December 9, 2012: Getting ready for Christmas...

I still need to blog about Brynnie at 2 years old, but for now I am posting all my pics of our Christmas adventures the past 2 weeks.   We had a park playdate where we made (and ate) gingerbread houses with friends...

We went with Dallie and Mallie to the Polar Express.  Well technically, we ate at Cracker Barrel before our long ride the the North Pole :)

 Our train!  And yes, kids wear their Christmas jammies on this ride :)

 We met Santa and this was our best experience for both so far...

Then we explored the expo area and took some more pictures...

There was a show before the train with carolers that the kids enjoyed...

 The kids loved walking through the fake snow and forest on our way to he train.  Once on board we sang songs and looked out the window for Santa sightings...

 Santa did appear and brought the kids a silver bell...

Bryn enjoyed dancing in the aisles...

We got some hot cocoa after the train...

Overall a very fun night!

 The kids are doing the advent calendar from Nick's childhood...

And from my childhood traditions we celebrate St. Nick's feast day!  Although this year our elves, Wassel and Holly, helped deliver the stockings as well.

Finding our stockings filled with a Christmas DVD, super hero pouches, a purse and a submarine...

We went to our friend Jackson's house to watch a Christmas movie...

 and play outside since it's still 70+ degrees in December!

 Today we went over to Mia and Cate's house for a morning playdate.  What we didn't tell the kids was that there was a special guest coming...

 Yes, we had a personal visit with Santa!!

 He read and told us some Christmas stories...

 Then each kid got to visit with Santa.  Bryn was one of the first kids to run up to him!  She told him she wants a baby doll for Christmas and that she was a good girl...

 Liam was a little more hesitant, but eventually made his way over to tell Santa what was on his Christmas list...

 He told him he wanted cars, tracks, and trains.  When he walked away, I asked him if he told Santa everything he wanted and he jumped up going "Oh I forgot something!"  In true Christmas Story fashion he ran over and blurted out "And I want Hungry Hungry Hippos!"  Santa agreed that was a fun game and Liam was happy he remembered to tell him :)

 It was a great morning and I'm so glad the kids are at an age where they finally enjoy Santa!

 In addition to watching Christmas movies we've pulled out all our books, including one of our favorite Christmas stories...

November 22, 2012: Thanksgiving!

I didn't get a whole lot of photos even though we had almost a whole week of holiday vacation.  Trey is not easing up on me yet, but luckily I had so many helpers around the whole time.  We actually decorated for Christmas the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Grandma flew in town and helped Nick and I get things set up.  Of course the kids decorated their tree too.  Liam has his daddy's childhood sports ornaments and Bryn put up mommy's childhood rocking horse ornaments.  They also have a few from their own collections now...

 Dallie and Mallie brought over MarbleWorks which is something my siblings and I played with all the time 25+ years ago.  (They even kept the rusty, used popcorn tin it's been stored in all these years!) Stood the test of time as Liam and Bryn are obsessed with it!!

 Grandma and kids decorated Christmas cookies...

 well Bryn just ate hers...

 Thanksgiving morning Grandpa, Grandma and Linds were all over to start cooking and watch the Macy's parade.  Here is Bryn doing her high kicks ;)

 Liam was such a big helper that day, setting the table...

 and cooking green bean casserole...

 These are the same kind of plates that my siblings and I have from growing up.  We used them only on holidays.  Now Mallie has purchased them for all the grandkids and the kids were excited to use their special dishes...

 Nick carving his first turkey (that was coincidentally my first turkey to cook!)  Success on both ends :)

 Snuggling up after dinner...

 Bryn has started becoming obsessed with tea parties.  You don't get invited, it's more like a demand :)

 Fighting over the wishbone...

 (I really didn't take many family pics, but here is proof that JE was here too...cheering for the cowboys!)

 He won!  And his wish..."to stay up till 9:00!"  Yes, it came true :)

 One family pic...

 Thanksgiving weekend, Pops and Nana came in town.  We had a great dinner, played some games, and took them to see Christmas lights afterwards, which the kids loved.  Saturday night, it was just our little family of 4, and we went to see the dancing Christmas lights (again) and then had a Christmas movie night with the kids' favorite "Prep and Landing".   I love watching holiday movies with just light from our tree and fireplace :)

We are all thankful for so much this year...our health, baby Trey, family and friends, our beautiful home, great jobs and school, being close to (most) of our family, and all our wonderful adventures and memories.  (And as Bryn said at Thanksgiving dinner, she is thankful for her high chair.  I guess so, since it's the reason she can shovel in a full plate of turkey, mashed potatoes, veggies, jello, dessert, and 3 rolls! :)