Advent Calendar in full swing

 This year felt a little different with the advent calendar. We are busier. We have 3 kids gone...done up and moved away. I'm working and we often leave early for the gym. Laney leaves for school super early so as to not have to park between cars... a solid strategy for a new driver. 

December 1st fell on a Friday, the only day I get up and go to work by 6 am. I figured Mark would take photos while I was gone, but they decided to get up at 5:30 so I could be a part of the kick-off!

We weren't perfect and sometimes we didn't get around to it until the end of the day and the slips of paper were more of a "this is what we did today" rather than a "this is what we'll do today!" situation. 

We worked the big kids into the rotation when they visited...

or finally flew into town...

Ethan was about to pick out when it suddenly hit me that this would be the last time for him.

I really am excited for Ethan and Kassie to make their own Christmas traditions...but I can't help but feel a little sad that ours are starting to change. 

Somehow I missed getting a photo of Everly taking a turn this year 9doh!) but I'm gonna resist the urge to get the decorations out and stage a redo. I did love getting a facetime call while I was at work and watching her unwrap her calendar gift...a special straining pickle jar!

And at long last...Laney was the lucky one to put on the Christmas star!

Until next year!

Christmas Eve 2023

Time to drive back to Kansas.

Law-abiding citizens would make it in 3 1/2 hours.

Mark did it less that 3. 

My half of the circus manage just over 4....we had to go potty many times. 

Every time we embark on a road trip, the boys offer nonchalantly to help drive. I then thank them in a noncommittal tone for the offer and we all know that it's probably not gonna happen. Because you may remember that I dedicated 2 years of my life to each one of them as they learned to drive. And that left a mark somewhere very deep in my soul. 

But....it's Christmas and I miss my boys and it was time to take a breath and let go of the reins a bit. 

Those two boys shared the drive home and we all made it one piece! In fact, I do believe Ethan even bought me a bag of funyuns at the gas station while Mathew pumped the gas. I could get used to this! I had lots of time to scroll on my phone and take little naps. 

Ethan offered to cook his famous Chicken Pot Pie for our Christmas Eve dinner! 

Did I mention that it's Candlelight Dinner night? We're determined to feel all the feels. 

We faithfully played BINGO, even though I wouldn't allow the winners to open before everyone had won a game. You will see why, momentarily.  

And I really did get black out before Everly got a single line of BINGO. She was a very good sport about it.

Matching jammies!! Like, for real this time. And I really love it. I customized the shirts with the help of Courtney and Todd and their Silhouette. I think they turned out cute! And the pants were super soft and comfy....even though they didn't have pockets. (For $6 apiece, we will forgive)

And after all the kids were in bed, the glow of the Christmas tree. 

A Hufford Musical Evening Lives On!

 I love this tradition!

I know we've missed it a few years in the past, but this year I was feeling up to it. Mostly, that just means that I need to get invitations out early and then I will be forced to prepare as the date gets closer....this also applies to birthday parties, Eagle Schout courts of honor and graduation open houses. Just get the thing on the calendar and the rest will follow. 

This year at the Hufford Musical Evening:

A snack spread sponsored by our excess Christmas plates, the meats and cheeses from the Wachter basket and a few low-cost/high labor additions...dinner rolls and an almond cake. We through together a crock pot of lil smokies for good measure. 

The Flynns brought macarons and Meg wasn't mad about it!

 

AJ and Everly warm up for their number with a touch of high level yoga.

AJ and Everly, Angels We Have Heard On High - handbells

 

Everly, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - handbells

Megan, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen arrangement - piano

Jessica Hurst - violin

Sheilah Clarke - ASL 

Mark and Maren, Angel's We Have Heard on High - guitar and viola

And my favorite...everyone just hanging around and playing carols together. 💕

I admit, I'm feeling very proud of myself for planning ahead and making this one happen! 

Gingerbread Condos

 I cannot tell you how grateful I am that the major retailers have responded to my deep need to have gingerbread "houses" NOT be houses every year.  We've done the big house, we've done the mini houses and the trees. We've gone with graham crackers and a couple years in a row, pretended we might make the gingerbread from scratch...that's so adorable.  They say hope springs eternal!

This year I spotted these gingerbread row houses! I love their little staircases! And there are three of them...perfect.

With the gingerbread decorating complete, icing scraped off the countertop and sprinkles swept up, I settled in to work on my puzzle and was treated to an impromptu performance of Little Mermaid...complete with sister waves crashing on the rocks with dramatic flair!

Cookie Time!

 I sure love these sweet faces  And I really love that even in the swirl and commotion of our busy lives, if I make a batch of sugar cookies and put out he icing and sprinkles....

They come!

I love these traditions. 💕

Cocoa bar and old linoleum

 First things first....how cute is this situation?

We are new to the Keurig and having cocoa just a button push away is irrisistable to every little sugar addict in this house. I predict the cocoa station will be ransacked in mere hours. 

Meanwhile, in the basement......

Ooh la la!!

Christmas Eve Bingo Jammie

Well, I did it! It took me 20 years, but I finally remember to have an activity planned for Christmas Eve DAY.  Right?? It takes FOREVER to get to the "eve" part! We need some fun! We need a little distraction! We need...

The gingerbread houses that we were supposed to make last Sunday! 

That's right, I procrastinated this one just where I wanted it. I couldn't have planned it better....cuz I didn't. 

Oh, and it should be noted that once again I had big plans to make our gingerbread from scratch. And then I read the recipe and it said that it has to chill for at least 24 hours. 

Graham crackers it is!!

I present! Mommas: (I'm pretty proud of this one)

Everly's:

Megan's:

Daddy's:

Mathew's:

 

Laney's:

And Anna's:

We scraped all the frosting off the countertops and swept the sprinkles off the floor and before you know it we were feasting on chicken enchiladas and guacamole! We love traditional holiday food, but our craving for something spicy and cheesy had to be satisfied!

And BINGO time!! Mathew did the honors...

And new jammies! 

And aren't we looking cute and maybe a little extra fluffy? The diet starts when the chocolate runs out. 

Merry Christmas!