Christmas

As promised... here are a few of the highlights from our Christmas Celebrations in Indiana.

I love decorating with my Sparkles :)

 This year our neighborhood lined the streets with lit milk jugs Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

After attending our church Christmas Eve service we returned home for a few more of our traditions...
The Sparkles in their Christmas Jammies (Mama even got smart this year and wrapped the jammies in Special paper to make it easier to find and open on Christmas Eve).

 You know who you are that sent these lovely head pieces :)

 Making sugar cookies with Daddy

We may not do Santa but we still do cookies 

 This one makes me giggle... such a brother thing to do

Then it was off to bed.

Christmas morning we headed down stairs to open our family gifts. Here are just a few of the highlights (in an effort to intentionally be in the moment, many pictures were missed but the memories were experienced.)

Cooper was thrilled to get cowboy boots (he calls them fancy fireman boots)

 More big eye animals- Lillian was thrilled to receive her Mama and baby dolphin

 But not nearly as excited as when she opened her cash register... she was wishing for months for one.

 New speakers for her iPod

 Madison is always thrilled to receive movies- this year her top picks were How to Train Your Dragon 2 and the Hobbit 2

 Police and Fire Trucks from Pops and Grann- this is one very happy boy

 A quick picture after opening presents before eating breakfast and heading to Nana and Papa's house.

 More presents...

We are BLESSED!

Christmas Preview...

Here are a few highlights of our Christmas festivities (more to come soon)

A trip to Christmas at the zoo to see the lights.
It was a rather chilly evening but filled with "Sparkles"

 Watching Home Alone together

 Snuggling by one of the Christmas trees (there were 6 this year)

Check back soon...

Flower Girl Lillian

Lillian was asked to be the flower girl in a friend from church's wedding and she was THRILLED.

She even went to get her hair done extra special.

 Showing off their "cupcake" skirts

 Best little flower girl!

May the Sparkles be your Happy Thought for today :)

Skating

The Sparkle girls have been asking and asking to go roller skating and winter break proved to be the perfect time to go!

Cooper wasn't too thrilled at first (he flat out refused to put his skates on initially)

 and preferred for Daddy to do the skating

 Madison has vastly improved her skills and spent the majority of her time on her skates (not her bum)

 Pausing for a quick family photo :)

 before heading off to get a snack.

 Then back out to skate some more

 Cooper seemed to enjoy it by the end...

Until our next adventure.

PS The lack of Sparkle #2 pictures is due to her speed and having too much fun to stop and let Mama take her picture :)

Sick Cooper

The week leading up to Christmas we had one sick littlest Sparkle on our hands...

 Mama even had to take her final exam with a "helper"

 But lots of relaxing with movies

 Snuggles

 and rest

and Cooper- man was feeling better for Christmas :)