Christmas in our home

 Here's a peak into our home with all of our Christmas decorations up. I love our nativity from Omi and Opa.  Eventually I'd like to purchase some more figurines to add to the collection.

 Dorthea made this gorgeous needlepoint for our family last year.  I keep it up year round.

 Here's our mini Christmas tree. This year it has a pink and gold theme.

 Soon all four of the candles will be lit on the Advent wreath.

 I love these ceramic Christmas trees. The tallest one was made by my great-grandma McCormick. The other two are from the Holy Family craft sale that we've attended in Rochester.

My mom's stocking from when she was a little girl.

 The crocheted stocking was made by my great-grandma Schuller. I miss her.

Each of the boys has their own ornament box. They each have quite a collection already! Do you like the $1.00 star that I picked up at Target?

 We met up with some great friends at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Lewiston.  We found a shepherd and an angel while we were visiting!

 Our boys are all around the same ages. They enjoyed eating dinner together and running around looking at all of the outdoor lights.  They must have run around the outdoor rosary at least half a dozen times!

Kate and I tap danced together in Oneonta, NY. We've known each other since we were five.  She's a wonderful friend, mother and woman! This is our second time going to the shrine with Kate's family around Christmas time. It's becoming a tradition.

Advent-preparing the way

 We have been preparing ourselves for the coming of Christ's birth in many ways. We've been baking, reading Bible stories, opening our Advent calendar, talking about St. Nicholas and overall enjoying the feelings the this time of year brings.

 Baking gingerbread with the boys! Raphael really wanted to eat a gingerbread boy.

 Once a week we've been having movie night, which includes all you can eat popcorn. Here are the boys watching "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." This is a must see for any family with a dentist!

 We made reindeer hats and used Christmas cookie cutters with playdough.

 We have been playing with friends! Here is Theo with Marisol (7 1/2 months) and Elisa. Marisol is our god-daughter.

 Decorating the tree was lots of fun this year. The boys each have their own ornament box and love remembering who gave them what ornament. Oh the memories.

 Raphael needed some help putting the ornaments up.

 An attempt at some photos under the tree. Raphael kept running away.

 The finished tree.

Just being silly....Happy Gaudete Sunday!

Santa Claus is coming to Amherst!

We attended a pancake breakfast with Santa at Jacob's school. It was perfect, not too crowded, free crafts, cookies and all you could eat pancakes! All-in-all a fun morning.

Jay and Theo.

Jacob eating ALL of his pancakes!

Some of the girls working at the craft table asked if they could put a Santa's hat on Theo. He looked cute, although you wouldn't know it from this picture.

Waiting for Santa on the steps. They were super excited!

Raphael asked Santa Claus for trucks and Jacob asked for boxes and workbooks.  They were so excited waiting in line!

All three of our little men.