The Adventures of Zippy and Wink- Week 1

Allow me to introduce our Advent Elves... Zippy and Wink. They are returning for a second year with us. They are our version of the Elf on the Shelf. They give us an idea on how we can show kindness and Christ's love each day during Advent. This year they installed a cute door! I struggled a little this year, worrying that this might detract from the really meaning of Christmas, but I think that it is really adding to it.

 Here is the letter they brought when they arrived Dec. 1st.

Here is the box we decorated to fill with acts of love and kindness...our birthday gift to Jesus. Funny thing about the box. I, of course, was thinking the ribbon/tag was nice. Grady insisted on adding stickers, and even said, "I just want it to look cooler than you do Mom." Ok then. #Jesuslovesstickers It has been fun to ask after Jesus tree what we can add to our box.

 So far this week they had us make cards for friends...which we still need to mail. Whoops.

 They also had us pick up trash at the Zoo. Side note, the OKC Zoo is very well kept!

 They had Grady shop for a gift for Marshall.

And, they had us pull an Angel from the tree at church. They also had us pay for some other people's fines at the library.

I keep it pretty simple, and try to do something that goes with our day. I am going to have to get better at putting them out the night before though!

Happy Advent,

Mama Bear Meg

'Tis the Season

'Tis the Season

We attempted to do a couple of our holiday traditions this weekend. I say attempted because we have a threenager and 10 month old...it's always a crap shoot! As with every Christmas, my internal Advent/Christmas clock is ticking away. I don't want to just check things off a list and go, go, go...but I do want the season to be meaningful and memorable. I love lots of time spent as a family, enjoying the sites and sounds of the season in our own home, as well as a few fun adventures together.

Friday night we wanted to go to an event that sounded really sweet online. Its hard to know when you move to a new area which events are good. It's hit or miss...and this was a miss. But we made the most of it anyways!

Matching jammies...check.

The saving grace of the night is that when we stopped and asked directions for the event we were looking for they sent us to this drive thru light show. Grady enjoyed the lights and Marshall enjoyed driving.

Can you tell my Hubs is not feeling it? Could it be that we were in a "park" that was basically a large median area in a shopping mall? Nah. 

Oh, Oklahoma, you're going to have to do better!

Saturday night was a hit. We put up our tree. Grady really enjoyed looking at the ornaments, and was actually a great help.

 He really liked our peanuts ornament collection.

Marshall loved getting into everything.

 We also learned a little about St. Nicholas and left the boys shoes out.

All in all it was a great weekend. It kinda reminds me of one of my favorite quotes. "The difference between an adventure or an ordeal is your attitude." I have no idea who said it, but I like it, and I try to keep it in mind when things are not going as planned! Which seems to be pretty often for this little bear family!

Mama Bear Meg

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful thanksgiving. Now that we live 2 hours away from my family things...such as holidays and family functions are a little more complicated. There's the packing and schedule coordinating and figuring out what to do with the dogs. This year we added in a sinus infection and colds to the fun, but it was still a great weekend.

We spent some time exploring Papa's woods.

 And Grammy let the littles help her make the pies. 

 This little guy enjoyed his first Thanksgiving!

 Grady ate more salami than turkey.

 One thing that I enjoy about being out of town guests is the extra down time spent with family that would normally been spent at home. Friday brought an ice storm and we spent the day lounging, playing games, drinking coffee and eating pie. A pretty perfect day!

We returned to Oklahoma to the aftermath of a pretty big ice storm, and no power. Luckily, the power returned shortly after we got home.

Welcome Baby Marshall

Welcome to the world Mr. Marshall Cruz!!! We are so thankful for a smooth and safe arrival of our healthy little bear. 

 (It was so smooth your Dad even slept through part of it!!) 

 When we asked Grady what day he thought you would come he said, "2". We thought he was way off, but he was way close. We tried hard to get you here before midnight, but I guess you didn't want to share your day with the groundhogs.

 We had a BIRTH-day party, but you couldn't have the cupcake so Grady ate it for you.

 We love you Marshall and thank the Lord for you! We are so blessed to have you as our baby bear!