December

December was a busy month, as always, but filled with many wonderful memories...

Violet had a little Christmas program that she did with her Joy School.  It was fun for them to have all their daddy's and siblings come watch them perform.  She did great singing songs in front of everyone, but when it came time to deliver her line as the innkeeper "no room"...she completely froze.  She cracks me up.

Nate had his Dental Christmas Party, which was Casino Royale themed.

Star Wars was a big theme in our home throughout the holidays this year.  We decided that, with the new movie coming out, it was time to educate our kids.  We spent several weeks watching all 6 of the Star Wars movies, in preparation.  The kids LOVED it.  They have really embraced all things Star Wars, much to Nathan's delight.  So then Nate and I went and saw The Force Awakens.  We decided that Sawyer and Violet could handle it, too.  So the next day, he took the two of them to see it.  They had a blast!  They also had dinner at the BX and wrote some cards for deployed servicemen and we filled a stocking for wounded warriors as well.  

This picture was from the Med Groups Christmas event.  I was glad to only have to stand in line for a few minutes to see Santa.  Unfortunately, the line for balloon animals was four times as long! Where was Grandma when we needed her?!?

We only did 2 Christmas markets this season.  The first was the one in Vimbuch, that my Tante Gabi helps out with.  The second was one we'd been trying to go to for the past couple of years--St. Wendel.  They had a live nativity performance with real animals.  The kids thought the camels were pretty cool.

We had quite a number of elves this year, and the kids woke up each morning, so excited to see what mischief they'd been up to during the night.

Violet was the best little cookie helper this year!  I was amazed with her patience and her desire to help!

Isla's cookie...

 I asked my sister, Sydney, to help me with our pregnancy announcement.  It seriously turned out cuter than I could have imagined!!  I'm a little obsessed with this illustration...

 We were excited to be able to do fires again this year.  Last year, we were so worried about Isla touching the hot glass so we never used it.  But she was old enough this year--and she LOVED them!  Everytime Nate would get home from work, she would ask him to make a fire.

Christmas Eve...

We even got some dental visits in before life went back to normal.  Isla's first official visit and she did fabulous!!!  Poor Violet had another cavity filled and oral sedation--never a fun experience for her!