Christmas Top Ten

Before we get too far in to January, I'd better get a post up about Christmas! Here are our top ten things loved about Christmas -

10. New pajamas!
9. Getting Mario Party 9 from Santa (Luke)
8.  Eleven days straight of not working! (Katie)
7. Having a co-worker offer to work Christmas Day for Ben.
6. Getting the Barbie Dream House (this is Audrey's. okay and Katie, too).
5. Eating cookies and cinnamon rolls and egg casserole Christmas morning.
4. The adults playing Apples to Apples on Christmas Eve.
3. An impromptu photo shoot with 4 of the kids.
2. Finding out we will have another niece in May!
1. Spending time with family!

(remember, you can click the photos to view larger versions)

Santa Knows

This year only Audrey wanted to talk to Santa; I'm not sure why Luke didn't want to but that's okay, we didn't push him. I think we're going to see if we can email him. :-) Audrey and Santa had a lengthy conversation. I didn't hear any of it because I was hiding behind a Christmas tree to snap a few pictures. In 2009 when we visited Santa they allowed pictures; this year they did not because they want you to pay a ridiculous amount for their photo. Ben gave me the recap when Audrey was finished. She was shy at first so Santa started by asking if she liked Barbies (she nodded her head yes) and then he asked if she had been keeping her room clean. I'm not sure she answered so Santa told her she needs to do a better job and pick up her toys so that Mom & Dad don't have to do it. It was as if Santa has seen into her room! We told her maybe there has been an elf visiting our house and that if there was one in her room she wouldn't even know it because it's so messy!

Then we hurried home to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas. And for fun, let's visit a Christmas past, 2009.

'Tis the Season

It's hard to believe Christmas is one week from tomorrow! We started getting our tree up and decorations out the first day of December, also the same day the kids and I saw The Nutcracker ballet for the 2nd year in a row. They still love it and this year Audrey didn't fall asleep! Last year she was so overwhelmed by the awesome performances that she was worn out about two-thirds of the way through, but she did wake up for the end.

Outside our restored theater.

They each got ornaments; Audrey a ballerina and Luke a nutcracker.

This same weekend I also worked on two projects that I got the inspiration for on Pinterest; a birch tree painting and a pine cone wreath.

Hanging their new ornaments.

Audrey got the star on!

We already had one Christmas with Ben's side of the family and we'll be with my side of the family on Christmas Eve/Day.

And tonight it was cold enough that we wanted the fireplace on so I asked the kids if I could get a picture of them. Luckily they obliged.

(If you want to view a larger version of the pictures, just click on them.)

Start of the Holiday Season

We are pretty excited about the holidays. It's hard not to be when the stores have trees and lights up and even lights are being turned on in the neighborhoods. The kids have started their wish lists, I have actually been shopping for a few months now, and we're having Christmas with Ben's side in a few weeks! And I only have to work two days this week - that's definitely something to be excited about.

Yesterday the kids and I went to The Festival of Trees with Grandma and Grandpa T. We all enjoyed the trees and the gingerbread houses. Audrey, Grandma and I then went to the Teddy Bear Tea for the second year in a row. Audrey loved it. Luke and Grandpa hung out at the festival and Luke was a model train conductor for a while. He said he had a lot of fun.

I really liked this gingerbread house.

Snoopy on his dog house, made out of gingerbread!

Twirling

As we were driving away from Grandma and Grandpa's house Audrey said, "This was an awesome day." Then she fell asleep. :-)

Brief Update

This is going to be quick - just wanted to say that we had a great Christmas. This is my favorite picture from the weekend.

To say the 4 of them had fun is an understatement. We are getting high-speed internet soon, probably next week, so we hope to post much more often!

Talking To Santa