The Jolliff Family

This is what Andrew did today while we were making the gingerbread house. He's so sweet!!

Sam and I made a gingerbread house today. Nathan and Heather gave ths to him for Christmas and we didn't get it done on Christmas day, so we did it today. He had a great time putting the icing on and placing the candy pieces. Plus, he enjoyed taste testing the candy:) The finished product! And the proud artist:) Sam and I enjoyed watching the Hoosiers play and win today. Sam wanted to get his ball out and shoot some hoops! GO IU!!

Andrew turned 5 months old today! He is such a happy, great baby and we are continually amazed at how much love we have for him and how much joy he has brought to our lives! And today, Andrew met Sara and Jason. They were in Illinois for Christmas and headed over for the day to visit. It was so fun to have them here. Sam and Jason pretty well played farm the entire time and Andrew chilled with Sara. It was good except for one awkward moment when Andrew spit up on Jason, but we'll just leave it at that. When we went out to eat, Sam fell in love with Sara and Jason might have some competition!! He (Sam) was putting his head on her lap, letting her rub his hair, putting his head down on her shoulder... so sweet! It was so great to see them and I so appreciate their effort to drive over and for their dear friendship.

We had such a fun time hosting the Purcell Christmas Get-Together in Indianapolis this year. We held it at Northside, which was perfect with the great kitchen and gym. The guys enjoyed games of basketball and the cousins + Uncle Gale enjoyed some old school roller skating! We were happy for those that could make it and missed those who couldn't be there this year! Luke and Sam announcing the basketball game, Luke had all the right words and was hilarious doing that Nobody was injured during the basketball playing, but plenty of soreness the next day:) Uncle Ed still has game. He has been wearing this red sweater for as long as I can remember. He said he received it from my Grandma (his mother) and has worn it each Christmas since (I can't remember what year he said). Still looks like new! Corey loved playing with Sam and Sam loved playing with him too!! The Engaged couple having some friendly competition. Here we are with the roller skates. I think this was everyone wh...

We had such a special Christmas Day this year. Every year is special, but it was fun to have our boys and us celebrating together as a family. On Christmas morning the boys were ready to open presents... well, Sam was ready to open and Andrew was ready to watch! And boy was he ready to open them, from one present to another. He had a blast! His most favorite present was a Mac truck (from Cars) that Andrew bought him. Andrew's favorite toy was a chewy, noisy toy from us!! He liked watching his brother open presents. My favorite present this year... Andrew:) So blessed with my two boys and husband. Hap putting together Sam's awesome barn he received from us. Sam LOVES it and it looks great in our house! He has set up all his cows and his pig in his fencing, it is fun to watch him play and it will grow with him and be a toy he can play for a long time! In the afternoon, my parents and Heather and Nathan came over. We had a great late lunch (with Ben and Amanda!) and sha...

Tonight at the Christmas Eve service, Andrew played Baby Jesus and Sam was Jesus when the Magi came. I was a little worried about how he would do, you just never know, but he LOVED his costume and he couldn't stop looking at himself in the mirror. And he didn't mind the crowd either, we were proud of him! And tonight, the boys after their bath and in their new Christmas jammies!! Merry Christmas to all... and to all a goodnight!

I decided to post some pictures of my Christmas decor for two main reasons. One being that I use this blog as a journal of sorts and at the end of the year plan to make a book of it. So, as the years go by, I can remember what this Christmas looked like in our little house. Secondly, I post some for Carl (Hap's dad) and the rest of you, so that you can experience a little Indy Jolliff Christmas. Carl wanted to come over and see Sam's Christmas tree, but since he had surgery isn't up to traveling to Indy. So, here are some pictures for Carl to enjoy and the rest of my blog readers:) The pictures don't do it justice, because I am really happy with how my decorations turned out this year. Simple, but just enough! Here is our Christmas tree. Alive still, thankfully. However, dropping needles like crazy. I vacuum at least twice a day, I haven't vacuumed that much since I was nesting before Andrew came! Each of our ornaments are special for some reason. They might have b...