Raising Roberts

Christmas cookies

Yesterday was the annual cookie making day at the Roberts household (I think we need some cool name for this!) This year I was smart enough to wait for a time that Don could help. I was also smart enough to have Don pick up some store bought cookie dough. Not enough time for homemade this year. And it made things so much easier!

I’ve been working on getting some video clips of this Christmas season that I hope to put together next week. So for the cookies, I mostly got video clips but I did take a few photos to share.

And, of course, elf jammies were required. Because we only have a few more days of acceptable use before they’ll be “out of season.” (not that we’ll stop rocking them anyway!) And they make pictures and videos look so much more festive!

After our cookie decorating, we celebrated with our friend, Merri, for her 18th birthday. At the end of the night, the boys were saying “this day was so much fun! I wish every day could be like today!” And I have to say, I agree.

Today the kids and I had the opportunity to go spend a few hours at the Covering House. The girls had been asking to have the kids over for a play date. And since they are doing their 12 days of Christmas celebration, I talked to the girls about bravery again. You may remember my post about it last year. As I shared on instagram, I had some worries about how I was going to explain things to my kids if they had questions. (why are the girls living in this house and not with their families?) But when we got there, all they cared about was that the girls are sweet and fun and love to play–and it didn’t hurt that they had a lot of fun toys and games that we don’t have. So we had a great time! And just like last year, I would like to encourage you to find a way to get involved–donations are always a great way to help!

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

December 22, 2015

Blog, christmas, Family

decorating the Christmas tree

I don’t think we’ve had a (big) Christmas tree since Liam was a toddler. I got rid of it years ago and didn’t really decorate for Christmas for many years. My heart was set on a beautiful white tree and I knew that one day, when we owned our first house, I would get the tree that I had been waiting for. This year, my tree dreams came true! I ordered a white tree from Target during Thanksgiving week while it was half price and it arrived on December 1st.

So we spent the first day of December with our Pandora station playing Christmas music while we wore our matching elf jammies and decorated the tree.

Did I say “we?” Yes! All 7 of us having matching pj’s this year and it was pretty much the best decision I have ever made. Matching pj’s for Christmas has also always been a dream of mine but I didn’t like the giant price tag that came with them. This year I ended up finding all of them for 40% off on Black Friday and bought them in sizes that they can wear this year and next–unless one of my kids miraculously has a growth spurt. And if you know my kids, you know that’s not likely.

I had a few people ask me how I got my husband to wear the jammies. My answer? Because I have a good husband, that’s how. He knew that it meant a lot to me and he didn’t complain a single bit. And he actually finds them quite comfortable so it’s a win/win.

This elf baby melts my heart!!

I’m keeping the mantel simple this year–I even had to borrow the greenery. But I’m hoping to find some pretty things after Christmas and at garage sales and thrift stores next year.

I ordered some more headbands from my friend, Rose and she threw in this adorable Christmas headband for Evangeline. We love our topknot headbands from her!

A couple of the runners-up for our Christmas card. A tripod and 10 second timer are my BFF’s. Look at how everyone is smiling! I loved this picture but thought it looked like my foot was broken haha.

And this one makes me laugh every time I look at it. Kai, the black sheep of the family.

Christmas lights are magical. The perfect glow that they cast make me so happy.

And I’ll end with this amazing picture of the kids with Santa. You know, where you can barely see 2 of my kids. And Santa and Mrs. Claus are hiding back there somewhere.

So even though I despise the cold…the Christmas lights twinkling at night, the cozy fires in the fireplace at the simple turn of a knob, and the cutest family of elves are making these cold, dark nights not so bad.

December 6, 2015