December to Remember

Is it already almost Christmas?! I think so! We had a busy December and I want to share all of our fun before I forget! I didn't have time to create a perfect planned out calendar of fun for each day of December, but I'm pretty sure we hit all the highlights of the season anyway. Christmas lights...check! Hot cocoa and movies...check! Lots of Christmas pj wearing and shopping and time with friends...check! What else did we do this month?

We got to watch the Grapevine Parade of Lights for the first time. 
Since it is at night most of the floats are all lit up and fun to watch. This was a loooonnngggg parade....

but thankfully we got to enjoy it with friends! Some of our neighbors and small group friends joined us and made the night merrier.

We served cookies at the Trophy Club Town Christmas. Jensen got to meet Santa for the first time! Eva took one look and ran away bawling...so no Santa picture for her this year. 

Eva participated in Growing Givers at our church, where all the kids learn about the importance of kindness and giving.

We somehow ended up with THREE inflatable Christmas decorations. I never pictured myself owning even one inflatable. But now somehow, I love them. It's probably the smile on that little girl's face that makes me so fond of "blow ups" as she calls them.

We did candy cane science. Eva observed a candy cane and then watched what happened when it was left in a container of water.

 Eva made herself into an elf.

 We had to rescue the princesses that Elsa froze in a block of ice overnight!

 We made glittery Christmas soap.

 We cooked reindeer pancakes.

 We watched Truthical with friends at Gateway Church.

We went caroling with our youth group. I think Ryan had the whole group photo but I couldn't find it when I was ready to blog. There were other people there, not just us :)

Who wouldn't want to hear this little reindeer sing Christmas songs?

Eva and I decorated a gingerbread house. I won a reusable one at a white elephant party and it worked great! When the holidays are over I just clean it up and fold it away for next year.

Ryan and I had a blast at the Young Life leadership pajama Christmas party. We had tons of fun playing games and relaxing in our jammie jams.

We also enjoyed the Bara Staff Christmas party. It was a sweet night of fellowship with our church staff.

And we also partied with our small group at Inzo in Downtown Roanoke. A huge THANK YOU to all the friends who blessed us with babysitting on the nights we had our holiday parties and gave this mama a much needed break from her children.You are appreciated beyond belief!

We snuggled up and watched Elf. We do this pretty much every month of the year but it is extra fun in December.

 Eva got to spend the night at my parents' and make cookies with my mom. She was sick on the day I had planned to make them with her so I'm glad she made up for it with Mamy.

 We celebrated my Dad's 63rd birthday with a yummy gluten free carrot cake! And Elsa and Anna.

 We helped decorate my parents tree. Or at least the bottom 1/3 of the tree.

We celebrated Christmas with our extended Bradley family and my in-laws renewed their vows for their 40th anniversary.

That's a wrap for the pre-Christmas fun! The credits are rolling on A Christmas Story as I type. The presents are wrapped and stashed out of reach from this little man. Tomorrow we head to Royse City to begin embracing Christmas in all it's splendor. And my poor mangled Christmas tree only has to make it through a few more days with Jensen.