All ready for Christmas

Before Christmas eve service we drove by the Candy Cane Crib and other houses in town to look at lights.

Christmas eve at Church

At church the children when up front for the story, Where Jesus was born and then they sang away in a manager. 

We came home from church and McKenzie baked cookies for Santa

Carter got the carrots ready for the reindeer.

Christmas morning, Santa was pretty good to all of us.

Christmas day mom, dad, Grandma Lou and John came over for lunch. 

John and Grandad playing a game with Carter.

Christmas night we went to see the magic tree.  It was such a cold night we got out, took a few pictures and got back in the car. 

Christmas with our families

Christmas is such a busy time of year but we are so glad to get to see everyone and spend time together.   The weekend before Christmas was spent Saturday at Mom and Dad's and Sunday Cathy and Bruce came to our house. 

Carter loves hanging out with Uncle John

John and Carter sporting their bibs.

McKenzie and Abby with Grandad.

getting in some snuggle time with this little guy.

McKenzie and Shelly showing off some of their new gifts. 

 Reiche had a lot of help in the kitchen.

Sunday afternoon Bruce, Cathy and Lindsey came by on their way to Cincinnati.  Tim made beef stew for lunch and then we opened gifts. 

Opening gifts from Nana and Bruce

Mckenzie and Carter with Nana and Bruce.

Charlie our Elf on the Shelf

Charlie showed up December 1st and each night she reported back to Santa to let him know if McKenzie and Carter had been naughty or nice.  They were excited each morning to get up and find where Charlie was hiding.  

Charlie found her way to Branson with us.

Checking out the map to Silver Dollar City

She also showed up at mom and dads a few mornings. 

 The last morning she left the kids a note saying, "go look in the mirror"

This is what they found when they looked.

living nativity

We went to a living nativity this year.  Some friends of our family opened their barn to the community, They had an area where Mary and Joseph were with baby Jesus.  They had live animals and McKenzie's favorite...hot chocolate with cookies in the tack room.

petting the miniature ponies 

Henry loved all the animals. 

Grandma Lou, Carter and Shelly

When I turned around McKenzie was in the stable petting one of the horses. 

Carter loved holding the little bunny

McKenzie, Carter and I with Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. 

Dad talking to John Marohl and his daughter Mattie.  John and his wife Sharon are the ones who hosted the living nativity.