It’s the MOST wonderful season of all…..

This really is the most wonderful time of the year…..

and this year was especially Wonderful, in every sense of the word.

It was our first “advent” with our Tolly-pop!

and ….Oh, the wonder that her eyes beheld….

She soaked in every. last. drop.

I love that about her….

I love how she notices each and every detail of the “wonderful” in just about everything……

Last year we spent our advent in China ( Dec. 7- 23) receiving our most precious Christmas gift ever.

So, we essentially skipped most of our traditional advent activities.

Of course, it goes without saying that it was MORE than worth it!!!!

 And, it just made this year all the more special, celebrating and preparing for  the birth of our Lord and Savior, as a family of 7!

Here were some of our traditions and memories made. ( PREPARE FOR PICTURE OVERLOAD)

First, this is Nana’s tradition.  Last year she started this with kids when she was watching them while we were in China, and they spoke so fondly of it!
So, Nana decided this would be her new tradition: Gingerbread houses with cousins at Nana’s house!

She worked very hard to get these houses ready for the incoming decorations by lots of little fingers!

after the gingerbread houses were completed, it was off to decorate Nana and Pop-pop’s tree!!!

My most favorite part of decorating the tree is seeing the awe on sweet Tahlia’s face as she takes in the tiniest detail of each special ornament.

 **********************************************************************************

Another tradition that we do each year is try and make a homemade gift for special neighbors and friends. Most years it’s just cookies, but this year I wanted to try something new!

We decided to make some M&M cookie mix jars (seeing that this is my kids’ favorite candy!)

 And this is how I kept everyone occupied as I had each child personally help! I threw a gaggle of crafts at them and just let them at it!! 🙂

 Traditionally, being that Brian’s side of the family is Italian, we have a Christmas Eve Seven Fish dinner!!!

This is always a lot of fun, and kinda smelly! 😉

This mirror is painted each year by Papa Buddy. He used the grandkids’ feet and they LOVED it!!!

Grandma Pat making the porch pretty and ready for all the good food!

SNOWING ON CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!!!!!!!

Uncle Jason letting the girls touch snow!!!:)

Ashton likes listening to Pop-pop’s stories….

******************************************************************************

‘TWAS the day and night before Christmas (and more traditions and memories were celebrated)……

that’s when we made our Jesus Birthday cake….

and we made cookies for Santa…..

SHE WAS SO PROUD OF HER WORK!!

But, mostly….she was in love with the sprinkles!

 ********************************************************************************

And the kids got to exchange their gifts (that they went shopping for at “FIVE below” weeks before) to each other!

Helaina made daddy an Italian Flag

priceless expression

that’s YOU, BELLA!! And, thats ME!!!

it’s Tahlia and Isabella dolls!:)

**************************************************************************

and, this is something that the kids had been working all week (in homeschool)

…. a surprise for daddy.

They put on their own drama presentation of the “First Christmas”……

He was very surprised, and I was so proud of the kids, they did a great job!!

It was a precious moment that I am so grateful to have on video!! Everyone was involved….even sweet Tahlia!

here is their video!

***********************************************************************

and finally, it was time to leave the cookies out for Santa……

Ashy didn’t want to forget Santa’s reindeer!

and, the kids got their new Christmas jammies!