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Friday, December 5, 2014

thankFULL celebrating bits


a few bits from a last weekend.
four days and nights at home filled to the brim with goodness, baking and gathering. 
here's a wee look and memories to cherish!


thursday's thanksgiving at home and celebrating
 jane's birthday was extra special.
even if it did end with the cowboys getting crushed 
as depicted in that picture up there of mr. grumps.
a wonderful day spent baking, roasting, game playing, 
lego building, puzzle solving, candle blowing and all over thanksgiving.


friday brought round two of thanksgiving day baking, brining, trimming and decorating 
as we made preparations for hosting our 2nd annual defoyd/payne thanksgiving barn feast.
twinkle lights, greens and bells were this year's theme.
i then got to scoot back to new braintree for a super fun night 
in my little hometown celebrating with dear friends 
and surprising my brothers by crashing a hometown party 
for a little game of ping-pong.


saturday brought grandma, papa, aunts, uncle, cousins and...
mr. & mrs. claus!
oh what fun we had feasting, barn dancing, name drawing, wine sipping 
and topped off with a couch-side view of the town's fireworks celebration.
an awesome day!
(thanks auntie cheryl for sharing some of your photos!)


and finally sunday as a day to celebrate my mama's special birthday.
we are so thankful for her!
a wonderfully full...thankFULL weekend!

xo!

Monday, December 1, 2014

advent and unwrapping the greatest gift


'tis the season of advent.
a time to prepare our hearts with 
daily devotions and activities 
that celebrate emmanuel.
this year in addition to our 
with ann voskamp's beautiful family devotion.
this book is truly a work of art,
filled with the most beautiful script and reflections.
instead of ordering the jesse tree ornaments - 
the kids are making their own to trim their very own jesse tree.
i pray that their little hearts and minds will 
hear, love and live the truth of this most blessed advent season.
merry christmas sweet friends!

and for my bits & bobs memory bank, and perhaps to inspire 
your own advent preparations,  i share our advent activity agenda.

day 1: unwrapping the greatest gift and start your own jesse tree
day 2: turn the doors into snowmen
day 3: popsicle stick christmas trees and stars
day 4: donate to the food pantry
day 5: christmas movie night marathon
day 6: mail letters to santa
day 7: make peace letter art for home
day 8: mail christmas cards to family
day 9: go out for ice cream after ella's choir concert
day 10: write and illustrate the nativity story
day 11: wear pajamas and take a drive to see the christmas lights
day 12: carol around the circle with friends
day 13: create gingerbread houses at the library
day 14: make a giant star for home
day 15: have a christmas crafternoon
day 16: put money in the salvation army bucket
day 17: christmas carol karaoke party
day 18: attend ella's school concert
day 19: go out for donuts before school
day 20: bake and deliver treats for neighbors
day 21: have a hot cocoa party with friends and santa claus (aka wes)
day 22: give cards and gifts to teachers
day 23: make and donate fleece blankets
day 24: open one present
days 25: celebrate jesus' birthday

oh and in case some of you were wondering,
yes we have the elf as well.
the hide & seek fun provides a pleasant boost 
to the morning grumps.