5th Annual Reindeer Shirts

Today we made our 5th annual reindeer shirts.  Hard to believe 

 that we have been doing this for 5 years!  We started this Kelly's first Christmas (2008) and her shirt turned out so cute that I decided to make it a tradition. 

Here is Kelly in her very first shirt!

And Austin joined in on the fun his first Christmas!  Here he is in his first shirt.

I paint their hands and feet so much for different crafts that they know just what to do now. Kelly loves to have her feet painted because it tickles!

 The Polar Express was on so Austin had to have his train hat on.

Austin does very well and sits still for the most part.  He likes doing it just like his big sister.

He has to stick out that tongue to concentrate just like Daddy does.

Kelly picked paint with glitter for her reindeer's antlers, just like a princess.

 Here they are! I think they turned out so cute.  Every year they get better and better!  Over the years I have added thumb print and pinky print holly and berries to Kelly's shirts.  This year we did it as a hair bow.  For an added girly touch Kelly's reindeer has a heart shaped jewel for her nose.

 

I can't wait to see them in their new shirts! 

 (5 years of reindeer shirts!)

Thanksgiving and the start of a new tradition

We had a great Thanksgiving!  We have so much to be thankful for this year.  I love having my in laws over, it's nice to let them relax and play with their grandkids after all the Thanksgivings they cooked for us.  We had tons of food ALL day long.

 

Me and my babies!

  

 

 

Grandma

 

Grandpa

 Before dinner there was a big, loud knock at the door.  We went out to find out what it was and Santa stopped by and left the kids a very special gift!

 They ran inside to open it up and it was their very own Elf!  

We named him Chippey.

We found Kelly talking to him a few times.  She can't wait to see where he ends up tomorrow after his trip to the North Pole!

 

Time to put the turkey in!

 The kids had lots of fun while dinner was cooking.

 

We even watched Arthur Christmas

 

 

 Then it was time to eat! Just look at this beautiful and yummy meal Jacob made!  He always does a great job!!!

 After dinner my mom in law and I cleaned up while everyone else relaxed before dessert...and even the dogs had their own turkey comas ;)

 

One of our yummy desserts! 

 Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Today I decorated the tree with my two little helpers!

It has been so much fun getting ready for the Holidays this year with Austin starting to catch on to everything and Kelly remembering from last year.  To see the twinkle in their eyes really puts the kid magic back into Christmas.

We got a new tree this year and I just love it! 

Our finished product

Our new tree topper I made

 

I love how almost every ornament has a memory or special meaning attached to it and so does Kelly.  This year with every one she put on the tree she would ask excitedly, "Do you remember this one?" and then would ask me to tell her about that ornament.

 

And the finishing touch are the snowflakes that Jacob's Mom gave us that his Grandmother made, that we will one day give to Kelly and Austin to put on their trees.

 

Tomorrow we tackle the outside :)