Christmas Season

Christmas is always so much fun, but with a 2 year old in the house, Christmas is SO exciting. Not a lot of sleeping got done in the month of December, but who needs sleep?  Brooklyn thought the Christmas tree was the most "bootiful" thing she had ever seen and if even one small present was added under the tree, Brookie was the first one to notice.  

As for the boys, this was the year they pieced the whole "Santa Mystery" together so they were great about playing up "Santa" for their sister.  

This was the first year that Nate and I gave the boys money to go shopping for family members. I enjoyed the fact that Ryan and Brandon were excited about giving presents to others and also seeing the process of them trying to pick a gift their person would enjoy.  The funniest part of this adventure was taking the boys separately to shop for each other.  Wouldn't you know it? They picked almost the exact same thing for each other :)

The kids had their church Christmas program the week before Christmas.  Brandon wasn't feeling well so he stayed home with Dad, while I took Brooklyn and Ryan.  

On Christmas Eve, we went to our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 4:00, headed back to our house to open presents from my side of the family, and then went to Aunt Darlene's house for pizza and treats.  

We opened presents on Christmas morning at our house and then had Christmas Dinner at Nate's parent's.  It was a great day filled with family and love and most importantly. . .a celebration of the birth of our Saviour.

 Ryan and Brooklyn before Church Program

 Christmas Eve

 Pizza

 New Fly Jerseys from Grandma Mona and Papa Kevin

 And pants to match. . .

 Love my new pink sweatshirt from Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Tressa

 Getting my cookies ready to bake

 Story Time  with Great Aunt Darlene

Christmas Morning

 Woohoo. . .Tetherball from Grandma and Grandpa

 My very own Cash Register

New pillowcases for our beds 

Family Pictures

Lowry Family 2013

Ryan-8              Brandon-9            Brooklyn-2

Thanksgiving 2013

We were so fortunate that Grandma Mona and Papa Kevin came to have Thanksgiving with our family this year.  We had a relaxing Thanksgiving Day and then spent the rest of their time with us taking in some of our Thanksgiving Weekend traditions.  Grandma and Grandpa went to the Festival of Trees with us, helped us get our Christmas tree, decorated cookies, took pictures with the kids, and also got to see the Botanical Gardens Aglow.  Their trip went by too quick, but we had a great time!!

 Santa's House

 This was a recurring theme throughout the week. . .Brooklyn was NOT too happy about taking pictures with anyone!!

 Brooklyn writing her letter to Santa

 Boys working on their lists

 Scared of Santa

 Brooklyn not cooperating for a picture

 Winter Garden Aglow

 Again, Brooklyn?

 Figuring out the Scavenger Hunt clues

 Yay!!!  My husband let us get a real tree this year  :)  It was an amazing tree too!!  I'm a happy gal.

 Decorating the tree

Decorating cookies with Grandma