Friday Five: Anticipating Christmas

Christmas is FIVE days away! I am so excited! Anticipating Christmas has been one of my favorite things this year! Annelisa is at such a fun age for the decorations, lights, and her fascination with "baby" only helps as we prepare to celebrate our Savior's birth! 

Five things that I'm loving during this season:

• Jesse Tree: I'm in LOVE with this! Love that Annelisa looks forward to seeing which ornament she gets to touch each night! I love this new tradition helping focus our anticipation on our coming King, Jesus, in the form of a little baby! 
• Lights: I love that Annelisa demands that all of our twinkle lights stay on when we are home! I am loving getting to watch her excitement to turn on the "dights on the tee"! 
• My Family Measurements Ruler: My Christmas present is all finished and hung on the wall...you may have seen it on Facebook or Instagram last night! It's beautiful and my sweet husband made it for me! I can't wait to start marking on it!! :) 
• Baking: I love Christmas baking and can't wait to get started this weekend! 
• The workshop: Where all of Annelisa's new things are being assembled in anticipation of Christmas morning! I'm SO SO SO excited about watching Annelisa's joy this Christmas! 

Merry Christmas!

Our Annual Update on the Reverse:

In 2013…

Christopher became an Associate of the Society of Actuaries! He has been working on this credential for nine years. He has continued running, working out, playing guitar, reading many a good book, and has become Annelisa’s favorite swing!

Allison completed Bible Study Fellowship’s (BSF) study of Genesis in May and accepted a leadership role in her local BSF class as a discussion group leader for the Matthew Study this year.  She began run/walking, continued cooking many a new recipe, became much more involved in their church, and cherishes each day spent at home as Executive Vice President of Domestic Operations and Scheduling at Pailes Pad.

Annelisa has excelled in walking, running, dancing, and climbing. She is learning a new word each day! We also have learned about her egg, peanut, tree nut, and environmental allergies and have adopted an egg-free lifestyle! She loves going “bye bye” to BSF, church activities, play dates, or Target.  We are beyond blessed that God gave us her as our daughter!

Farley continues to protect Pailes Pad from many a rabbit, dog walker, the mail man, or delivery service. He has grown in his love of Annelisa exponentially throughout this year…especially as a food source!

Allison attempts to blog about life at bucketsofinsight.blogspot.com.