Almost There...

Last week we spent a lot of our time trying to keep ourselves from going stir crazy inside our house with not too much to do and waiting for Santa to visit. So on Wednesday morning we went to the Nature Realm MetroPark to play with our friends Anna, Dominic, Natalie and baby Cara. It was a little cold and snowy outside so we mainly hung out inside. Luckily, there is a lot to do and we were there mostly by ourselves for a couple hours.
The kids were very happy to run around looking at the animals and playing with all the toys.

The group doing a little bird watching.

Pepper playing butterfly dress-up.

Baby Cara getting in on the action.

Digging for bugs in the tree house area.

Morgan wanted to be a bug while looking for birds.

Feeling what it is like to live in a cocoon before becoming said butterflies.

I love that we see a lot of these pretty birds around our house and neighborhood.

Pepper and Natalie doing some coloring.

The snowy, scenic walk to the vans. Thanks for playing with us Pavkovs; it was the perfect way to spend a winter morning.

Christmas is about appreciating nature and each other.

On Thursday morning we enjoyed the special treat of having Daddy at home with us. We spent a lot of the day baking cookies, pizzas and other goodies.

Pepper was happy to be our taste tester.

Christmas is about all things yummy!

That evening Jen, Brent and Ava came over for dinner and to join us on an outing to see Christmas lights. We went to Smith Rd. in Medina to some fairgrounds and had a fabulous time. Despite missing their bedtime the kids did great and all seemed to enjoy looking at the lights. We stopped at Starbucks on the way to get some hot chocolate and Santa was at the end of the fairgrounds handing out lollipops for the kids. Treats for everyone!

Christmas is about spending time with good friends and enjoying the simple things in life.

Christmas Eve morning was spent hanging around the house and continuing the non-stop baking. Pepper has started taking after Morgan's musical and fashion habits. She just loves her big brother and tries to be just like him.

Morgan and yet another make-shift drum set.

Christmas is about wishing and hoping.

Cody took the kids outside to play while I worked on some Christmas preparations.

Pepper actually happy being cold and in the snow. I guess playing with Daddy and Morgan will do that to you.

Oops, happy time over. At least Morgan seems to be enjoying himself.

Pepper helping me in the kitchen.

Morgan and Pepper helped make a card and a plate of cookies to take to their Nursery leader. Julie and all the other nursery workers are just the greatest and do a fantastic job despite the craziness of having over twenty kids.

Christmas is about gratitude and love.

Before heading out for our Christmas Eve party we opened the traditional Christmas Eve present of books and pajamas. Morgan was so excited about his he insisted on wearing them to the party. Oh well, whatever makes him happy. Pepper thought opening a present was so fun she started trying to open the rest of them. Luckily, the promise of seeing Abby and Benny soon got her eager to leave the house.

To kick off the party, Jerry read the Christmas story from Luke while the kids helped put together the Little People Nativity. They have the super big one complete with Wise Men camp, the Inn and when you push down on the Angel music plays and the star lights up. Pepper dressed up for the nativity and helped out, while Morgan kept his distance and played with the piano. Here's a video of the festivities:

The adults having a great time eating and chatting while the kids destroyed their family room upstairs. Thanks to Becky and Jerry for throwing a great party and for being such fantastic friends.

Christmas is about celebrating our Savior's birth.

After we got home, we got right to work being Santa's elves.

This kitchen took forever to put together. Luckily, we did this one Thursday night so all we had to put together was the drum set and call it a night.

I didn't have any pictures of myself practically this whole holiday season so we decided to try and take a "happy us" on Christmas Eve photo. Not as easy as it looks. Especially when it is late and you're slouching on the couch.

We gave it our best try...you should have seen the ones that didn't make the cut. But one thing is for sure, we are happy and grateful to be together this Christmas season. We love our home and our family and the Gospel in our lives!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!