What a Weekend!

What a weekend! Filled with Thanksgiving gatherings and preparation for Christmas!

Love celebrating this "magical" Holiday season with the kids!

Started the long weekend off at the farm for Stang Thanksgiving.

Big kids had a blast playing on the hay bail stacks!

Andray loves being out at the farm.

And so does this Turkey...even in the cold!

Friday morning we realized......CHUCKY'S BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!

For the third straight year, Brenda and I went Black Friday shopping from 3 am - 11 am!

Man we find amazing deals!

Then I love coming home to the kids, so excited to decorate for Christmas!

The ornaments were quite a bit higher this year on the tree...thanks to the ladder!

Every year gets more fun with the kids while decorating the tree, despite only 2.5 hours of sleep the night before!

Carrine was excited to put ornaments on the tree after nap time as well!

Strike a pose Rinny!

Had a nice "surprise" visit from my Mom, Uncle Jeff and Gram!

Carrine was so excited to point out "Chucky" to my Gram! So adorable.

Roz was a great help setting up the Nativity scene.

Big kids were so proud to show Gram the Nativity Scene.

One of my most treasured gifts is this Nativity Scene that my Grandparents gave Jake and me for our wedding. So glad Gram can see us enjoy the Nativity scene with the kids.

Ta-Da! What an accomplishment!

Every year I underestimate how much work it is to take down Fall decorations, drag out the Christmas decorations and get the house completely transformed in one day!

The kids are an awesome help!

And a huge shout out to my hubby who strung the white lights on the Christmas tree not once, not twice, but three times before all the strings of lights continued to work!

Patience is a Virtue :)

Continue to remind myself and the kids the "Real Reason for the Season."

The Advent Season is among us!

Saturday was another BIG DAY for our family!

Big kids and I headed to Barnes and Noble to try to raise money for our school library!

Andray was scared to death to talk to strangers and enjoyed the toy section and kids book section instead.

Roz was good at handing out the free cheese cake :)

Then that afternoon Jake and I brought Andray to church for his First Reconciliation! 

Hard to believe our Little Man is old enough for his second sacrament.

Andray was so proud when he came out of the confessional with Father Jose!

Way to go Andray Paul - we are so proud of you!

Next Sacrament...First Communion!

On Sunday our family got to light the first candle of Advent during mass.

What a way to start off the Advent season on the altar with the kiddos!

Lots to be thankful this Holiday season and even more to pray for!

May you all have a blessed Holiday season with your families!

Counting our blessings, that's for sure, and wishing I could freeze time during this "magical" season with the kids!