Christmas Highlights Week 3

Gingerbread Building
Grandma and Lorelei built a gingerbread Starbucks this year. Lorelei does love a chance to get creative with this, as much as I don't really care for it. She said, "Didn't I make it way more festive than the box?!"













Grandma and Grandpa Fun
We always love a visit from Grandma and Grandpa. Here are some glimpses into their visit. Somehow this visit I got a lot more Grandpa pics...but I guess it will even out over the years!

Bedtime Hugs

Grandpa and Makin got lots of game time together. 

It was one of Makin's favorite things about their visit.

Laser Tag!

Thanks for a great visit Grandma and Grandpa! We loved having you!!!

Movie Nights
We fit in Christmas movie nights each week. This night was Polar Express with some hot chocolate.










Reindeer Games
Our annual reindeer games was a big success this year. We had our biggest group ever, and boy was it an enthusiastic group! I loved the excitement and all the screaming as they cheered on their teams. It was my most organized year and I just felt like the families who came really appreciated it. They all want to make sure we have it again next year. :)

The kids each had a turn choosing a game. Each game was a green plate making up the tree.
Then the supplies for each game were on the tall counter in a Christmas bag.
Lorelei made a cute sign for the chalk board and several friends took pics in front of it. :)

Anticipation.
(If you can't tell, it is raining. Otherwise they would have been out in the yard.)

Jaedynn, Amelia, Savannah, Sophia, Alex, Nayeli
Makin, Charlie, Julia and Lorelei 

I'm just not sure I want to explain each game...so just enjoy the pics! :)

Next year we will probably have a pot-luck lunch but I didn't get it organized this time.
Christine, however, decided to bring a hot chocolate bar. So fun!

Nights Of Lights
In addition to our main street lights, we saw lights two other nights. For one we went to a house that was choreographed to music. For the next we headed to a neighborhood that is known for going all out for Christmas. We have been to this a couple of times, but not last year. Our favorite house is always the one with the penguins. I didn't catch a picture of it but they had one dressed up with swim goggles this year.

Magnolia Market with The Hughes Crew
The last couple of times Mary and I have tried to get together since March the trip has fallen through for various reasons. We were somewhat holding our breath as to whether or not this time would work out. It was hard to schedule something the week right before Christmas, but it was the date that worked the best. It turned out to be perfect to take that step away from Christmas preparations and just enjoy time with these friends we miss seeing each week. We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather in December and were able to spend the entire day outside.

Magnolia Market - coffee and cupcakes followed by the kids running between the lawn,
 the garden and the swing while the moms caught up.

Lunch on the deck followed by a walk to a bridge.

The Sleep Out
The kiddos look forward to this tradition (As do I! It is much easier on me to have something on the schedule that is low prep!) and did enjoy their time out sleeping by the tree. They were looking at an ornament with a village and picking out where all their friends (and teachers) lived. So sweet.