The Halman Life

Christmas, that is…And this weekend we soaked it up! It started with Isla’s pre-k Christmas program. She’s participated in it for the past 2 years, but this, her 3rd and final year, made me all teary eyed. I suddenly realized her preschool years were coming to a close and this would be the last time I would see her singing her little heart out on the steps of Palms church, at least for a preschool program. She did wonderfully though, the voice of an angel. They sang silent night with sign language, Santa Claus is coming to town, and We wish you a Merry Christmas. It was short, but oh so sweet!

We dubbed Saturday night, “Family Fun Night.” On the list of things to do was decorate a gingerbread house, bake Christmas cookies, drink milk from the North Pole, and watch a movie. Cinotti’s provided a Gingerbread house kit and the kids brought creativity and a sweet tooth…

They ate so much frosting, m&m’s, skittles, mike and ikes, and fruit loops, that I thought for sure they’d be sick. Turns out kids have stomachs of steel and were ready for more sugary treats…

So we headed into the kitchen to bake some cookies….

After dinner I surprised the kids with milk from the north pole and sugar cookies….an idea straight from one of my favorite blogs of all time, Enjoying the small things. They LOVED it…

And this one, he’s going to be crawling very, very soon. All he wants for Christmas is to be mobile, baby! We are loving this time of year and can’t wait for all that the next 2 weeks have in store!

May you all be Merry and Bright!

There is so much to be thankful for. I’m pretty sure you all know just how grateful I am for everything we have as a family. Every day we get to spend together is another day I give thanks. Words can’t express how much gratitude I have and so tonight I’ll let the pictures do most of the talking…

Thanksgiving morning we woke up and let the usual traditions commence. Hot chocolate, pancakes, Macy’s Day Parade, log in the fireplace, lounging in our pajamas until naptime, and it was wonderful.

Our Thanksgiving feast was served to us at Coach and Gigi’s house. We sat down, answered the question card that was handed to each one of us, stuffed our faces and bellies, laughed, drank wine, and made memories. And like all other years before we walked down to the bridge after dinner in hopes of settling our tummies to make room for dessert.

Thanksgiving 2011, you were awesome!

The day after Thanksgiving meant tree picking and decorating time. Every year we swear we aren’t going to go back to Coach’s tree lot because the trees are just so darn expensive but no one can actually walk away from that tradition. I’ve been going with my mom, dad, and brother for as long as I can remember and we all met up again on Friday.

We spent Friday and Saturday decorating our Frazier Fir. Each year Isla loves going through the ornaments and talking about the story behind them. Which makes me so glad that I get them a new Hallmark keepsake ornament each year. Leo liked throwing the round ones around and even broke a few. Boys will be boys. Palmer loved the bright lights and used them as teething toys. Probably not that safe, but hey, he’s our third, anything goes.

And the “Stockings were hung by the chimney with care.” Everyone fits perfectly!

We gave thanks on Thursday, we decorated for Christmas on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday we got to celebrate Palmer’s Baptism.

Baptisms are so touching. To know God will forever have his hand on my children to guide them and love them through their lives warms my heart. I literally feel all warm and fuzzy inside the moment they are Baptized. Just as I did myself when I was Baptized at 13 years old. After the final handful of water was placed on Palmer’s head, he lifted his head up with a shocked look on his face like he felt it too. Such a special moment. He was an angel the entire service which was no surprise…

(Pastor Tom Walker has Baptized all of our babies)

Afterwards we had a brunch at our home and enjoyed time with family by the fireside. Palmer got snuggles from Coach, Granny, Paw Paw, Aunt Linda, Papa, Gigi, and B.B and Heather. Such a lucky boy he is.

Isla and Leo knew it was a special day too. They helped Pastor Tom introduce Palmer to the congregation, they were well behaved during the service (aside from Isla playing in the holy water), and were all smiles back at home. They especially liked the cupcakes.