Christmas Lights Express

 Tonight we surprised the kids and took them to look at Christmas lights.  I got their pajamas and slippers ready and made them each a ticket for their trip.

They were so excited to go and got ready super fast.

The trip would not be complete without hot cocoa!

Here are some of their favorites

Time to go home and have sweet dreams!

Pre-K Christmas party

Today was Kelly's party at school.  She was so excited she got up and got ready to go this morning before Jacob and I even woke up!  She had her outfit picked out for a week and asked for me to curl her hair so she could look like a "Christmas Princess"! I even painted her nails red ;) 

 Austin was also very excited that he was going to go to the party too.  Kelly asked that he wear his shirt like her so they could match. 

The kids watched The Grinch while the party was set up.  Not sure how much of it was watched because the kids were too busy watching what we were doing.  Austin and his hair was a big hit with Kelly's classmates.  Everyone gathered around him and had to touch his hair. We got to see just how protective she is over her little brother.  He got overwhelmed by all the kids a few times and escaped to Daddy's shoulders. 

It was neat to see Kelly interact with all her friends and to finally put faces to the names we hear all the time.

 

After the kids ate all their goodies they sat on the carpet for a book exchange.  Everyone was asked to bring in a wrapped book to give to another child. 

Ms. Powell put the books in the middle and they went around the circle and got to choose which one they wanted. It was funny to watch some of the kids pick out their gift, it was a hard decision for some.

  

 

 

After the party we got to take Kelly home early.  I'm so ready to have my girl home with me and have fun with both my babies for two weeks.

 

I love my boys!

Gifts from Kelly

Today at school Kelly's class got to go to Santa's workshop and pick out their own gifts to give to their family.  Kelly was so excited when we picked her up that she could not wait to give them to us, so we had to open them on the way home.  

Jacob got a Dad ornament

Austin got a car

and I got a Mom necklace

 She was so proud that she picked them out all by herself and these gifts will always be so special to us!

Happy 8 year anniversary!

Hard to believe that we have been married for 8 years.  It has gone by so fast and at the same time feels like forever!  They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are some pictures that sum up the last 8 years. 

 

 

 

 

Chippey the Elf: Part 1

Our family has had so much fun with Chippey since Santa dropped him off on Thanksgiving.  He has already been all over the house and the kids can't wait to see where he will end up next.  

Day 1: After his first trip back to the North Pole he had a breakfast planned for the kids.

He even left me a special recipe to make Christmas pancakes!

Day 2:

Day 3: The night before Kelly was up very late, so poor Chippey must have had a very long night!

Day 4: He packed Kelly's lunch for her first day back to school

Day 5:

Day 6:

Day 7:

Day 8: Chippey brought green snow milk in new cups from 

Mrs. Claus 

Day 9: He must have known we had tickets to see Beauty and the Beast that day

Day 10: Helping countdown to Christmas

Day 11: Took the kids' wish lists to Santa 

Day 12:

Day 13: Extreme elf sports - Candy Cane Climb 

Day 14:

Day 15: hot air balloon ride