Our Christmas

The days of Christmas were filled with fun and laughter in our house. Little boys couldn't wait for Christmas morning and the wonderful gifts to open. While waiting for that special day, we enjoyed many holiday events and spent lots of time with our family. Of course there was a bucket list, and it was fun checking off the things we had done. 

This year I dried oranges slices for the tree.

Decorating the Christmas tree and sending the Polar Express puffing around the tracks made the boys' smiles grow! Ethan asked me many times, "Is it Christmas today?" We did Christmas countdowns with the ABC's of Christmas and cotton on Santa's beard. We even added in some Christmas jokes for laughs at the breakfast table!

Their eyes brightened every time I said, "Let's bake some cookies!" Dough tasting and sprinkles were their favorites! We made lots of goodies together, and I really miss the mess! They helped make cookies for their Sunday School Teachers and for our neighbors. We made lots of soft sugar cookies, gingerbread boys and thumbprint kisses. I tried out several new recipes. My two favorites were orange and rosemary shortbread and orange glazed pecans.

Our gingerbread boys stayed put!

This year we enjoyed a Christmas choir and orchestra performance at Clarksville Baptist Church with Papa and Grandma Pierce and our cousins Breanna and Macaela. This was the boys first time to see something so "grand." Ethan exclaimed over and over during the music and beautiful changing lighting how awesome it was or how amazing it was! After the program, an elder gentleman in front of us turned with a smile to tell me what a joy it was to hear the boys enjoyment and excitement during the program....and all the time this Mommy was trying to shush them! After the service, we took their Trees of Christmas tour and viewed trees that told the story of Jesus and his life on earth....so beautiful. It ended with refreshments and hot cocoa. Now, for boys, what could top that?!

Benjamin Edward

We also enjoyed a drive-through nativity. A roman soldier with a loud voice stopped us and wanted a count for the census. Benjamin asked if he was King Herod! There were shepherds on the hill with campfires and sheep. Angels brightly shinned down on us from atop the church's breezeway and we saw little baby Jesus in the manger. Ethan liked it so much we drove through twice. He said it was "awesome!"

Ethan Paul

The boys spent lots of time looking into the lighted houses and moving the little trees and people that were once part of Grandma Lippert's Christmas village.  It was special sharing memories of how Grandma always enjoyed setting her Christmas village in her kitchen window. We also hung a special picture ornament of Grandma on our tree. Grandma loved them dearly, and I want them to always remember that.

We spent most nights looking at the nativity and talking about the Christmas story. We read through "What God Wants for Christmas" at least three times. The first night when I brought out the story box and told the boys that God wants a gift from us too, Ethan's eyes grew wide and his response was - "REALLY!"  They learned so much by opening the little numbered gift boxes and talking about each nativity character. Ethan was always a little disappointed, though, whenever he got Mary's gift box. He doesn't like girl stuff!! Benjamin always asked where was King Herod! He really didn't like that bad guy! No matter how many times we did it, when we opened box #7 with the little mirror inside they grinned from ear to ear.

Jesus is the Light of the World.

Another outing on our Christmas bucket list was to view some Christmas lights. This year we enjoyed the lights along the Cumberland River in Clarksville. It was chilly but good times were had! Aunt Beth and our cousins went with us too and that made Ethan so happy. He especially liked tagging along with Maribeth and her friend Andrew. They didn't get any alone time that night! In fact, a little somebody kept sneaking into their photos.

Its hard to be serious when you're a Lippert!

The week of Christmas, we happily welcomed dear ones of our family from far away. Cousin Lee came first. And then Uncle Larry and Aunt Tamara from Missouri. Amber, Becca and Jordynne drove up from sunny Florida to spend Christmas with us too. I loved driving up to my parents home seeing the twinkling lights of their tree through the window and stepping inside their warm home to hear the voices of my family inside. A little place but so full of love! All were there except for Uncle Jonathan, Aunt Denice, Shannyn and Colton. They were missed so much.

It was so good for the boys to be around everyone again. Ethan liked Uncle Larry's tough tests and ear tweaking! And by the end of the week, Benjamin was asking for Uncle Larry to tweak his ear too! Thanks, Uncle Larry for the fun!

Little Jordynne really liked sprinkles!

Nana and Jordynne listening to my Christmas music box.

 Aunt Brenda let her jingle the bells on the tree!

Papa Larry and Jordynne. They took lots of walks together.

Christmas eve day was spent playing board games and eating goodies! Our family really enjoys game time. We played lots of Rummikub, Hand and Foot, Apples to Apples, Things, Pit and SkipBo. I will remember those few nights of coffee, games and laughter as the cold January nights come. It will keep my heart warm! We also had to decorate cookies for Santa. The boys really loaded down Santa's special cookies with sprinkles. Ethan was very proud of his.

Santa's Cookie

Look at that face....someone was in the sprinkles!

Papa's church had a candlelight Christmas eve service. The boys and I bundled up and joined them for a lovely, sweet service. Their little church was decorated with beautiful garland, wreaths and bows. They even had a lighted Christmas tree.  Candles flickered in the windows reminding those gathered inside of the Light that shinned in darkness....the darkness of our sinful hearts...the Light that redeemed us and gave us abundant everlasting life. Each of us who had accepted Christ as our Savior were asked to come forward, light a small candle and give a brief testimony. It was a sweet time listening to those precious folks. Of course the boys came along and I helped Ethan hold a candle. I told him he could say, "I love Jesus!" and he did...loudly!  It was a small group but even in the darkness, together our candlelight filled the room. Darkness had to flee!

After all the waiting, Christmas morning came! The boys were excited as they checked their stockings and saw Santa's gifts. Santa really knew what little boys like...coonskin hats and guns! We spent the morning at home opening gifts. Ethan was so proud of the gift he and brother got for Daddy. His smile was so big as Daddy opened his new flashlight! They gave Mommy new kitchen shears and measuring cups! Giving gifts was almost as much fun as getting gifts...almost...that is for little boys!

Then we packed up and headed to Papa's for a late breakfast and more gifts with all the family. Giving gifts and receiving gifts are nice but being together with our family was the best gift.

Santa knew we liked Davy Crockett, the king of the wild frontier!

Wow! A race track for the hot wheels!

Ethan and his little doggie. He says Zoomer is the best dog ever!

Candy canes are SWEET!

Bow and arrows!

Benjamin can now be Red Stick! (the Indian in the Davy Crockett movie!)

Jon and I are so thankful for these little boys!

All too soon Christmas was over and it was time for family to go home. There were lots of hugs, kisses and tears as we said our goodbyes. Hundreds of miles now separate us but we made some great memories....

and memories last 

 even when gifts don't!!