Three Christmas Traditions

Every year we as a family do certain things during the Christmas season.  I really want my kiddos to remember having fun family traditions that they will perhaps pass along to their families one day.  So, each Christmas we go to Market Street to take pictures at the Commons area and to see Santa.  I know some of my older kiddos have questions about Santa, but thankfully they keep those opinions quiet!

These are some of my favorite pictures of them that I take all year.  Considering how many I take that is saying something.  I love the festiveness of the pictures!

Another tradition is baking cookies.  I bake most of the cookies, but we always bake the cut-out sugar cookies as a family.  I give over total decorating control and it is interesting to see what happens.  Red hots were popular this year.

Our last must do every year tradition is building gingerbread houses.  I bought the kits at Michaels which might be cheating, but I can't stand the smell of gingerbread.  I added some additional candy choices and the kids were in heaven.  I love seeing them concentrate so hard on the houses and to see what creative choices each one makes.  Everyone does their own except Elena who still asks for the most help.

I think they all did a great job.  Samuel said he wasn't going to eat his because it was too pretty!

Happiness at my house

I am still getting over my marathon debacle.  I have thought about it tons and gained some positive perspective on the experience.  I feel much better about the run....well, some of the run.  I have received amazing feedback from some people whose opinions I truly respect.  It is all coming together in my mind.  And, I feel good.  Nothing hurts, is sore, or aches in the least little bit.  That is a total blessing!  I could do an entire post about those thoughts, but they are boring compared to this.

My sister and her girls were supposed to arrive today.  The massive snowstorm that was to shut down Washington DC resulted in their flight being cancelled.  Holy moly that was an awful moment for all of us.  Thankfully, Scott was able to get Kels and the girls on a flight last night and they arrived a day early....woo hoo!  Talk about the best medicine for a post marathon funk!  It is wonderful to have them here.

Today was a joyous day of playing and playing and playing some more.  Well, I should say the kids played.  Kels and I visited while enjoying the crazy beautiful day!  I did nothing all day and it was a little weird, but so enjoyable.  They are here for 10 days.  It is going to be total bliss!

Hanna, Maya, and Samuel swinging

Hanna waiting for the popcorn

The air was so dry today that the girl's hair was hysterical on the trampoline.

Emma, Hanna, and Maya all dressed up for something

I actually did do one thing today.  I baked these amazing chocolate chip cookies.  I love when new recipes are a success!

Family Christmas Fun Day

Last night began our weekend of crafting and family fun.  We went to our friends house for dinner and Gingerbread House making.  Kim's mom bakes the gingerbread, cuts the pieces, and prepares the candy bags.  I could never do this so I was super thankful we were invited to make real houses.  The kids had a blast.  Elena loved it.  She was very attentive to putting on the candy in just the exact spot.  Samuel was very focused as well.  Jonah was silly and tried to eat more than he attached to the house.  Emma was the most creative.  I worked very hard not to be totally type A and let the four of them do whatever made them happy.

Before

Our final product!

Today we all slept in and enjoyed our warm beds (it was 32 outside).  After a few morning errands, a run, and a birthday party it was time for Family Day.  I decided last week that we needed a low key, fun day just the six of us.  I planned a craft, some baking, pizza and a movie, and looking at Christmas lights.  I just knew it would be the perfect day and it pretty much was perfect.

We started the fun by making this yumminess...

You can find the recipe on this blog...The Finer Things in Life.  My goodness are these good!

Then it was time to get crafty.  I copied a craft idea from Mom Swim Bike Run.  She is super crafty and I am glad I can copy all her ideas.  We made snowflakes for the tree in the play room.  Everyone made two.  Because it was almost 70 degrees today we did this outside.  I am not a fan of glitter, but it makes pretty snowflakes so glitter it was.  It was such a mess and I am really glad we could do this outside.  I think they all are very creative and pretty.

Getting started

Working diligently

Emma was the last one working.  The rest were on the trampoline which you can see in the background.

Our glitter and pom-pom snowflakes

After crafting we baked cut outs sugar cookies.  I rolled the dough and helped the kids cut out the shapes.  Drew was in charge of sprinkles and watching the oven.  Elena got bored pretty quickly and played with Yuengling.  The rest were attentive and maybe a little too helpful at times.  I have lots of cookie cutters so there were many choices.  I also have letter cutters and everyone gets a letter cookie.

Eating their letter cookie

After all the messy madness it was time to relax.  I ordered pizza and we watched a movie.  Because everyone is a little tired (an early bedtime was necessary tonight) we opted for a short flick....Ice Age Christmas.  It was very cute.  Elena was thrilled she was allowed to eat in the family room.  After that it was time for popcorn and looking at lights.  That was fun and we saw some good lights.  Decorated houses are one of my favorite things this time of year.  I may like it more than my little people, but they are coming along....ha!

Getting ready to watch the movie

Me and my babies

Drew and his babies

Our friends house

It was a very fun day....lots of memories made today.  This is the best time of year!

A Wordless (almost) Halloween Pary

Today was the annual Halloween Party at Samuel's school.  I volunteered to help and took Elena with me.  It is always fun to see the cute kids dressed in costume!

Samuel's Pre-K class

very proud of his snake face paint

Here I am running again and loving life!

No party is complete without cookies!

Happy Halloween!