12.23.2010

Counting Down to Christmas Day 22





A drive to look at Christmas lights in the neighborhood. Our street was selected as the best lit street in the development! So Merry Christmas... Everyone!
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Counting Down to Christmas Day 21

Today we delivered presents and cards to most of our neighbors, we will be finishing until Christmas.
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12.20.2010

Counting Down to Christmas Day 20


Today we called my sister in Arizona so that Elliette and Ian could talk to their cousins. Next time we will try skype, but the girls had fun singing songs to each other! Ian is in fewer pictures than Ellie because he is always getting cranky and tired around the time we do advent calendar, but if we want to wait for Dad that is when we have to do it! So anyway, forgive the fact that he is in a diaper okay!?!

Counting Down to Christmas Day 19






We had our annual holiday get-together with my mom's side of the family today... and we put up our second nativity. Here are some photos from the days' events!

Counting Down to Christmas Day 18

What a fun day we had today? My friend Carrie organized a Christmas Program for her Ward and we went to see it and eat breakfast. They did The Grinch Who Stole Christmas! Ellie asks me "Mommy, what's a Grinch?" I tell her about it and she says... "Yeah, but that is really just a nice man who loves Christmas dressed up like a Grinch right mom?" Too funny! I wish I had taken a picture of the kids' hair for this event. I may have to recreate it just to give you all an idea.

Counting Down to Christmas Day 17

Tonight was the big recital for Elliette's Dance class. Our friends Kim and Greg came over for dinner. Their daughter is in the same class. We got the girls ready in full costume, hair, and make-up. Can you spot elliette in this crowd? It's like Where is Waldo?

Counting Down to Christmas Day 16

Tonight was the Annual Lakeview Christmas Party. Our Advent calendar had us wrapping up gifts for the kids teachers. What did we get them? Cookies of course!

Counting Down to Christmas Day 15

Today was a working day for me...
After work we had a cookie exchange I brought 11 dozen peanut butter blossoms. I actually had so much fun making cookies this year! We also had dress rehearsal for the big production this Friday (Ellie dance) so today was yet another day with no pictures! Sorry

Counting down to Christmas Day 14

Today Elliette had a performance with her montessori school. The kids were so cute they did a great job, however we did not capture any pictures. Our advent calendar had us fill our penguin cookie jar with cookies. Thanks to my MOPS secret sister I had candy cane joe joe's to put inside (candy cane oreos) there are delicious!

12.13.2010

Counting Down To Christmas Day 13

Today we were supposed to bake and decorate cookies, but Ellie and I baked 10 dozen peanut butter blossoms yesterday and I didn't feel much up to more baking. So we decorated this gingerbread house instead. 

 Yummy. This house comes pre-assembled. Last year we got one that you had to put together and it was a nightmare! This was very easy and fun. I had to let go of wanting it to be perfect. Ellie must have asked to eat the candy a dozen times. I tried to explain why we should'nt eat the candy, but she just didn't care. I reflected and decided that I wanted her to remember gingerbread house decorating as fun and not so rigid. Go ahead and eat the candy, it tastes disgusting anyhow! She was pleased.

 So sweet!

Counting Down to Christmas Day 12

 Ian with his buddy baby Jesus!

 Helping Mommy
 Where are you taking that baby?
Uh oh! Where is baby Jesus?

Before bed we put out the Nativity scene and talked about the birth of baby Jesus. Ian was so fascinated with the little baby. I moved the Natvity to higher ground after baby Jesus was abducted from his manager by giant baby Ian! Had to laugh as I told Ian to, "stop chewing on Jesus' head!"

Counting Down to Christmas Day 11

Today we went to an Annual Christmas party it was so much fun as usual. I loved watching the boys running around with their toy swords, it was like a scene out of a holiday book or movie. Unfortunately, I forgot to get a picture... (sad)! We left earlier than usual because my former stepmom Lori and my brother Tommy delivered a bed for us that we found on Craigslist. Two years ago Ellie got her Auntie Rachel's old bed and it has worked fine for her, but it recently broke so when I saw this bed for such a great deal I had to get it!!! I think you will agree that it looks perfect in her room!




Counting Down to Christmas Day 10


Today we hung the stocking and decorated the mantle. Then we read The Little Match Girl, one of our many Christmas stories.

Counting Down To Christmas Day 9

Today we got out the Christmas Card Keeper. This is a place to keep the cards that we recieve. The plan is to pull out a card and say a prayer for the family that sent it to us during meal time. So far we don't have too many cards though, so it will probably be more of a new years thing! Sorry no picture :)

12.08.2010

12.07.2010

Counting Down to Christmas Day 7

So we did go and get a Santa photo and I full intend to post it, however, I left it with Ellie's occupational therapist on accident... SO! You'll just have to wait :)

In the meantime, here are the photos from today. Our assignment was to cuddle up with our christmas blankies and watch a holiday movie. We are watching the 2009 animated version of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (sp)!



12.06.2010

Counting Down to Christmas Day 6


Today's mission: get a photo with Santa. We did this Saturday morning as a family so if I can't do it today, I might not do it... our neighborhood is so awesome, every year they have a Santa at the Community Center! This year the whole family got in on the picture... I think this is one of those pictures that will make me cry someday!

Counting Down to Christmas Day 5

Okay so today is really day 6 but how long did you think I could do this perfectly!!! :)




Here is our tree all ready to decorate. We were supposed to do it yesterday, but we didn't find time after fluffing all those branches. So I let the kids decorate this morning and we will finish (read fix) the tree tonight as a family when Brian gets home from work! I got the kids some new ornaments this year at Kohl's they are light up snowmen/Snowglobes. Ellie wants to put hers in her room as a night light, which should be fun. The glitter makes fun whirling shadows on the ceiling. Glitter and multicolored lights are SO my thing, so I totally dig these ornaments!

Counting Down to Christmas Day 4








Today we were supposed to go and get a tree and so we set out in our boots to find the perfect tree. Alas, we were not very happy with the choices. Every year we talk about the pros and cons of getting an artificial tree and this year the pro seemed to outweigh the cons and so we went for it. We found this 9ft tall beauty at Lowes. I made Brian take a picture of us with our new tree, because every tree deserves a story.  Let me tell you artificial trees are NOT easier than the real thing to set up, it took us forever to fluff the branches and string the lights. Ellie has named our new tree Spike, and after all the holes in my arm from putting the lights on, I think it is a MOST appropriate name.  For the sake of memories I am including a collage of all the years we have gone and purchase the real deal. From before kids to now! Enjoy

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