Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Thank you Megan for the beautiful pictures of our family!

Nativity

It is important to us that Levi understands the meaning behind all of our celebration at this time of year, and it has been neat to see him understanding the story of Jesus' birth.  He is able to tell the story (with help and sometimes a few strange changes...) and has loved playing with his Little People Nativity set.

He even walked around the other day with Baby Jesus saying, "It's ok Baby Jesus.  Don't cry."

Did you know that the Three Wise Men actually brought a truck full of gifts to Baby Jesus?

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."  

Luke 2:10-11

Christmas Traditions

Mat and I have really enjoyed starting some of our own family traditions with Levi this year.  Although this is his third Christmas, this is the first Christmas that he actually understands what's going on!  

Our elf, Clark, visited us for the first time this year.  Clark is a mischievous elf, and Levi has loved waking up in the mornings (or sometimes after nap time!) to find where Clark has moved.  

Did you know that there's also a movie to go along with the Elf on the Shelf book?  We do.  We've watched it approximately 80,000 times over the last 22 days!  YIKES!!  

We also decorated a gingerbread house.  Mat made an excellent executive decision this year and bought a pre-built gingerbread house.  Levi pointed out where he wanted icing, and I followed directions.  Levi did allow me to had to add a few of my own touches.  :)

Look at that concentration...

 And of course a little taste test

He had so much fun decorating but was a little disappointed when he didn't actually get to eat his creation.  (We had decorated cookies the day before, and I guess he thought this was the same type of activity!)

We haven't done everything we had hoped to do- our trip to Burnet to see Bethlehem got rained out, we missed a trip to Santa because we were sick, and we still haven't made an official trip to look at Christmas lights.  BUT- we have had lots of fun with our little guy over these last few weeks.