December 1-24

We had a great Christmas this year!  Our first in Texas, all on our own, and I loved it for real!
It was very busy, lots of parties, performances, treats to bake, shopping to do, Christmas lessons to teach to my children, good Christmas movies to watch, and at the end of all that, try to keep on top of my "regular motherly duties"

I love it all, seriously.  And seriously, I am sad to see it go!  We've had a ton of fun, and some really great spiritual lessons occur in our family.  We are so grateful for this wonderful season, and our Savior who is the reason and example for Christmas.

Here are pictures of everything we did
I made TONS of goodies to give a way to friends
I made homemade tootsie rolls and peppermint bark (pictured here)
I also made caramels, soda cracker candy, oreo mint bark, white chocolate/candy cane/oreo popcorn, and brown sugar cookies.

This is the only month I ever get the mail, I love hearing from all my friends and family!  Do you see your card on here??  If not, I better get one next year!

I had fun doing some new things in our house.  This was our advent calendar, I was dead set on making sure my kids knew the exact story of the first Christmas when Jesus was born.  In these bags there is a scripture, a song and a small treat.  The girls  (and Mike & me) really looked forward to this every night, and boy do they know Luke 2!!

This is our 2 foot Christmas tree.  Mike and the girls were super sad when I told them I did not want to put up the full Christmas tree!  I just knew it would be so hard with Ty grabbing and pulling at it all day, and Chase trying to climb up it or under it or whatever came to his crazy 2 year old boy brain.  So we settled for this, and it still looked beautiful with its lights at night.

I made my first Christmas Banner!

 We went to a live Nativity about an hour drive away...and then encountered a series of unfortunate uvents (the main one being the 2 hour wait to get in, and it was like 35 degrees out)  So after a couple of pics - including this one below- we turned around and drove home without getting to see it. Whatever its fine.

Introducing ...

THE FIRST ANNUAL BEALL FAMILY GRAHAMCRACKER HOUSE CONTEST!

Busy working.  Each House had to have a story/theme.  It was really funny to hear their stories about what is on their house.

 Chase's House

 Chloe's House

Riley's House

Ty was quiet for a while...and then we looked down, and look what he got his hands on!

We made snowman crafts with our friends

Mike and I went to an Ugly Sweater Party.  Ours weren't that great, its all we could find!  But we fo sho had a fun time with friends

We went to Church in our Fancy Christmas ensembles,  

And Finally Christmas Eve Came!  They are all ready in their new jammies!

Christmas Performances

The  girls are part of a great singing group.  They have been working since September on these songs, and we were so excited to see them,  They sang Jingle Bell Rock, I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus, Hot Chocolate (from Polar Express), Somewhere in my memory - which was my favorite, it made me cry.  Each girl had a solo, and they sang so beautifully! I LOVED their outfits this season!

Readers Theatre

Riley had a Thanksgiving readers theater in her classroom. It was really cute...and fun to watch her up there a little nervous, and giggling with her friends.

And it was pretty fun to watch Chris Farley back here munching on his Snacks during the whole show.

An update on Ty

Our little Man is doing so well!  I just wanted to update about him a little.  After extensive testing, nothing was ever found "wrong" with him.  So we pressed on, doing our best.  Then in early October, I noticed he hadn't thrown up in a while.  It took me a few days to realize it.  And from then on he just stopped throwing up.  It has been quite a miracle!  He was working with a great Chiropractor, that helped his swallowing and worked on his digestive issues.

We are so Thankful!  He is such a little light in our lives

 

These are pictures are from his worst times. You can see his little ribs poking out in the high chair, and how gaunt he looks while playing in the water.  Through all of it, he always managed a smile!

 

      And here he is now!!! 

I have never been more grateful to call my baby fat! 

Wouldn't you agree that he now resembles this famous fat guy??

 

Our Halloween 2013

Not much to say, except that we had a great Halloween this year!  Here are some fun pics

Mike & I attended a party with some new friends, and it was fun!  Mike thought our costumes were dorky, but he always comes around on the actual day.  His hair and beard were all on his own!

                     Lady Bug Chloe                               Vampire Riley

                                                  Superman Chase

 

 

                                Elvis Presley Ty

                                          



 

Group pictures are always fun to do RIGHT when you get to the party, and no one (including your husband) wants to take a picture.  Even though afterwards they will be all gross and candied up.  I try.  And this picture was not a super success, even though they are ALL in it!

And here are me and my honey passing out candy, in our nerd glasses.

 

Our Family Pictures

Well, with this big move, we needed everyone to get our new address, so we sent out Moving cards, in place of a holiday card this year.  it was so fun!  We took them around our house, and although not everyone was perfectly smiling in every single one, I think they turned out beautiful!  They were taken by my new good friend from church, and my neighborhood, Kristen Duke, http://www.kristendukephotography.com/  she blogs and is super fun and cool too!  Here are a few of the fun ones that we took.
P.S. Kristen did not ask me for that endorsement, I just thought if you read my blog, you might like hers!