Twas the WEEK before Christmas!

One Week!!!  

It's a bit crazy to think that in 7 days Christmas will be over.   Time is beginning to feel a little blurry now as our normal routine goes flying out the window at breakneck speed!    Bedtimes are getting later, we're all sleeping in a bit longer, there is less thought on homework and more thought on playing, and fun, and family.  So great!!!

Speaking of family, John's brother and his wife arrived on Saturday and will be here for the next couple of weeks.   We've not seen Jordan and Luci very much this year, so it will be nice to catch up.    Yesterday, after church we had Jordan, Luci, Rachel, Brent, and Max all over for one big dinner before Max flies out to North Carolina.    It was fun to get together and I couldn't help but feel as though the holidays can now begin.   School or not- we are definitely in party mode over here;)

We had a Ham Dinner with all the fixings, not to mention the yummiest drinks ever!   (thanks Rach;)   It was fun to meet (and hold) our little nephew Justin, whom we've not met until now.  And what would a Christmas dinner be without candles and Christmas Krackers?  

 (My brother in law Brent insisted we all get a picture with our crowns on;)

Earlier in the day, my kids got to wear their new Christmas dresses/ties to church.    One of Abby's favorite Christmas books is "A Dress for Ellen" and she was thrilled to get a dress of her own this year.  

Jess was equally happy to have a dress and insisted that she looked like a candy cane.  ...?  

I wouldn't exactly say that Sam was excited about his new Christmas tie, but he begrudgingly agreed to wear it, thanks to an incredible amount of bribery on my part;)   I just love the picture of him.   That is what he did when I told him to "look at the camera;"

And then there is Nate.   

There is a reason Nate is not part of the photo collage above.    It's because he flat out REFUSED to wear his Christmas tie.   Or pants.   Or shirt.     

He did however, happily wear his woody pajamas and swim goggles in true Nathan fashion. 

Go Figure: 

Happy WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!