It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

We have been counting down to Christmas for the last week! Maddox had his class party, and I was able to help set up and facilitate the “minute to win it” games!

I grabbed dinner with friends, an annual tradition.

The Elf on the Shelf (aka Mrs. Reeves) made a special visit on pajama day at school.

Cousins matching for pajama day!

Cantrell Christmas and visiting family back home …. One of our favorite days of the year!

We celebrated with Uncle Grant, Granny V and Sib as well!

The boys love getting money jars from GranDan!

We went to daddy’s home church on Sunday. We got to see Jacob Baden since his dad was singing with his brothers and dad for a special Christmas quartet.

Cousins :)

Candlelight Service at TBC on Sunday Night 

Making Cookies at Grammy and Grandpa’s

We made our Happy Birthday Jesus cake today as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth!

Christmas Parades and Performances

We’ve had another busy week as we countdown to Christmas Break! One more week to go! I love that Beau keeps me company sometimes when I work out (just like his four-legged brother used to do). I looked over and he was watching me on the elliptical this week!

Zander was able to walk with his teammates and coach in our local Christmas parade. Grandpa, Maddox and I got to watch the parade while our soccer player walked by!

We have been working on our children’s Christmas program since September! It is something I love being involved in and Maddox (along with his cousins) did a great job showing the audience the true meaning of Christmas. This year’s theme was “It All Happened in the Country” and the kids looked great in their country attire!

Beau watching me do a DVD workout on another morning.:)

We had Zack’s Christmas party last weekend! It was fun to have a night out thanks to Grammy!

Zack bought a human size dog bed…. I think the human children might like it more than our four-legged addition but we are having fun with it regardless!

We got to see Santa last weekend with Grammy and Grandpa as well! I hope these boys have been good enough to convince Santa to visit our home again this year. ;)

Happy Thanksgiving from the Houstons

 I’m realizing I haven’t posted since before Thanksgiving! So I will attempt to catch up in this post. For me, the biggest thing that has happened since my last post was that I found out last night that I am a National Board Certified Teacher! I had to take an exam and complete three additional writing components (on assessment, my teaching abilities and writing instruction). I spent countless hours writing, editing and studying and cannot believe I did it! Thank you Lord for this incredible blessing!

We had our work Christmas party last night…. I love the people I get to work with every day!

This last week, Zander had an orchestra concert the same night that Maddox had a music performance at school. I got to catch the first portion of Z’s concert and made my way across town to cheer on Maddox (who also played an instrument as part of the Elf Band). Grammy, Grandpa and Aunt Lindsey stayed with Z while daddy and I watched M! It takes a village but I’m so thankful for the one I have that loves and supports our boys!

Beau had his first snow and we had a snow day for the first time in years! It wasn’t much and mommy had a teacher workday but we enjoyed a different schedule on Tuesday!

Jingles, Maddox’s elf, came back to visit us in my office this Christmas season. Maddox loves seeing all the different places that Jingles moves around our room! It’s magic!;)

We got to celebrate Thanksgiving with both sides of our family… Zack’s crew on Thursday and my crew on Saturday, last weekend. We love time with our family!

On the Friday after Thanksgiving, Zack took the boys shooting on a friend’s land while I went running with one of my BFFs, Carmen! It was a great day for everyone!

Beau got hurt running down the stairs with a stuffed animal much bigger than himself. He snagged his do claw and needed a temporary bandage to stop the bleeding and protect it from getting infected. He seems to be doing better now.

We had Balloons over Sedge Garden before Thanksgiving where the kids participated in Macy’s Day Parade themed activities!

This tree keeps getting bigger each year. Zack does a great job decorating it with Christmas lights!

Zander finished out his fall season with a win!