Goodbye Sam...

Sam says good-bye in the morning.

For those who have been following Sam's adventures with us, here is what his letter to the girls says:

Today’s my last day,

I must say good-bye,

tonight I must go,

to the North Pole I’ll fly.

Soon Santa will be here

with gifts and good cheer,

and I will be back

the same time next year.

Thank you so much

for letting me be

a part of your

wonderful, loving family!

I've had so much fun

helping decorate the tree,

hanging up your socks,

and joining the nativity.

Santa is expecting me

at the North Pole tonight

so that I can help him get ready

for Christmas Eve night.

You are both sweet girls

and full of good cheer.

Don’t forget,

I’ll see you next year!

Merry Christmas!

Love your elf,

SAM

PS: Santa will lift my magic

for just a minute or three

After you’re done reading this letter

it will be okay to hug me.

When you have finished

with all your goodbyes

put me back where you found me

and I will find my way to the North Pole tonight.

Can’t wait to see you next Christmas!

XOXOXOXO

Home Sweet Home...

There's no place like home for the holidays...no matter how far away you roam...just click your heals three times and repeat after me, there's no place like home.

Away In A Manger...

Our Elf, Sam, wants to remind Bella and Lili Jo, and everyone else, that although Elf on the Shelf, Santa, and presents are fun, they are not what Christmas is really all about. It's all about God's love for us and the amazing gift that was given to us one Christmas morning long ago.

The true meaning of Christmas is love. John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love.

The real Christmas story is the story of God's becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ. Why did God do such a thing? Because He loves us! Why was Christmas necessary? Because we needed a Savior! Why does God love us so much? Because He is love itself (1 John 4:8). Why do we celebrate Christmas each year? Out of gratitude for what God did for us, we remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshiping Him, and being especially conscious of the poor and less fortunate.

The true meaning of Christmas is love. God loved His own and provided a way—the only Way—for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. "But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

So even with all the hustle and bustle, please be sure to keep Christ in Christmas this year and share Him with those you meet, that's a true gift that everyone needs. Merry Christmas everyone!

Underwear...

On the 19th Day of Elf on the Shelf, my true love gave to me, Sam in an underwear tree...

...thankfully they were all clean! Can't wait until morning for the girls to see this one! LOL

 

No Snow?!?

Without snow it's a BLUE Christmas for Sam, so he set up our blue Christmas tree and decorated it just for the girls.

The Stockings Were Hung...

by the chimney with care...or in this case on the staircase with care...

but Sam decided to replace our Christmas Stockings with our actual socks.

O Christmas Tree...

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! Oh ever green unchanging A symbol of good will and love You’ll ever be unchanging.

Bungee Jumping Elf...

Sam found out that tangled Christmas lights are a hazard for bungee jumping elves.

Believe...

Yummmmmmm...

Lili made a "gingerbread" house today at school...Sam just couldn't resist the sweet frosting and yummy candies covering it.

Sam says, "Sorry, Lili!"

Good Girls Do Their Chores...

Sam is even making sure to check and see what chores the girls have and haven't been doing.

Where Could He Be...

You just never know where Sam will be hangin' around at!

Marshmallows Roasting On An Open Fire...

Sam decided to enjoy some elf-sized S'mores tonight. Anyone for some girl scout camp songs? "A boy and a girl in a little canoe with the moon shinin' all around..."

While he was singing, he forgot to pay attention to his marshmallow and it caught fire. Oops!

Mirror, Mirror...

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the rockin'est elf of them all? Of course Sam is pretty sure he is.

Part Time Santa...

Practicing in case Santa is ever sick.

"...and what would you like for Christmas Sock Monkey?"

Takin' The Night Off...

Sam decided that since Bella and Lili Jo were at Grandma and Grandpa's house tonight he'd take advantage of the situation and get some shut-eye. So, he grabbed one of Lili's legwarmers to use as a sleeping bag, some cotton balls for a pillow, and his eye mask and he headed off to dream of a white Christmas. Sweet dreams, Sam!

Teach An Elf To Fish...

Fishing for a good snack to hold him over on his trip to report to Santa with his candy cane and dental floss fishing pole.

You'd Better Watch Out...

You just never know where Sam will be hiding to see if you are being naughty or nice!

Game On...

Sam and Scout playing a few rounds of Phase 10...Love family game night!

Tonight Sam pays tribute to Grandma Robertson who was always up for a game or two (or three or four). Love you Grandma Robertson, you will be missed.

This Is How We ROLL...

TP'ing the Christmas Tree...

that's just how we ROLL around here!

I Feel Pretty...

...oh so pretty!

Elves love things that sparkle!

 

Who Needs Sugar Plums...

...when you have leftover Halloween candy?

Elves LOVE sugar...now where is the syrup?

Meet Sam...our Elf on the Shelf

This little elf arrived at our house today with an Elf on the Shelf book that told us all about him. After much debate, Bella and Lili decided to name him Sam.