Thursday, December 29, 2011

Christmas Festivities 2011

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we hung around the house most of the day.  Kim and her husband came over to give the kids their gifts.. Hess trucks with a Hess car!  Cora's was extra special...

Dave's body shop painted Cora's truck and car purple!! Her favorite color, they even gave her pinstripes and had her name painted.. she certainly is one lucky girl!  And she now loves playing trucks with her brothers!

We are so lucky to have Kim in our lives!  She takes such good care of our kids while we are at work.. we all love her and her family!

And then we went to church for the Children's service.. this is actually after because as usual we were running out of the house just in the nick of time.. You will note that Cole is not wearing a festive shirt, we did not argue because we did not want a repeat of last year (Cole stripping off his clothes that we picked out for him while in his car seat and screaming about who knows what.  he wouldn't settle down so I sat in the car while the others went into church.. I finally got his clothes back on and convinced him to go into church when out walks Rob and the kids.. service already over.  The crying, screaming and ranting started again only this time yelling that he wanted to go to church.. good times.. NOT!)

Christmas Eve always lends itself to one gift.. Caden knew what it would be.. he's catching on.

Christmas Eve PJ's!!

Cora just loves her nightgown, does any other grown person despise nightgowns?  They ride up/bunch up above your waist.. why bother?!  But she loves them!

The tray is prepared for Santa and his reindeer.. hope he's hungry!

And another tradition.. the reading of "The Night before Christmas"

They almost look like angels.. don't let them fool you!

Set out with pictures Caden colored for Santa and his helpers.

Santa sure did enjoy his treats!! But once again he offered a bit of advice...

Santa got down the chimney!


And the Christmas ornaments were delivered successfully.

 Christmas Morning

The Christmas parade starts down the stairs with excitement!

Stockings are so much fun!!

Cora got lots of pretty hair things now that she is willing to wear them!!

Santa uses these clever labels!!

And the ultimate present from my super fabulous parents-in-law!  the Vita-mix!  Ever since going to a party at one of our friends house that have this I have been a walking, talking info-mercial.. This magic appliance is amazing!  See those carrots in there?? When they are in a smoothie the kids don't care!

                                     Mmmmm!!! Everyone loves them!

And do you see this one?? with Spinach?!!  actually at first try this one was a bit too... spinach-y, but with the addition of more apple, more peach and a banana it was delicious!  and Mr. Cole-bear who lives mostly off of yogurt and bread products drank it up and asked for more!! How can you say no to that?!  Nutritious and delicious!  Not only have we made smoothies, but soup, bread and spaghetti sauce!! Yum!  This guy earned prime counter space!

Christmas Miracle.. the dining room table has been cleared off for dinner!!  we have a serious problem with horizontal surfaces, they like to collect a lot of stuff!

And the day Cora has been talking about for months!!  Her princess bed has arrived!  My canopy bed from when I was a girl is in the house!!  Now I just need to repaint, re-decorate and start/finish her quilt!  But I still need to finish Cole's quilt before that.. his is getting closer to being done.  This winter that will be my goal because I have all the fabric to make Rob and I a new quilt as well!!

My goofs!! These two make me smile even without their silly faces on!

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!

1 comment:

Kelly said...

That is an AWESOME family photo of you five. You need to frame that!!