Beginnings of looking like Christmas...

Flash back to a little over three months ago and it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Our holiday-ing began at the end of November with the Christmas Tree lighting in Old Town while Steve's folks were still visiting from Thanksgiving, and the purchase of our Christmas tree, then the weeks that followed included attending our annual visit to the National Tree with a meal at Old Ebbitt's Grill in DC beforehand, a visit with Santa, some sweet holiday performances at school, and lots of other jolly memory-making with family. 

Such a treat to enjoy the beauty of Christmas in Old Town with BOTH sets of grandparents!

We chose a TERRIBLE day to go Christmas tree shopping (non-stop, heavy rain!), but ended up with a beautiful tree that stayed full and fresh all season long.  And the weather just added to the fun memory! Once it dried out, it was time to start decorating...

I love that tongue-out concentration!

Ollie was so into decorating!
(Once he could get past playing with the musical ice cream truck ornament, haha.)

Always a trip down memory lane decorating with all the ornaments collected over the years.

Another fun, new tradition that we started last year was to take a drive to the award-winning home that sets an elaborate light display to music.  It is phenomonal! And so much fun.

Video of the dancing lights

HERE!

One of our favorite holiday traditions is taking in the National Tree display in D.C. paired with a meal at Old Ebbitt Grill.  As always, neither disappoint and we had the extra special treat this year of meeting the executive pastry chef at the Willard who created an amazing gingerbread display of the Reagan National Airport!

While daddy took care of some errands with Ollie one weekend, the girls and I took a quick trip to a bookstore in Old Town where they got a quick visit with Santa!  They were so cute telling the man in the red suit what they wanted. 

Later that evening at a beautiful candle light service at my parentsp church where my dang with the choir! It was a gorgeous performance, but poor Maelee wasn't so sure about holding actual fire!

Our traditional "White Elephant" Christmas party with our church community group, complete with carols at the end!

Pre-K Christmas performance!

Adorable video of Lilee's performance
HERE!

"Happy Birthday, Jesus" cupcakes afterward.

Ollie's Kindergarten Christmas performance!
(And no, the little girl next to Ollie isn't Lilee believe it or not!)

Adorable video of Ollie's performance
HERE!

It's so fun to watch these kiddos in their schools. They are all loving their teachers and classes and are doing so well- praise the Lord!!!

Uncle Dan's here!!!
My brother arrived a few days before Christmas and the kids wasted no time talking his ear off. He is so good (and patient!) with them!

Enjoying playtime with Pop-Pop.

So fun to cook for our family!

Sweet Advent Candle Lighting over a sweet breakfast.

And just pure sweetness.

More Christmas fun
HERE!

Ollie turns SIX!!!

While it may be almost 2 months since we celebrated our boy's 6th birthday, he deserves a full post to document his special day! He was tickled by my surprise lunchtime visit, loved his fun gifts, and was over-the-moon for his birthday party at Pump-It-Up. 

So excited over the new bike and matching helmet!

And he LOVED his new gorilla!!!

Later that day, we joined our neighbors and a few friends that Ollie invited from his class for an awesome party at a cool new venue with inflatable slides and other fun. I think he felt well celebrated!

He wanted a "race track" so in the shapre of a "6," that's what he got!

And some final photos of this handsome boy that we got for his "6 yr Photo Shoot!"

More bday pics
HERE!

and bday party pics

HERE!

He has come so far since his last birthday and is thriving so much at school. He still loves Spiderman, construction vehicles, fire trucks, and race cars, loves to eat (especially meat!), and loves to play, play, play! He is learning to read and really enjoys learning in general. He has such a sweet, compassionate side, and we can see his love of sillyness come out more and more. We are so grateful for our sweet boy!!!