Christmas #2

On the afternoon of 12/21 we went to my parents' house for Christmas with them. It was great that my brother Peter and his girlfriend Meg could come down for the weekend too. It was a nice laid back afternoon.

The kids enjoyed handing out presents to everyone.

The weather was so nice that we got to go outside to try out the kids' new roller skates!

Then we got to eat a yummy turkey dinner.

My dad built a fire pit area in their backyard, complete with logs for sitting on. So after dinner we went outside to roast some marshmallows and eat some s'mores.

 Then a little more relaxing inside, and then it was time to go!

Christmas #1

The Christmas season was sort of busy this year. We decided that this would be the year we traveled to Jason's family in Michigan for the holidays. So we had our own family Christmas at home on the morning of 12/21. We still wanted the kids to know that Santa came to our house first.

On our "Christmas Eve" we went outside to sprinkle reindeer dust...or was it reindeer food? I can't remember. It was some kind of sparkly oatmeal concoction they brought home from school.

 Then we did a plate of milk and cookies. The kids had written notes to Santa at school. I couldn't find the third one for this picture but of course found it days later.

 

Then once the kids were finally asleep we brought the presents upstairs.

 Mojo found his catnip-filled present.

Of course Zoey woke up first on Christmas morning, so we let her open her stocking. 

Had to keep her busy somehow.

 

 

Then finally the other two got up and we got to open the stocking and more presents.

Showing the presents to his giraffe.

Yes Santa brought them masking tape. They love it.

And Mojo finally got to open his catnip toys.

Elves

The kids make the cutest projects at preschool. Here are their almost life size elves!

Meeting Santa

Last night we went to a local tree lighting at a fancy inn. We got to have cookies and hot chocolate, sing carols, and meet Santa!

It was so much fun watching the kids wait for Santa and sing Christmas carols - another one of those long-awaited parent moments.

Here comes Santa Claus!

This was the first year the kids were excited to see Santa, and weren't scared of him. They waited in line fairly patiently, and then were a little shy when it came time to actually go talk to him.

They whispered what they wanted: Abby = jaguar (from Dora the Explorer, not a car); Zoey = princess/mermaid; Lucas = not sure.

Jason snuck this picture while the professional was taking his - the pro one turned out pretty funny.

Another holiday tradition checked off the list!

Christmas Tree Farm

This year we chose a different Christmas tree farm to get our tree - it was a little closer to us, and it had "baa baas".

First, we saw cows. The kids stood there and "moo"ed at them for several minutes.

Then it was time to feed and pet the baa baas.

Finally we got to walk around and look for a tree. Zoey tried to find the biggest one.

But Jason redirected them.

He had some helpers to saw it down.

And then it was time for hot chocolate and candy canes!

We went out to lunch afterwards (note the tutu over jeans, and the jammie shirt with pants)

Once we got it home and set up, Uncle Peter came over to help decorate the tree (note the tutu over jammie pants).

It was a fun day - one of our favorite ways to start the Christmas season!