Ember's Butterfly Toddler Bed

For Christmas, mommy and daddy got Ember her very own toddler bed! And Grandma and Grandpa Flin got her her new butterfly bedding set! She LOVES both and the transition has been extremely easy! The worst thing that has happened is that "tickle" (as Ember calls it)/Silky bear (Ember's comfort toy) fell out and under the bed and Ember couldn't find him and needed some help one early morning. Not too bad at all. Our little baby girl is sure growing up too quickly!!

Daddy putting the bed together

Ember excited!!

The completed product!

Ember after her first successful night in her bed.

Dustin and I were watching her sleep during her nap one day and I just had to get a picture!

Christmas Day!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE EVANS!!

We started the morning off by reading the Christmas story from Ember's Jesus Storybook Bible.

Then we opened the presents under the tree.

Maci was so excited that she had wrapping paper stuck in her hair.

Next, we had some homemade cinnamon rolls with some champagne and orange juice that our neighbors graciously shared with us! 

We opened our stockings.

Then some fresh snow stated to fall!

Then we headed over to Mima and Pappy's house for the rest of the day!

We watched a Christmas movie while Ember napped before Dustin's brothers arrived.

Once everyone was there, we ate appetizers and then got to the gift opening!

Ember opening one of her gifts with her feet like a monkey :)

Brothers toasting!

Then we ate a delicious prime rib dinner complete with twice baked potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and broccoli casserole!

It was a very blessed Christmas season with lots of family and friends that we love so dearly!!

Advent Fun

We are working as a family to come up with our holiday traditions. This year we started working on putting together an advent for the season. We wanted to do some of the typical fun holiday things but then also focus on the real reason of the season as well. We didn't do all of the things that we wanted to this year (partly because we didn't have an official advent to keep us accountable and also because we were just so busy already) but here are some snapshots of some of the things we did! Also, there are a few activities that I did with Ember since we were taking a break from tot school for this month.

Reading "Elf on the Shelf" and hiding Elfie every day for Ember to find

I wrapped 25 Christmas children's books and we opened and read one every day

Aunt Ally sent us this adorable felt Christmas tree that we had lots of fun decorating and undecorating

Snowman pancake breakfast (paleo style!)

We cut out snowflakes (with the help of some You Tube videos)

Our local Aquaplex put on a free event with holiday crafts, pictures with Santa, free cookies and hot chocolate, and more. Ember was being shy with most things but she did get her face painted for the first time!

We did a puzzle as a family - Ember insisted on "handing" each puzzle piece to Dustin with her feet... haha!

Annual light parade downtown!

Sensory bin with packing peanuts, cotton balls, and blue glittery pom pom balls

Luminaries!

Holiday pizza night!

Decorating sugar cookies with friends

Used Q-tips to put ornaments with paint on a Christmas tree

We went to two holiday themed music classes - Ember and Addi had so much fun

Rudolf craft

Gingerbread House!

And Christmas Eve Service

We also read the Christmas story, did a few Random acts of kindness, and we watched "Elf". It was so much fun and I hope we can make it a little more official next year!