Christmas Highlights Week 4

Special Breakfast
I love setting the table the night before this one. :) They took their time decorating their Santa pancakes and of course loved eating them!

Kiss Time
The kids were great helpers with these cookies. :) I ended up spending plenty of extra time baking this year. Lorelei said I had to play Mrs. Claus (while she was a reindeer or dog of course) since Mrs. Claus is always baking. :)

Makin helped unwrap these kisses, caramels, and peppermints (for games) so he said, "I'm like a professional unwrapper!"

Macie, Peyton, Lorelei, Makin and Nayeli

Reindeer Games
We invited several friends from school along with the Armstrongs this year. A few of them got sick at the last minute, but we were glad for the kiddos who made it! It was still on the small side but lots of fun...

Reindeer Ready! :)

A few of the relays...

And who doesn't love the snowman wrap game? :)

Christmas Charades and Gingerbread Man Shuffle

(trying to get the gingerbread man into your mouth using only your face)

Peppermint Stack - First on the table, then on a popsicle stick for an extra challenge.

Amanda got up to 9 stacked on a popsicle stick! I have such talented friends. ;)

Another little note on this one would be Makin's technique. The kids immediately asked if they could lick the peppermints to stack them...I said I didn't know why not. Makin was very concerned because he thinks peppermint is too spicy, so we had him get a wet paper towel so his peppermints would stick together! :)

5th Annual Reindeer Games in the books!

Christmas Lights
I have to laugh at the traditions that pop up occasionally by accident. The kids insisted that we had to take popcorn to go and see Christmas lights. I realize that we have done this several years but didn't realize it was now a REQUIREMENT. :) Somehow they forgot the hot chocolate part we used to add...but I wasn't about to remind them. :) We also delivered coffee cakes to a couple of friends and the kids enjoyed playing Santa and dropping off gifts.

We headed to a singing house this year and really enjoyed just parking and watching for about 30 minutes to the lights choreographed to the music.

Christmas Eve
Because of a few kinks we ended up having our family Christmas games on Christmas Eve. It worked well having something to do to keep us all busy waiting for the afternoon to arrive.








This year Christmas Eve was more teaching the kids about serving. I was in charge of finding hot water, coffee and cookies for our church service we usually have outdoors on the square near a restaurant shopping area. Because of rain, it was moved indoors to an art gallery, but we still ended up having the drinks and treats just outside the studio. Needless to say we were busy picking up all of these items from the various places that donated them, and then setting up the tables and making sure everyone was caffeinated and sugared up before and after the service. While I can't say it was my most memorable Christmas Eve, I know this is just a season and it doesn't hurt the kids to see what goes on to put together a service that many people take for granted showing up for. :)

Had to get a family shot at some point!

Cookies (for Santa), carrots (8 reindeer) and a candy cane (for Rudolph)

Christmas Day
We had a lazy (hmmm sort of...Brad and I sure didn't feel lazy helping the kids with all of their projects...but we were in pajamas so it felt lazyish) morning opening gifts followed by an afternoon at the park and lake. :)

This girl is getting harder and harder to buy for. She is actually really good at being content with what toys she has, but its hard to not get an 8 year old any toys for Christmas! I'm sure its only going to get trickier, but she was very happy with her gifts...and p.s. pottery is messy. ;)

This guy is so grateful when he receives gifts. This year his reactions were typically a big squeal, hugging the item and then coming and hugging us to thank us. Of course, he was really in suspense as to whether Santa would bring him a drone since he wasn't quite old enough...but Santa must have thought he could handle it. The boys sure had a fun time flying it that afternoon, despite the wind.

No Snow? Okay lets play in the sand then. :)

Merry Christmas!!!