Beginning of Christmas...

And I really mean the beginning. It is now December 30 as I write this- and we have only celebrated one of our four Christmases! We will have a very busy weekend as we celebrate with family Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

We began the week before Christmas with a trip to see Aunt Ashlee at Commerce Bank (where she works). Every year we visit her and see Santa.






Now, this picture is totally not representative of Big Boy. He absolutely loves Santa but I think we may have pushed him too fast on this one. I got several pictures like this and they are priceless!



The week before Christmas we also had our playgroup Christmas party. We had a blast this year, it was our best yet! The kids made all sorts of fun crafts, had pizza and desserts, and Santa even stopped by!

(gingerbread houses)


Sissy and Santa


Now this is the child I know. He hounded Santa from the very second he walked in the door. He was the first (and the last!) to get a picture on his lap.




Sis and Daddy making an ornament


Big Boy's creation:








Sissy also got to go with Grandma K to see some of my cousins caroling. They all play instruments so Sis really enjoyed herself and loved all the singing. This is her waiting to go- and wearing her beautiful Christmas dress. (from Leslie and her girls) She absolutely begs to wear it- she feels like such a princess in it!






On Christmas Eve we went to church with my mom and my brother and then back over to my mom's for awhile. We did not exchange gifts since my sister and her husband were out of town but the kids got to open a couple new toys and Sissy got some beautiful new clothes.

The kids leaving cookies and carrots for Santa and the reindeer:


Sis was very into picking out some presents this year. She picked out ornaments for her grandmas:



Santa must have thought they were angels because he left a big heap of toys and stockings filled to the brim! Sissy got the 3 Musketeer Barbie that sings, the 3 Musketeer carriage, several princess dolls and Barbies, some new movies, a Jessie doll that talks from Toy Story, a Tag reader and books, some My Little Pony stuff, and an Alice in Wonderland book. T got a remote control car, a Happy dwarf, a moving dinosaur, a Tag reader and books, a talking Woody doll from Toy Story, some new trains, a monster truck, and a Peter Pan book.


On Christmas morning we had the grandparents and my grandparents over for brunch. L and T loved playing with Uncle CaCa. That afternoon my mom and I took the kids to see Princess and the Frog. LOVED IT! The kids thought it was great. We were experimenting with Big Boy to see if he could sit through the movie and he did great. He was enthralled and sat still and quiet the whole time. He earned his right to see Alvin in the Chipmunks when we go next week!


On Sunday we had our first day where we actually exchanged gifts. We went to the McLain's house. It was a fun day. We exchanged gifts w/ Pat's family and did a DVD exchange where we got awesome movies!





Sissy got her Princess polly pocket castle she wanted:

T got a huge monster Jeep remote controlled vehicle (amongst many other things):

And Sis got new Barbies including a 3 Musketeers one (amongst many other things too!)


On January 1 the madness will start again as we have our get togethers/gift exchanges with my mom and siblings, my mom's extended family, and my dad. :)