Christmas this year was so fun with the boys. Austin and Braeden truly understand that Christmas is a time when we celebrate Jesus' birthday, and that Jesus came for us. Having said that, Colton is learning, and he carried baby Jesus from our nativity scene while giving him kisses which means he understands Jesus is someone we love.

These boys are such gifts to us, and I can't imagine sacrificing my child for someone else the way God did for us. The love you have for your children is so much more than could possibly fit into a heart. It is a love where you would give or do anything for them, and to think that God loves us even more than that is just amazing to me.

I thank God each night as I kiss each one of these sleeping boys for the precious gift He gave me.

We tried to have fun while taking our pictures for the Christmas card this year. We took a bunch more than this, so I narrowed it down a lot, but thought these were too cute not to post. Enjoy!

On Christmas Eve, Grandma joined us for the Children's service at our church. I think they were thrilled to have her there, don't you!?

Colton and Aunt Jennifer.

Austin loving on Grandma.

Opening gifts. I took more pictures of Lisa and Grandpa too, but either eyes were closed or they were blurry. Hopefully the new lens I got from Andy for Christmas will keep that from happening again. We were surrounded with love, and that's what is important.

Opening gifts from Santa.

Ivy, our Elf on a shelf joined us two years ago. He comes around Thanksgiving every year and watches over the boys to make sure they are behaving. He flies back to the North Pole each night and reports to Santa if they have been naughty or nice. The boys love waking up each morning to see where Ivy will be. This year Ivy really had a great time being silly and having fun when he got back to the house. The boys said he was just shy the last couple of years, and I think that is a good reason why he wasn't as creative. Anyway, here are some pictures of what they found in the morning.

Ivy in the Christmas tree.

Hiding in the candy jar (he managed to eat a few candies and leave wrappers the next day).

Playing cowboy with the nutcracker.

Making snow angels.

The night he made snow angels, he left a note and a Christmas countdown clock.

Bungee jumping from the mistletoe.

Building with blocks (he spelled out "A, B, C, Be Good")

He traded their stockings for underwear! Look closely, he is giggling!

He went to outerspace and played with the aliens.

He drew a reindeer face on our bathroom mirror.

The same night he drew on the mirror in the bathroom, he drew on the foyer mirror and all of our pictures.

He played candyland with some friends.

On Austin's birthday, he woke up early and made birthday pancakes so Mommy didn't have to.

He went on a sled ride.

He ate Austin's birthday cake and left a note reminding them to be good.

He took some friends on a train ride and brought back lots of hershey's kisses.

He wrapped the Christmas tree in toilet paper.

He dressed up like a reindeer, red nose and all.

He read his favorite story.

He left some coloring books in the boys' stockings.

He had a marshmallow fight with some friends.

He took a nap when everyone was sick. Empathy for the boys I am sure.

He hung out on the leg lamp.

He drank from the syrup bottle.

He made Christmas cookies for the boys to decorate and leave out for Santa.

He was a busy little elf, and he was so much fun this year! I hope he can be as fun again next year!

We made (endured) the 3 1/2 hour road trip to Palestine in our pajamas to ride on the polar express. It was fantastic, and we will do it again next year!

Standing in front of the engine. See the fire underneath?

Colton didn't want to sit for a picture after that long car ride.

Inside the train we got to have hot chocolate and cookies.

Colton loved the hot chocolate...it was his first taste. Whipped cream on the nose is proof it was delicious!

Watching out the window.

Saying cheese. So stinkin' cute!

Colton was the only one who danced with the waitress. They sang "Hot Chocolate" from the movie along with other fun Christmas carols.