Tis the Season

This Christmas Season seemed really short to me, partly because Thanksgiving was the last week this year and then we were in Utah.  Our Elf Eli made an appearance after we arrived home from Utah.  He arrived with a yummy breakfast for the family which is tradition for Eli.  Eli was a little lazy this year and mostly just moved around each night, the kids noticed there were not as many tricks from Eli this year, so I guess next year he will have to step up his game.  

We have an activity countdown calendar and the kids get to pick and activity out each day.  Some days were things like go get hot chocolate or make a craft or watch a Christmas movie.  The kids loved having something special to do each day even if it was a little thing.  

All the kids wrote letters to Santa.

We went sledding with our neighors even though there wasn't much snow.  Any time we got lots of snow the temperature would be around 0 degrees and by the time it was warm enough to be outside most of the snow would be gone.  The kids still had tons of fun.

We spend every Friday at the church for play group, I volunteer at the school in the morning while Austin's mom watches the boys then I pick up all the boys and head to playgroup while Austin's mom goes and volunteers, it works out really nice.  The boys love getting some of the energy out riding bikes and scooters in the gym.  And I love getting to visit with other moms.  

We always have to get a peppermint shake at chick fil a during the holiday season.  

We saw the lights at Jolly Holiday Lights

We went to a hockey game downtown and saw the Iowa Wild play.  They won in a shoot out, it was a really exciting game and the kids are dying to go to another.  

We made Christmas cookies with lots of frosting and sprinkles.  

Greydon at his school winter party.  He loved getting to make gingerbread houses.  

Leila had a fun week at school, she had a bunch of activities and several parties.  One day they got to wear their pajamas, bring blankets and snacks and then they made hot chocolate and got to watch Arthur Christmas.  She told me it was one of the best days at school.  She also had a winter party which I was there helping at but didn't take a single picture.  

We saw Santa and the kids told him their wishes for Christmas and a Santa picture wouldn't be complete without out me in it, our kids are all afraid of him.

That pretty much sums up our Christmas festivities, well at least the things I took pictures of, we did do more thinks but I can't remember everything especially if I don't have a picture to remind me.