Christmas

Most people feel glad when the holidays are over and families go home however for our family, it feels a little sad this year.  We have enjoyed the entire holiday season in our newish home.  It hasn't been quite 6 months yet of living here so, still new to us.  We have had a lot of fun playing the Wii and board games, watching movies and staying up a little late with all three boys.  Thursday December 20th was supposed to set off our parties with Caleb's preschool party however with a blowing snowfall school was cancelled for the day and so was his party.  It was only delayed one day though.  Jonathan and Noah had school on friday and started off the day with an all school sing.  This is always one of my favorite things the school does.  A few kids sing or play instruments and in between those songs the entire school sings some Christmas songs and yes even Away In A Manger.  I just like seeing all of the grades together, having fun and singing.  Caleb and I look forward to it every year, only next year he will be in Kindergarten so he will get to participate like his brothers.  Then to end the school day, Jonathan and Noah both had great parties.  We then spent Saturday morninggetting ready for the Christmas program at church.  We did a musical called Mary Had a Little Lamb.  It has kids singing and uses puppets to tell the story.  This was my first time directing anything like this and I was nervous.  I'll post pics in another post, Heath took them all on his phone.

For the rest of Saturday we did a lot of celebrating.  We had the Prebble Christmas at my parents house.  Both of my brothers and their families came and the kids had a great time playing and so did the adults.  Phase 10 is a family favorite.  We also celebrated two of our nieces birthdays.  Ashlee turned 8 and Jordyn turned 3!  They are both so cute and it was a lot of fun.

Noah had a few solos and did a great job.  Jonathan actually sang which is big for him.  He is terrified to sing in public. After the program we had lunch with our youth group and went bowling which is always fun.  Then in the evening we had our church's Homecoming Christmas and this year Noah got to sit on stage with the adults.  He was so excited and proud to be up there.  Each person who sings or reads or plays an instrument gets to sit on stage, making it a Homecoming, kinda like the Gaithers.  He sang another solo song that night and did a great job. It was hard for this momma to keep from tearing up.  He looked so grown up singing with the choir and by himself.  Christmas Eve we were able to go to service with my parents to their church.  Afterwards we headed to their house where we exchanged gifts with them.

We have a tradition where we let the boys open one gift on Christmas Eve.  They have set rules to that tradition that it has to be the smallest present.  Maybe one of these years we will trick them with that small gift.  Maybe when they are older.  After they set out covered pretzels and kool - aid.  They usually do milk instead of pop because according to daddy, santa needs a sugar high to keep him going.  AKA daddy doesn't like milk!! LOL    All three actually went to bed pretty easily.  They were excited but pretty tired from so many days of parties and fun.  This year Jonathan was the first to wake up and could not wait to get everyone up and for my parents to get here and watch them open.  The kids are always so excited but it seems like we wake them up every year.  It was fun this year.  The boys were so excited to open and Caleb was very animated which made it even more fun.  After we opened and the boys spent some time playing we packed up and headed to Council Grove for the rest of the day to have our Franke Christmas.  We watched movies, opened gifts, played games and ate.  It was a great afternoon.  We hated for Heath to head back to work on Wednesday but the boys had a lot of fun playing with all of their new toys.

As we near Monday the boys will be heading back to school, Heath will have a full week of work and I start school as well.  Actually I've already started but its official on monday.  The boys are excited to go back to school...which is nice.  And I'm looking forward to starting these classes only because I know it means I'm getting closer and closer to graduating.  And...as much as i dislike a busy schedule that is what we have over the next few months and its full of basketball.  Between Jonathan and Noah we are headed to either a practice or game most nights.  But they love which means I love it. I love watching them play.

Have a great first full week of the new year!