Christmas with the Joneses

This year at Christmas was so fun....

We started a new tradition this year when Ted joined us

for the month. Blaine named Ted, but both boys

had a ton of fun looking for Ted each morning.

Having Ted around was fun....

but one of my favorite things this year was doing

and advent calendar with the boys.

We started with a calendar containing a book to read each night

but the boys just were not interested so we....

made a change and did the advent calendar I made in MOPS a few years ago.

It was perfect!!

Each night we read a new sentence that added to the Christmas story.

Scott and I were amazed one night when Blaine started quoting parts

of the story without prompting.

Another thing we did (although we didn't do it every night) was

have a gift for the boys to open each night.

Majority of the nights it was a book on the story of Christmas.

Most of the books were from the library, but a few I purchased;

I hope to add to our collection each year.

The boys favorite book was "Away in the Manager" and so we sang it every night

we read a book:) and talk about sweet to hear my sweet boys singing about baby Jesus.

Probably the boys favorite activity was playing with the "Little People

Manger set".

Another fun part of Christmas was decorating.....

And of course, our favorite decorations were ones the boys made:)

The boys and I attempted a couple of Christmas crafts this year.....

but were not successful making the gingerbread houses

or homemade hand print ornaments:( but we had fun trying....

A few nights before Christmas we stopped by Papa D and JoJo's house.

The boys had a blast playing with their new toys and Alex:)

We also had the Parker family over for dinner one night....

They were so kind and brought the boys gifts that they loved!

Christmas eve, we went to Gigi's house....

It was a great time!!

And Christmas morning, the boys had fun seeing what Santa brought,

opening gifts the 4 of us....

Pops and Grammy came to our house bearing gifts.....

including a swing set:)

And Walt made us all laugh with his dance moves to the

stuffed Bama player and Big Al.

Mammaw and Pappaw also came over and brought us delicious

ham and cheese biscuits for breakfast.

After a quick nap, we headed to Mammaw and Pappaw's to join the

entire Phillips family......

And Christmas night we went to Aunt Jammie/Uncle Paul's

for the Cooper family Christmas

And even though it was not on Christmas day (momma's fault),

we did get to sing happy birthday to Jesus and eat some of his birthday cake.

We were still having fun after Christmas....

The boys (especially Blaine) love our new 3D TV.

They have also had fun (on days it's not rainy or too cold)

playing on their new playground.