Ready for Santa!

The cookies (snicker doodle) and milk are out, the fire place grate open and our elf, Zert, is ready to return to the North Pole.  He promised to fix the stockings so Santa can fill them before he leaves.  :-)

Sleep well!

Fun time at the Children's Museum

Today we enjoyed the local children's museum.  It has been fun to watch the kids at the museum as they have grown and their interests have changed.  

 Olivier was excited to ride on the motorcycle again but knew he should wear a helmet.  Will this do mom?

 Mason was too distracted to take a photo!  :-)

 And I was surprised Anna didn't pose!

 After an easy going day, I was thrilled to see all three kids sitting on the couch reading before dinner.  Makes my heart happy!

Early Christmas Celebration!

This year we celebrated with my parents and brother's family today!  It was great to spread out the celebrating a bit.  It is fun to see all the kids and enjoy the holiday!  And it is getting easier to get photos of them!  Here are the girls!  

 And all five of the kiddos!

 A great photo of my parents!

 And all the kiddos just before presents got opened!

 Grandma made wraps for all the girls.  They are very well loved and will be for years to come!

 Anna was excited to get a horse riding outfit for her doll.

And Mason got a scarf from Grandma for him and Baby Mason!

Olivier was enjoying his legos.

And Rhys was surprised by the Hello Kitty school bus!

After dinner, the kids (and adults) enjoyed the chocolate fountain!  Yummy!  

What a wonderful way to start the holidays!  

Gingerbread house!

Each year I have high hopes that we will create an awesome gingerbread house, and I continue to get frustrated trying to get the vision from in my head onto the house.  This year was no exception, and not long after starting, I stopped myself and went my own way.  The kids and I had a much better time and I have new thoughts on how to move forward next year!  The kit had white frosting but it was awful...to say the least.  I still had some black left over from the boy's birthday so we switched to that and boy was it easier!  It looks rather silly but we had fun!  :-)

Christmas Parade!

This morning we took the kids to a local Christmas parade with Grandma and Grandpa.  They were happy to have Eli join us too.  It was a chilly morning (mainly due to the wind) but the kids ran around to keep warm!  :-)  

 Is Santa coming yet?

Mason's award!

Today Mason got an award at school for being a self directed learner!  It was a crazy excited group of kids on a rainy Friday!  We are so proud of all the work he is doing!  Keep it up Mason! 

Family Saturday

Today we surprised Great Grandma with a visit since she is celebrating her birthday next week.  She was very happy to see us.  It was a great visit!  

 After a quick lunch, we then headed to the village to see Santa!  He was out visiting with the shoppers at Farmers Market so we waited for a short while by his special spot.  When the kids saw him approaching I thought they would run over but they didn't.  Instead they were shy and giggly with each other.

 Anna talked to Santa first.

 They matched!

 Then Olivier talked to Santa.  Looks very serious!

 With a sweet hug!

 Mason started with a hug!

 And he had a lot to tell Santa!

 All three kids with the jolly man!

 Then Grandpa and Grandma took a turn.

 And here is a great photo of us with Santa!

I hope we have all been good!