Happy 7th Birthday Ryan

7 years old my dear Ryan!  You have grown up so much this past year and continue to bring so much joy and excitement to our family.  It is always hard having your birthday right after Christmas but we try to make it really special for you.  You had been asking for a drone for Christmas, and knowing that we had our Disney World surprise we knew that we did not plan on getting you one for Christmas.  You were so excited to receive one for your birthday.

On your birthday we had a fun family day, playing at Skate Daze with your brothers.  You were able to get the day off from school (thanks to your great teacher!) and then your dad made your favorite meal (steak) for dinner.  We finished the night off with some home made birthday cake.

Later that week we got together with our extended family for the activity of your choice which was bowling and laser tag.  You had so much fun and were so excited to spend time with everyone!  It was a great birthday!

Our Christmas 2016

Christmas 2016 was a busy but wonderful time!  My husband being an Emergency Room physician has to work holidays and Christmas was his holiday to work this year.  He is amazing though and pushes through making sure to dedicate time to family while also working clinical shifts (and getting very little sleep!).  Christmas Eve we were able to celebrate with my in laws and have a lovely home cooked meal, play Christmas Carols, and open gifts together.

Christmas morning we continued our tradition that when everyone wakes up the only thing under the tree is the greatest gift of all, a manger with a figurine of baby Jesus!  Our children get so excited to see this as they know that means Christmas has finally come!  

We went to morning Mass early and then came home to have a lovely family breakfast.  Our church was so beautifully decorated and the boys really enjoyed examining the Nativity scene.

After breakfast my husband and I opened gifts with the kids.  We always do three gifts per child to represent the gifts from the Three Wise Men.  This year we had a BIG surprise and all of their other gifts led up to it.  First, they all received Mickey Mouse themed t-shirts.  Next, they received a gift together of a Mickey Lionel Christmas train that we will be able to put under the tree in years to come.  Finally, they opened a framed picture saying "Surprise!  We are going to Disney World!!"  We go in February 2017 and cannot wait.

We ended the day going to my parents house for an early dinner and opening presents before my husband had to go to work again!  It was a great day and we are truly blessed.  Happy birthday Baby Jesus!

O Antiphons

This year we celebrated the O Antiphons in a different way that we have done in years past.  Each day as we studied the Antiphon for the day we also had a little gift or activity to help deepen our learning and experience!  It was a lot of fun and definitely something that we will hopefully continue to do in years to come.

O Wisdom

To help gain wisdom our children received a new book about the Baltimore Catechism.  They have been starting to study the Catechism during school time and this is a great addition to help increase wisdom!

O Adonai - House of Israel

On this day we decorated a gingerbread house!  It was a lot of fun, and something cute to do to help learn a little more about Jesus and his different titles.

O Radix Jesse

On the day that we learn about Jesus being the Root of Jesse and his family history we had "root beer" to celebrate!  It was a fun treat and even more fun because we were able to share it with friends.

O Key of David

The children received a fun puzzle of two keys on this day!  It was fun to watch them all play with the puzzle.

O Radiant Dawn

On this day our children received a new lite candle with the Nativity scene that plays music.  May they always know that Jesus gives us eternal light!

O King of All Nations

We studied Jesus being a King and also spoke of the Three Kings who visited Jesus after his birth.  The children received the three gifts of the wisemen on this day.  They loved them so much and processed around the house all day singing "We Three Kings"!

O Emmanuel

On this last day of celebrating the O Antiphons we laid out our empty manger in preparation for Christmas morning.  This is a tradition that we have had for a few years and it was really special to put out the manger, listen to "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" together as a family and quietly prepare for Christmas!

More Advent Fun

I'm catching up with fun Advent memories and thoughts, with lots of fun pictures as well!

The Magic of Christmas

I love to watch little ones examine the Christmas Tree.  They love everything about it; the lights, the texture, examining the ornaments.  Those first few Christmas's are so much fun to see it all through their eyes. 

Making Potecia with my Parents

Making Potecia (a special sweet bread) has been a family tradition since I was a little girl.  I love that now my parents continue this tradition with our children.  

Christmas in the Forest 

A local retreat center has a great event during Advent called Christmas in the Forest.  You walk around outside, the children get to dress up in costumes and you reenact and learn about the nativity story!  We have gone for a handful of years now and always have a great time.

Christmas Run

This past year I have really been focusing more on my own personal health and fitness.  I have started running a lot more and I ran my first 10K with my sister!  It was great to do something good for myself as well as create a special memory with my sister.

Special Time with Jesus

Throughout our weeks our little ones often ask to go to "see Jesus".  I try to go to Adoration one a week, and often will take either all or a few of the kids with me.  Sometimes I/we go for an hour, but more often than not its for 15-30 minutes.  Especially during this time of year it is so nice to go spend some special time with Jesus.

Christmas Reading

We always love our read aloud time in our house, but there is something especially nice about cuddling up next to a big stack of Christmas books.  We read, read, and then read some more.  Its a beautiful way to spend out days.

A Preschoolers Nativity

I love to see how little ones play independently and how they imagine things.  I found our three year old setting up our Nativity figurines to travel in the school bus!  These are the memories I adore.

Ice Skating

I cannot believe how great our oldest two sons are doing at Ice Skating.  Last year they they still needed quite a bit of assistance so I was shocked at how well they did independently!  It is so much fun to see them learn these new skills.