It was a very very Merry Christmas....

All that is left is, the bare tree and figuring out where all the new presents will go.  But boy oh boy was it a great past few days.  We had so much fun!  It was really neat watching Taylor start to understand Christmas, and Emma has always loved the holiday.  I especially enjoyed the elf on the shelf part, because Emma really thinks they are real and it makes it so much fun.  She has such a great imagination, and I love that.  I loved waking everyday hearing "where are Red and Snowflake?" our two elves.  Taylor also enjoyed them, but not sure he fully got the point this year.  He did however learn how to quickly unwrap gifts and see where his next one was:)

Here is just a quick rundown of the days leading up to Santa day! We made cookies with their cousin Hudson, built gingerbread houses, went to an early Christmas Eve service at church, went and saw some really cool houses with lights and saw Santa's at two of them, celebrated at Nana's house Christmas eve, sang to Baby Jesus and ate some birthday cake for him, woke up to Emma squealing "Santa really came and I got boots", celebrated Santa, went to Aunt Nay's for the Clark Christmas, and passed out early after all that fun!  Emma walked around all day saying "this is the best Christmas" and I have to agree.  The kids loved all their gifts and we got some great time with the families.  I may never figure out where it will all go, but oh well.

Here are some of the highlights in pics for you to enjoy!!

 Saying good bye to the elves

 reindeer food sprinkled

 Nana's house

 Christmas eve pjs before heading home

 Chocolate Santa for breakfast sure why not!

 Trying out her singing machine

 At my sister's house 

Becoming a Women at Peace

Thank you Tyndale House Publishing for supplying me with a copy of The One Year Devotions for Women Becoming a Woman at Peace  by Ann Spangler, I was so excited to get my copy and study it for this review.

I do not know about you ladies but I am always so stressed, hurried, and on the verge of coming unglued.  So, when I saw this book on the possible review options on Tyndale Blog community, I jumped on the chance.  I need help at being more peaceful and centered on God.

This book is beautiful inside and out.  The devotions are short and well written.  They are perfect for an easy devotion before work or on your lunch break.  They start with a verse, then there is a short reflection, and followed up with a prayer.  It will reach those new to the faith or those deeper in the faith as well.  The author is open and real with you and makes you feel like you are reading words from a close friend!

I recommend starting this book in January and seeking out the peace we all are so desperately seeking! We can do this ladies we can live with less fear, it is not of God to be afraid!

Check out my review on Amazon here!  Order your copy today and enjoy a well written devotion by Ann Spangler.

Ballerina Day

Today was a fun day for my sweet tiny dancer.  It was observation day at Ballet class, so all the parents go to watch in the classroom.  Then, it was Girl Day 2013 with Meme (papa got to be our driver today due to the cold)!  

Emma looks forward to both of these things, and I thought I would share a few photos of my favorite ballerina.

Check out her new purple ear molds in some of the shots, they are sparkly and so girly!

 Listening is no fun!

 all the grace of a beautiful ballerina!

 time to stretch

Then, it was time to go home and get all pretty for our lunch out and to see the Mini Nutcracker!  This is our third year attending the production by Metro Parks and Recreation.  It is well done, and geared for younger kids so it is shorter.  

We get all pretty and go to lunch at Red Robin, Emma's choice!

 The three of us!

 Selfie of us two!

Putting her new ornament on the tree from Meme!

 Time for the show!  She brought her nutcracker and her Christmas Barbie!

Just in case you missed Taylor, he is him in his new Christmas Pj's, he asked for a photo today by the tree.  Love his spirit!