Clark :: our silly elf.

I had mentioned last year that we were given an elf on the shelf and that I was going to use it for advent as opposed to using it as the story shares (behaving for gifts). 

Well as the boys grow older I am finding it fun to have Clark do "silly things" while the boys are asleep. Not necessarily be naughty but more or less give them a reason to smile or laugh when they wake up.

{I did NOT do something every night. They are young enough I can get away with that yet, and sometimes I honestly just forgot. On those days I blamed him being "extra" tired and having to take an extra night of rest on his perch on the mantle.}

Here are some activities Clark came up with:

toilet paper roll swing in the kitchen doorway

snow angels in flour on the table

marshmallow bath in the boys' sink

trying to get himself something to drink

enjoying some cereal for breakfast

playing tractors

fishing in the boys' sink

"candy canes" for breakfast

underwear in place of their stockings

built a snowman {and spent the night in the freezer}

he was caught driving daddy's "race truck"

{which is a big no-no around here...we don't do that without daddys help! ;)}

On the Eve of Christmas Eve, Clark decided to make the best of his last few nights around here and "rudolph" the boys while they were sleeping.

Not a bad job, considering  we Clark didn't even turn the light on!

Bentley decided to have an impromptu sleepover with Gramma and Grampa.

Gramma didn't want to play along  ....It was a little to snowy for Clark to fly all the way to Vriesland and back safely, so Bentley missed out.

But Harry was pretty excited when he woke up and looked in the mirror! :)

Christmas Eve night/Christmas Morning we woke up and found this. 

 Clark had intended to do this across the boys doorways, but ran into a few glitches so he improvised and did the stairs instead.

The boys had a blast breaking through it to come downstairs and see if Santa had come!

Thanks for some extra fun, smiles and laughter this Christmas season, Clark! Can't wait for next year!

Christmas {eve+day}

We spent Christmas Eve evening at my parents house for dinner and gifts. The boys got to open one gift before dinner because they just couldn't wait any longer, and because Gramma is a softy! ;)

She got them all recordable story books that she recorded herself reading. They will be the perfect treat when she's gone all winter!

We enjoyed a wonderful feast, as always, followed by singing Happy Birthday to baby Jesus and a little candle-blowing-out action.

then it was time for gifts.

Sawyer got a band in a box and it was the hit of the night for sure!

i was wayyyyy spoiled but this was one of my favorite gifts.

it is in part the benediction that our pastor gives every sunday after his message, which I am very fond of.

i cant wait to find the perfect spot for it in our home!

the {little} boys had a special sign made for Grampa

and Harrison decided he was not going to stand still.

This is what we got when we asked him to:

{his ever perfected pout lip}

we came home and the boys passed right out. 

good thing, because Santa had stocking to stuff and more!

to our surprise the boys were up early, so we started with stockings!

then we headed to the family room to see what Santa had left under the tree.

they get one "santa" gift every year, which we always leave unwrapped.

this year, I found this barn. it was handmade by a local craftsman and I spent some long hours painting it and making it perfect for my guys! :)

Of course we couldn't have a new barn without a new tractor and hay baler!

the boys were super excited and spent most of their morning playing and checking everything out.

I took advantage of the quiet time and made a large breakfast, enjoyed some coffee and we sat down together to eat and read the Christmas story.

Bentley really loved hearing the story of Jesus' birthday this year, and made sure we all knew he was born in "away in a manger". Too cute!

Bentley was at the store with me this year when I picked Christmas cards for family and decided he wanted to pick out one for his daddy and one for his brother. I gave no direction, and he carefully looked over the racks for the perfect ones.

This is what he settled on for his daddy...

and this is brothers.

neither had any special meaning other than they were hand picked with love.

{dont worry, I saved them for future giggles.}

There was one present under the tree for Daddy and me that Bentley brought home from school. He made us wait till well after lunch to open it - pretty sure he was paying us back for all the waiting we made him do these past few days! ;)

It came in this precious little reindeer bag, that he colored, glued and made himself...complete with handprint antlers and a bow tie.

and this sweet signature and note on the back.

inside we found this ornament, which he announced "he made special just for us!"

I wasted no time hanging it on our tree, as it is the best earthly gift we received this season.

Our afternoon was spent taking some much needed, long naps. We woke up and watched a new movie the boys got for the THIRD time and continued to play with our new toys! :)

the boys went to bed a bit earlier than normal (no surprise) so daddy and I enjoyed a special dinner.

Christmas fondue, party of two!

It was the perfect day with my guys! Happy Birthday Jesus, and thank you Lord for the amazing gift you gave!!

From our family to yours...

Christmas*Parties {pt1,2}

We kicked off our Christmas weekend with our first party on Saturday night with the Slagh family. Always such a fun party because there are so many kids that are the ages of our boys.

I didn't get a ton of pictures {mom of boys, ya know!} but we had a super fun night playing a fun gift exchange game and chatting with our cousins, aunts and uncles. The boys had fun playing with all their cousins too!

Sunday afternoon marked our second party with the Essenburg side of the family. This too is always fun, considering my Grandma has ALL great grandsons, 7 to be exact, 6 and under. Never a dull moment! 

Thank goodness for big sisters Merci and Lexi who were extra hands to help keep things under control! ;)

Aunt Marcia loves to spoil, and she stole all the boys' hearts with scooters and skateboards!

Our boys had a blast on their new radio flyer scooters!!

the oldest boys got skateboards, and it didnt take this group long to figure out what they were best used for! So many laughs! And no broken bones!! :)

Grandma with all her greats!

Grandkids AND greatgrandkids!

We have a quiet day today of playing with all our new loot and catching up on some sleep! We have one party left (our favorite) on Christmas Eve and we will spend Christmas day at home with just the four of us.

We are holding our heads high, sharing love and making memories this holiday season, despite our recent bumps in the road. We are clinging to our faith and know God has a wonderful plan for all four of us. For that, we couldn't be more thankful!

Again, thank you for the continued prayers and encouraging words from those of you who have reached out! We appreciate it more than you'll ever know.

{{weekend/rewind}}

Been a tough week around these parts. But in the midst of it all we are beyond blessed to have each other, and to know that God is in control and has wonderful plans for our family.
(Thank you to everyone who has reached out with kind and encouraging thoughs and prayers, we have been able to feel them all, for sure! :)

Friday night we were able to get out with some friends to a Griffins game. Our first one together! :) It was a perfect night of laughs. 

And love. I am beyond blessed by this amazing man.

&& this amazing woman. My best friend and baby sister.

Saturday morning Bentley and I headed to church for his christmas program rehearsal.

He stood front and center, with his hands in his pocket, the entire time. 

never did one motion or sung one word.

Saturday night we headed out for a christmas light tour around town.

one of my favorite christmas things.

Sunday brought us church, naps, and the long awaited Christmas program. 

Bentley was so afraid no one was going to sing with him, he asked the whole way (which is not even a mile) to church if we were going to sing along too. We assured him we would.

He took his place on stage. Not only did he participate, he made his own show.

{{thats him on the left(ish) side of the video, yelling MOM, MOM and dancing!}}

&& he couldn't have been more proud. :)

then again, neither could we!

the {most} wonderful time of the year.

i love all.things.Christmas.

here are a few ways we've been getting in the holiday spirit.

we put up the tree, complete with Bentley finishing it off with the star on top!

santa parades happened.

Christmas crafts are coming home from church and school.

annual christmas ornaments have been made.

christmas jammies have been unwrapped. 

and worn.

and snuggled. 

extra special gifts have started to be painted.

the worlds cutest elves helped mail special gifts to those who live far.

christmas cards have begun to arrive from family and friends.

{one of my most favorite things}

cookies have been made.

decorated.

and eaten.

most importantly, time has been spent {with all my best guys since daddy has been home all the time lately too}, memories have been made, and many laughs and SO much love has been shared.

this christmas season reminds me once again what a blessed wife and mommy i truly am!