Advent Season

This year we decided to celebrate Advent with nightly devotional time.  Josh would read a short devotional and Ava colored a paper ornament that correlated with what we discussed.  Then we put the ornament on a piece of felt and let Ava put it on her felt Christmas tree.  We also had a different activity each day, which was so much fun.

 

 

Day 1 - I cut out a Christmas tree from felt while Ava colored and decorated felt ornaments to go onto the tree. This way she had a tree of her own to decorate throughout the season.

Day 2 - We put up Ava's play nativity scene.  The angel playing "Away in the Manger" was her favorite part.

Day 3 - Ava picked out her Christmas ornament for this year, and chose one with a number 2 and a place for her picture.  I was surprised that she did not want the Elmo nutcracker or the cute doggie ornaments.  This is one of my favorite traditions, one that my parents started with us when we were kids.  Each year we picked out two ornaments for the tree, with our names and the year on it.  I love all the memories that I have with each one, and can't wait for the girls to have these same great memories from their ornaments, too.

Day 4 - We had a dance party to Christmas music.  Too cute to see Ava dance and even sing to some of the songs.


Day 5 - Christmas lights!  We parked across the street from Vince and Associates and watched their amazing light show to Christmas music.  All I can say is wow!  Then we drove through our first trip to Candy Cane lane, and a few other houses that were well decorated.  Ever since we viewed all the Christmas lights, Ava squeals "Momma!  Look, Christmas lights!"  Even when it's just a single strand.  She definitely gets her excitement for Christmas from her mommy.

 

Day 6 - We took a trip to Parsons to visit the grandparents.  Papa, Ava, and I had a great time at their Christmas parade.  I haven't been to the parade since in over 15 years.  What a treat, and Ava had such a great time and scored a ton of suckers!

"Where'd they go?" (the band)

Day 7 - Ava and I visited Uncle Bryan in Tulsa, and had a great time at the Tulsa aquarium.  (see link for all the pictures!)

Day 8 - Ever since I was a little girl, I always looked forward to the Frizzell Christmas party more than any other event at Christmas.  When I was growing up, it was always Christmas Eve and was either at my grandparents house or my Uncle Ralph and Aunt Diana's home.  Now that our family has become so big, we celebrate one of the weekends before Christmas.  But it is just as wonderful as it always was.  We had a great time at my Uncle Bill and Aunt Sharon's home this year, with almost everyone making it!

The spread....and this picture doesn't include the deserts!

Ava playing with her cousin, Grayson.

Cousins.  Peyton, Ava, Grayson.

Ring around the rosey with Mimi!

Christmas train with cousin Canon.

With Uncle B & Jessica.

Family.

Day 9 - Ava's first time making cookies.  And by making cookies, I mean we broke apart the pre-made cookies and placed them on a cookie sheet.  Yeah, I am just not a baker.  But Ava loved it and thought the cookie was fantastic - I think this may have been the first cookie she ever ate, since she's gluten free.  (Next year I have aspirations of making sugar cookies with icing.  We'll see how that goes.)

 

Day 10 - Ava colored some Christmas coloring pages while we listened to Christmas music.

Day 11 - Ava opened a new Christmas book that tells the story of Christmas (from the Indellicate family). We read it every night until Christmas!

Day 12 - Christmas present shopping.

Day 13 - We spent a family day at the new Kansas City Aquarium, Sea Life.  (See this link for the great pictures)

Day 14 - We were supposed to make salt dough ornaments, but work ran really, really late. Maybe next year. :(

Day 15 - We watched the story of Saint Nicholas from Veggietales.  (Thanks Netflix!)  We even have the book that goes along with the movie, and read it almost every night.  What a great story of giving!

Day 16 - Santa Claus craft night!

Day 17 - We read the Polar Express and a few other Christmas books that we checked out of the library.

Day 18 - The initial plan was to go on a carriage ride around the Plaza to look at lights, but Josh became sick so we decided to stick around the house and bake cookies again!

Day 19 - The Story of Christmas coloring pages.

Day 20 - Ava's first snow!  She had a blast playing in it on her new sled.  (Check out the blog post here.)

Day 21 - Ava spent the day with her grandparents while Josh and I got a much needed mini-vacation away.  We spent the day at Silver Dollar City in Branson, and had a wonderful time seeing the crafts, lights, and shows.  This will be a yearly must do - I can't wait to take Ava next year!

Day 22 - We spent a wonderful Christmas dinner and day with the Frizzell family again.  I can't wait to be closer so that we can see each other all the time.  My family is made of some of the most loving, warm-hearted, and joyful people I have ever met.  I am so blessed to have each and every one of them.

Ava and her cousin Silas were instant best-buds.  LOVED the doggie too.

Day 23 - Spent the day wrapping gifts - I love doing this!

Day 24 - Christmas Eve.  We attended our church's candlelight Christmas service (beautiful!) with the grandparents.  After dinner, Ava opened her new Christmas jammies.

Merry Christmas!