Christmas Highlights Week 3

Ice Skating
The school December "field trip" is typically ice skating. I believe last year it was canceled because of weather, but this year they got it scheduled indoors and it was perfect! Skating around the huge Christmas tree at The Galleria is pretty memorable. :)

Lorelei and Savannah

Makin and Charlie

Sleep Out
Another tradition I love but it does seem to get more complicated each year. This time they wanted separate air mattresses, which is no easy feat. ;) Still couldn't resist it though!














Christmas Lights
Took a trip the "The Singing House" again with our hot cocoa and popcorn and were just amazed at all the songs and lights.

Reindeer Games
You know this tradition! Such a fun afternoon! We were missing a few from last year for various reasons but had a great time with the kiddos who made it!

Games all ready in bags, numbered for when they choose one from the tree.

Kian and Christine were my helpers and brought me each bag!

We played 10 games. Here is a glimpse at most of them. :)

Snow Blower

Cookie Shuffle

Stack It

Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Toss

Peppermint Stack

Antler Toss

Candy Cane Pickup

Holiday Pie

A couple of moms (and a hubby too) decided to stay for an after party and have pizza and some wine. (Much earned I must say! ;) )

Christmas Highlights Week 2

The Nutcracker
Last year there was a lot of music playing from The Nutcracker and Makin would hum/whistle it a lot. The kids requested getting to see it because they loved the music so this year we made it happen. Brittany knew a place to get affordable tickets. This was a first for all of us as Brad and I had never been before either. Makin's verdict is that he could leave after the first half next time. Lorelei said she really liked it and would go again. Still glad we all got to at least experience the ballet!

All dolled up.

We didn't have seats with Savannah but saw them for a quick visit after the show.

ICE and Snow Tubing
This was our splurge this year. We loved seeing ICE again (and just watched Rudolph the weekend before this) and the snow tubing was lots of fun again.

I feel the need to remind you this is made of ice people. Ice. ICE.

We decided to take a walk around The Gaylord and take in the lights there at night for the first time since we have always been there during the day. Completely gorgeous.

Fancy/Fun Breakfast
This is also my go-to. I showed the kids a few picture options for their breakfast and they chose the reindeer.

Ornaments
Lessons learned in ornament making this year. 1) Paint markers were such a great invention! 2.) Those tiny balls that look like snow are not easy to get into an ornament and do make a giant mess.














Christmas Games Day

Church Program
Lorelei wanted a speaking part in the church program this year and did a great job memorizing her lines and speaking in front of the crowd. So proud of that girl! (When dress shopping this was the dress she felt most important...rather than what she would wear on actual Christmas. :) )

Lorelei with sweet friend Karsyn

Movies
We watch a Christmas movie each Sunday. I didn't get a pic, but thought it might be fun to note which movies we chose this year. The Grinch (a first for the kids and I have only seen maybe once...we chose the "middle one" with Jim Carey but thinking maybe the classic for next year), Frosty The Snowman/Rudolf The Red-nosed Reindeer, and The Star.

Christmas Highlights Week 1

Ryker, Jaedynn and Kian joined us for the parade.

Light Parade
The temps were good and we decided to give this lighted parade another shot this year. It has gotten much larger and we really enjoyed watching it. It is still a pretty small town parade, but still fun! We really loved the addition of the HS band! We also stayed after for the tree lighting and fireworks! It was such a great way to kick off the holiday season.

Christmas Jammies and Books By The Tree
I didn't realize how important the jammies part of this was until I was at the store with Makin and he told me I couldn't pick out a pair with him there because then it wouldn't be a surprise. Love that they appreciate these little surprises and traditions.

Festive Artwork
Makin did a how-to-draw reindeer and Lorelei chose to make her own version of one of our Christmas books. I was hoping to get a few more done but we had a hard time getting this prioritized.

Lights On The Square
I love the simplicity of this one. It fits easily on a Thursday after DI and its always a fun night. We were thankful the rain (mostly) held out so we could still walk around and enjoy the lights rather than just driving. Its an amazing sight seeing all those lights dancing to music!

Cake Pops Treat
(I mean who can resist those little penguins!?) Gotta say this is kind of a "lazy mom" activity but my kiddos always love a chance for extra sugar!










Festival Of Lights
Illuminate puts on a Festival of Lights each year. Apparently, this is usually outdoors and you can stroll the garden looking at lights...but this year it was pouring rain, as it has been doing a lot of this fall, so it was all indoors. Makin was asked to perform The Little Drummer Boy and Lorelei hula danced to a Hawaiin version of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.