Hunter was all decked out in the Christmas clothes today..he looked really cute and I couldn't resist taking his picture. He actually was all about it....may be know this is one way to stay on the "good list"

Let it snow...

This is what we woke up to this morning! It was so beautiful, even if we didn't get a snow day out of it! Hoping for many more and a White Christmas!

My thoughts...

just wanted to share some thoughts that have been on my mind and heart lately. I don't know why it seems that this time of year we ALL (yes, myself included), get over whelmed with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Trying to make time for this and that, trying to coordinate times to be at this house or that house, who and what to buy for, the list could go on and on forever. But I am really trying not to get too stress out about this and much to my surprise, I have not been THUS far. Some of you all may say its because my tree was up the first week in November, presents were 3/4 bought, wrapped and under the tree, (Side note: now all my shopping is done) true, that may have something to do with it all--but I am had decided last year that I WAS NOT GOING TO GET STRESS AND DREAD CHRISTMAS. Holidays can either be enjoyable or miserable...they are what you want them to be.
Brian and I are blessed to have both of our grandparents living, his great-great grandmother, and both our parents alive too! We try to visit with them as often, but that isn't always case. We do get to talk to them frequently on the phone, blog, and send pictures to those out of town. As you can imagine trying to get to everyone house for the holidays can be quite an adventure in the least. This is when I keep reminding myself, I AM NOT GETTING STRESSED!
Would we like to have a holiday where we could stay at home and do nothing, YES, but wouldn't we all? We say that we would like that, but I know if that was the case, we wouldn't know what to do with ourselves. Soon enough, I am sure that will be the case, when the kids are all grown and out of the house. OK, so it may be another 15 years or so....
I love the fact knowing that we have so many family traditions that have been carried on and passed from generation to generation. I remember when I was small, gather at Grandma's on Christmas Eve, singing Christmas carols, waiting for Santa to arrive and seeing who was going to get read the Christmas Story from the bible that year (it's Hunter's turn this year)! Yes, we still do this!! We are now on the fourth generation!! How awesome is that? Easter egg hunts at Ma and Pa's, singing on Mother and Father's day at Pop and Nana's church, Paradise, Cookie Bake, and Thanksgiving Farnsley's are just a few....
Now that most of the kids/grand kids on both sides of our families are married and have families of their own, its nearly impossible to get everyone together. Please know that we cherish the times we are together and that we love each and everyone of you dearly...I know that I don't say that enough! Can't wait to see you at Christmas, (if it's your year to be at GG's) or the next family gathering for everyone else.
May each of you have a blessed Christmas and may your new year be filled with health and happiness!

Love you~
Jess

Masonic Home

Today after church we took the Christmas Play on the road for our annual trip to the Masonic Nursing Home in Shelbyville. All the kids look forward to performing and it's such a big hit with the residents. We have even been known to ask if we can stay longer, take someone home with us, or even leave our kids there....it's very tempting! I can't say enough how well behaved the kids were and what a great job they do! This is just a little preview of pictures, you will have to wait until the 2oth for the rest!

My sheep: Lana, Hayley, Ashton (Mary) and Stephen

Soo cute....Lana, Ashton and Hayley

"shaggy, smelly, sheep"

Shepherds

Spencer, Haley, Hunter

Hayley and Stephen

Ginger Bread Houses....

Every year, Grandma and Grandpa Fisher (my parents) get the kids over night for some fun filled Christmas Traditions...Ginger Bread houses, Christmas jammies, and a sleep over!!! The kids have SO much fun getting to play with icing, candy and creating their eatable works of art--they really are too cute when it's all said and done!

This year on Friday night, they went shopping and picked an Angel from the tree to buy for. I am so glad that the kids have the understanding that we need to help the less fortunate and that it's always better to give then receive! They both were so excited to tell me about the shoes, clothes and coat they picked for their angel. Tonight when I was putting them to bed, Hunter even prayed for his person....that brought tears to my eyes!

I am so blessed that my parents have continued with some of the traditions that we had as children and started new ones for their grand kids to enjoy as they get older.

Silly kids

Hayley, Hunter and Keegan

artist at work



hard at work

making the roof

Concentration

Candy...I mean "cheese"

So proud!

Keegan eating as he creates

George was even apart of all the fun

So proud...

Hayley took her first Black Dot AR (Accelerated Reader) test today and got a 100%!! This is a big deal, most Kindergarden students do not start trying to read and/or take test until the end of the year, but Hayley has already begun! Looks like she is following in her brothers footsteps, although she wouldn't admit to it to save her life!!!

Hunter had the most AR points in his class for the month of October, with a total of 11.6. Each child is required to have a point per week! Mrs. Sieicki said that he is on his way to taking over and teaching her class!

Advent Calendar

Well, it's officially December 1st so and that means we can start our new Advent Calendar, Grandma Fisher bought us. There has been a lot of talk as to who was going to put up the first piece of the puzzle, but thanks to George's help it was easy!! Hayley has been doing very well with her attitude and not whining so much so she was the winner of the first day! I am excited to see what it all looks like come the end of Christmas!

Hayley with our new calendar

Day 1

Mary was the first person up