Fear Not

The kids just received a Natvity set in the mail from the grandparents. Mary Hannah was playing with it as I was cooking dinner tonight. The simplicity of what I heard made me smile.
Mary Hannah provided the voices for the characters

Angel: Mary you're going to have a baby.
Mary: AAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!!
Angel: Don't worry.

What's even funnier is that very concept is what has stuck out most to me this Christmas season. As God plans to do the crazy and impossible, he says "Don't worry, I am with you."
God, who is all knowing, had his angels speak words of affirmation and comfort, knowing Mary would need to hear them ...

"The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke 2:28

Christmas Traditions Start Early

The Hughes Fam has started with the Christmas spirit a bit early this year, and if I'm being totally honest, every year since moving to Texas. Hey, when you live in a retail space like we do, you tend to follow the retail calendar. So that means in a few weeks we'll be decorating for Easter ... I digress.

• Our family decorated the home for Christmas in early November. Mom, Dad, and the kids hung ornaments on the tree.
• We took a family trip to Target to check out more holiday decor for our house, and even had special holiday hot cocoa from Starbucks!
• We made a family holiday calendar to plan out special holiday events. Daddy and Daughter are going to the Nutcracker Ballet. Dad and Avery are going to a Rockets game. Chris and Em are having a special holiday date. We've even penciled in shopping dates!
• Friday nights = Christmas Movie nights. 
• Chris breaks out the guitar and we sing Christmas carols

Some upcoming events as the holiday draws near ...

• We will take the kids to Macy's to mail their letters to Santa.
• We will drive around to check out Christmas lights.
• We also want to teach our kids to think outside the family when it comes to celebrating the holidays, so this year we are planning a visit to a nurisng home.
• Christmas Day is s special and relaxing day for us. We spend it at home, playing with each other and new toys.
• Christmas night is movie night! We bundle up and take the kids to the theater to see a family friendly flick.

Our family loves the holidays, but what we love most is the time we spend with each other. And that is why we intentionally protect family time at the "Most Wonderful (and busy) Time of the Year!"

Avery's First Christmas Program

Thursday night marked a big FIRST for our family! It was our child's first program. And Avery had a speaking part. He quoted Acts 10:38 "God annointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power." Then he and all the other 4 year olds (there were more than 50!) sang a couple songs.
It was simple. It was cute. It made us very proud.

The non-speaking actors made an adorable manger scene.

Avery waiting to say his verse after the letter "X"

He wasn't the least bit shy! He spoke clearly and slowly. My high school public speaking teacher would be proud.

When he was done, he came to the edge for his picture to be taken. That was met with chuckles from the crowd, and Chris and me too.

This is the group of 4 Year Olds. There were a lot of them! Their behavior was great during the show.

Avery was chillin out on the piano during the song. He also decided to check out the crowd instead of keep up with the hand motions.

Of course Mary Hannah wanted in on the action. She asked several times during the show if she, too, could go up on stage. So when the program ended, we allowed her to approach the stage. She took to it like a fish to water.

And this is what happens as a result of practicing at home for the show: Mary Hannah learnas it and needs a turn to perform, too.

Singing along with the program.

Great Exaggerations

Tonight was an exciting night for our kids. Avery and Mary Hannah got to open up some Christmas presents that arrived from Mimi in Tennessee.
Avery was so elated to have finally received this:

He saw the picture on the box and freaked. He called it "Test Track," which is a really fast ride at Epcot. (It all relates back to Disney World for Avery.) When he opened the package he exlcaimed "Alright! I have been waiting for this for 16 years!" What a funny boy!

The Night Before Christmas

Christmas Eve was a busy time, but a special time in our house. Chris led worship for the 3 Christmas Eve services at our church. But in between the last 2 he was able to come home to make some memories. After baths and new Christmas PJs, we read the the story of Jesus' birth in the Bible. Then we put out milk and cookies for Santa... and a carrot for the reindeer. The kids were very excited, and so were we. Its fun to see the magic of Christmas through the children's eyes!
Here is a little video of our Christmas Eve tradition.

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It is important to us to teach our kids about Christ, and to have Christmas as a celebration of his birth. We also love the excitement of Santa! Our kids know that we give gifts on Christmas to celebrate Jesus' birth, just like the wise men brought gifts to Jesus. And they know that Santa is a nice man who lives in the North Pole and loves to give gifts to children. It has been so much fun to experience the magic of the season through our children's eyes!!!

Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

The pictures aren't good, but I couldn't wait to share.
I am in love with our Christmas Tree! We have a new one this year, and it is by far the best one we have had yet! Chris and I decorated it tonight. I just love the way trees look at night all lit up and glowing. The shiny balls are shining and the sparkly balls are sparkling. I love to decorate for Christmas!
What does your tree look like? Post a picture.
Do you like colored or white lights?
Do you have an angel or bow at the top of your tree?
What kind of ornaments hang from the branches?

Really, I want to know!

Family Time

We have enjoyed our family time together at Disney World! Enjoy some pictures =)




Avery and MH have finally gotten over any shyness and now love to say hello to the characters. MH greeted Minnie Mouse with a HUGE bear hug. Avery enjoyed his hug from Mickey.










MH loved the show in front of Cinderella's Castle. She was taking a picture of the show with her new camera. (She hasn't yet figured it out)


Then she cupped her hand around her mouth and shouted a huge "Hi Mickey!"




My mom and dad came with us!




Disney is decorated with the biggest Christmas trees ever! Some of the ornaments are as big as the kids!








Disney fun + Missed nap time = Sleeping on Daddy's shoulder
We know those moments won't last forever, so we cherish them while we can.







Do you like my shirt? My mommy made it!


Avery was dancing up a storm to the music of the Block Party Bash Parade at Hollywood Studios.








I can't believe it! Avery wanted to ride the Tower of Terror! We warned him that it was scary. "I'm fine," he said as he was reassuring us. Surprised that a 3 year old is even tall enough to ride it, we had never considered that he would want to do this! Chris took him on it. I hate the ride myself. He made it through an 80 minute wait, rode it, and didn't even cry! He did not like it, after all.
We were so excited that he tried something new that we rewarded him with a "sucker" (that is Chris' word for lollipop.) So, here he is showing it off. MH got one for being the brave boy's sister.