joshua's mom brought them initial ornaments this year. Here is Logan's.

Here is Lucas'.

Logan made this ornament at school for Joshua and I. It's a blue ornament with his hand print in white paint. The fingers are decorated to be snowmen. It came with a cute little poem about little hand prints.

I always get sentimental when we decorate and take down the Christmas tree. Each ornament is special because it represents an important time in our life. Here's a couple of more that are special to our family.

Here's the ornament we bought Joshua the first Christmas Hollie celebrated Jesus birthday in heaven. Hollie was more than just my sister in law; she is one who introduced Joshua and I. We're so thankful for the time we had with her.

These snowflakes are part of  a set Mom crocheted. There are 12 and each one is different. These are precious heirloom we hope are passed down through our family.

Oh Santa

I've been thinking a lot about Santa Claus lately and pondering what I should say if Logan were to ask if Santa Claus is real. I did not realize the truth about Santa until I was in 4th grade. Looking back, I think I knew, but didn't want to let go of it. I do remember crying when I asked my mom and she told me. I wasn't angry or felt like I had been lied to. I remember feeling like it was just part of growing up. I have finally decided that if he asks, I will tell him the truth and share with him the story of Saint Nicholas that Santa Claus is modeled after. I will focus on how Santa can point back to the attributes of our Heavenly Father. After all, when I think of Santa I see a portrait of our Heavenly Father who desires to and gives good gifts to His children. I want Logan to know that when he asks me about something I will truthfully answer him to the best of my ability. In a world full of lies, the Truth (Jesus) is one of the most important characteristics of God I can teach my sons.

A Shaw Family Christmas 2011

Sunday we had Christmas with Grandma and Papaw. We had a nice relaxing afternoon. We opened presents, Grandma cooked dinner, and then I took a nap while Joshua and the boys played. Here's a few pictures from the Shaw family Christmas.

Fair Day 2011

On Sunday, we went to the State Fair of Texas! The boys had so much fun eating corny dogs.

Walking around and climbing in the cars. Logan and Lucas were so excited to see the Transformer car Bumble Bee!

GMC had a truck on display they had painted to honor the First Responders of the September 11th terror attacks.

The boys rode lots of rides. Logan's favorite was the log ride. They rode it twice.

My sweet boys on the way home:

Fun Times Monday

Today we were off from school for fair day. We opted to not go to the fair today; we'll go on the weekend when Daddy can go with us. We did have a busy fun day.

We ate breakfast at MiMi's Cafe.

We went book shopping at Barnes and Noble and tennis shoe shopping for Grammie at Famous Footwear. Then we went to Target to look.

We came home, rested,  and read lots of books.

Then we went to play at the park.

We went to Sonic happy hour and now we're at home getting ready for Daddy!

I love school holidays!!!

Sweet Brothers

I'm so thankful Logan and Lucas love each other so much! They truly are best friends. Logan says all the time Lucas is his best friend. They are excited to see each when we come home from school. God has been so faithful to answer my prayers for a close relationship between my boys, and I continue to pray they remain close as they grow up.

Here's one of my new favorite pictures of the boys.