Visions of Sugar-plums

Twas the night (before the night) before Christmas and all through the house

all the creatures were stirring except for the mouse.

 This is our families Christmas weekend (a tradition that began 10 years ago).

When in the living room there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter!

The kids have begun their own tradition of sleeping by the Christmas tree on our Christmas Eve eve. 

 Pillow fight, of course.

The Children are nestled all snug in their beds

"please take one sweet picture for mommy," i ask.  

silly josie falls off the couch.

i get one shot.

then one of my children farted (yep, we fart too), i'm not suppose to tell who.

While visions of sugar-plums 

dance in their heads

as my children were sleeping by the Christmas tree  my "grandchildren" were sleeping near their Christmas tree. 

"grand-daughters" emily and molly (molly lost an arm a few years ago in a tragic accident involving noah. she is still very loved. molly isn't an a.g. doll) wearing the same jammies as my emilie. 

 santa hats for dogs make perfect hats for  my "grandsons" logan elliott & michael sullivan.

molly gets to sleep with emilie's favorite hippo.

 

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

 this week the girls made their dolls stockings (more on that later)

emilie drew a fireplace on the puppet theater ...how cute is she!

 Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight. 

Joys:

that my children create their own Christmas traditions. {32}

that emilie and josie find pleasure in the details, just like their mommy! {33} 

that laughter is in this house every. day. of the year!  

i once had a friend tell me in a hard mommy season of life, "your kids won't remember the nit-picky things about your home, they will remember the overall temperature of your home."

the temperature of our home is laughter! {34} 

celebrating together in all sorts of ways 

the birth of our Savior Jesus who came to make us fully alive!{35}

Participating  in Sarah Markley's 100 Joys for December