Christmas Eve Pictures

The Parents

The Schrader Family

The Kids

Every Christmas Eve we go to church to hear the story of Jesus' birth. It is always a beautiful service with great music and of course the story that reminds us why we celebrate this time of year. This is our most important tradition. The only bad thing this year was that I was supposed to sing and did not have a voice to sing with. I could talk, but could not sing consistently. Not only did I not get to sing for the service, but I couldn't sing out during the service either! To be a vocalist and not get to sing your favorite Christmas songs is torture! Anyway, it is also my tradition to make sure we get some family pictures on Christmas Eve after church. This year it was a little challenging, but here are the ones we got! Merry Christmas everyone!

Holden & TJ

Holden with his sponsor TJ on Christmas Eve

Christmas Shirts

I kept getting this shot! Do you think they love him?
Does this look like a face that can keep you up all night?
(I didn't get what I wanted!)

Enough already, Mom!

I always get the girls shirts to wear on Christmas Eve Day while we celebrate at home. This year I found Holden's first. It said, "All Mommy wants for Christms is a Silent Night" and I couldn't resist it. Madeline picked out Jingle Bells shirts for herself and Caroline. I needed a picture of the three of them for the ornaments they made so I tried to catch one. Here are my results!

Christmas Cookies

Yes, we made cookies in our pjs!

The Christmas Cookie Factory was open on Wednesday. We made lots and lots of sugar cookies to share with our family and friends. Madeline has really become a great help and Caroline is starting to be able to do more. We of course made lots of shapes and lots of colors of frosting. Caroline's request for colors was purple and gray! Madeline wanted to design all the colors and sprinkles! I love this messy day each year. I'm glad my girls like to spend time in the kitchen with me.

Miss Becca

Where's Waldo?

We have the absolute best babysitter in the whole world, Miss Becca. The kids love her and she takes wonderful care of them while we are gone. We were all very excited when she decided not to go to far for college so she could still sit for us sometimes. Miss Becca brought over some very nice gifts for the kids and we gave her the scarf that Madeline especially picked for her. Thank you Miss Becca for the gifts, but for mostly just being Miss Becca. We love you!

Ho, ho, ho! Who is it?

Naughty or Nice?

Santa made a special stop at our house last Wednesday night. He brought special cookies and asked the girls one last time what they would like for Christmas. Caroline was very shy at first, but warmed up in time to make sure he knew she wanted Arthur books. Madeline played along just great, but as soon as Santa left she had lots of questions. She even thought she knew who it it was! Thank you Santa for making your special stop for us!

Big Sister

Caroline got to feed Holden the other day. She was so sweet. She talked to him and kept asking him if he liked it. He is one lucky little guy!

Grandparents Day

Nana, Madeline, & Papa

Madeline loves Mrs. Billups

Sewing with Papa

Sewing with Nana

Finished!

Madeline had Grandparents Day today. Denny's parents, Nana & Papa, were able to make it over to go with her. They had a great time singing Christmas carols and then making a special project. They hand-sewed fleece pillows. Madeline's was covered in horses and the three of them did a great job getting it together! Thank you Nana & Papa for making the trip over and to Mrs. Billups for making it such a fun day! Madeline even got to leave school early and come home to begin her Christmas break! I'm so excited to have her home everyday!

Sh**ters Full! Party

Cousin Eddy

Aunt Bethany's lime jello & catfood mold (or mess)

TJ was the first to try it, followed by Ryan (missed the pic)

JP's face says it all!

Watch out family, this is what we are wearing this Christmas!

Heather & JP (yes, those are red jeans!)

Crissy & Chad

TJ & Kate

Rachel & Jeremy with Julianne

(she made these herself!)

Allison & Ryan

Emily & Jake with Owen

Thanks to the Krogh's we had a very fun National Lampoon's Christmas/Ugly Christmas Sweater party to end our busy weekend. It was a blast. As you can see from the pictures, no one's attire disappointed and we even had our own little tidbits of the movie at our party. It was fun to watch the movie. I always realize how many funny parts I have forgotten about. Thank you, J.P. and Heather for hosting and thanks to everyone for the yummy food and laughs! Merry Christmas!

Miracle on Bethlehem Street

Herald #3

So silly!
(Notice the Mizzou shirt under her robe!) Looking for Baby Jesus

"In accordance with the Papyrus Reduction Act, the announcement of

this counting is necessary for tax purposes."

Look at her face! She was so proud of herself. She really said it so well!

She went slow, had expression, and spoke up just like we practiced!

Did Heralds wear silly bands?! Ha, ha!

Mary & Baby Jesus

(Jesus with a playtex bottle that is!)

Joseph, Mary, & Baby Jesus He was happy again after a burp and getting his swaddling clothes off!

The Heralds

The children's Christmas program was yesterday at church. All the kids did such a good job. Madeline was a Herald this year and she had a very big line with big words. She loved it as always and sang with all her heart! It is so fun to see her enjoy something so much. Holden made his Christmas program debut as baby Jesus. He did a great job right up until the end when he needed a burp. Caroline loved watching, but really wanted to be on the stage. Before it got started she just kept going up there and standing like she was waiting for the others to join her. Too funny! When I told her she needed to come back down she explained that she was checking for baby Jesus! It was a wonderful program thanks to Dana, the best director ever!

Best Friends

Little Golfers

They couldn't reach this game so they put their heads together

and pushed over the ottoman that was sitting there! So funny!

Cupcakes and Chatting!

Caroline absolutely loves her friend Jessi! She prays every night and says, "Thank you God for Jessi because she is my best friend and I love her so much!" They are so fun to watch and listen to. They really are friends. Caroline waits for Sunday so she can see Jessi in Toddlin'. This week was extra special because she got to go to Jordyn's birthday party and play with Jessi on Saturday!