Chrismtas!!

Our Advent activities on Monday and Tuesday were both kind of flops...we actually skipped the activity on the 22nd because it was too cold to get out - movie night at home instead! - and we went to look at lights on the 23rd, but it was SO CROWDED that we had to leave after only 2 very slow streets.  On Christmas Eve we let the kids open a gift from us...the Disney Beat the Parents board game!  We've had fun playing it a couple of times.  That night we went to our Christmas Eve service at our church.

Then, it was finally Christmas morning! 

I know it's weird that we got Charlotte a Maleficent doll, but strangely she was begging for it after seeing her on the Disney website. 

 

All three kids were really excited about their gifts!

 

Charlotte got an Ariel doll...

Elsa dress, Sophia hoodie, Belle nightgown, a couple of playsets for her Sofia castle, and a stocking full of more princess stuff!

Hunter got a ton of Xbox stuff...Rock Band, Guitar Hero, Skylanders...and some TNMT toys...

Grey got this puzzle...

Good thing he can't realize how lame that is compared to his siblings;)

Char also got a Frozen (our new favorite movie!) book...

Minnie bubble bath...

And a Minnie necklace...

Grey also had a book and car in his stocking...

And this rolling monkey and snacks...

 

I've really struggled with all of the commercialism this Christmas.  It's kind of disgusting to me that we spend SO MUCH MONEY on things that we probably won't even be using in 2 years when there are women in Africa who are homeless because they have been raped by the militia and then turned out by their families because they become pregnant from the assault. 

 

Sin entered the world long ago, and now it is a dark, cruel place.  I am thankful that in that darkness, I can see the light of Christ.  I hope that I can share it with others, so that they can receive the hope of Jesus.  What a God I serve!  The perfect example of selflessness and grace.  Happy Birthday, Jesus.  I'm so glad that you decided to come to Earth to be born.