Christmas Morning 2013

We had a very exciting Christmas morning between LB and C and 

Walker and Lucy.

I am just going to let the pictures speak for themselves.

He got his iPod!

She got her batman shirt.

These 2 were at it ALL morning long.... See more pictures ...

That would be his new lunchbox and it is just the right size!

Autographed copy of the latest Wimpy Kid book

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Christmas Eve is one of my favorite nights.

The traditions...

The family...

The stockings...

The reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

All of it.

Reading 'Twas the Night Before Christ

Leaving milk and cookies for Santa

SANTA CAME!!!!

I think we will have a great Christmas morning!

Jolly Times with Jolly the Elf

Our Christmas Elf, Jolly, came back this year with a different message for the kids.

He still did some crazy things around the house, but his purpose this year

was to spread a little cheer to others. 

Some days he would leave the kids challenges to spread Christmas cheer to others.

They met his challenges head on and seemed to enjoy it!

The first day he left peppermint seeds for the kids to plant in the oatmeal.  He said they would see the seeds grow as they showed kindness to others.

This day we found him with Damon's wallet. He told the kids to go shop for the patients
at St. Jude.

Another day we found him like this and the kids were to make Christmas cards for those who were
sick, lonely or sad. 

Proof that Jolly still was up to some crazy tricks.
He was ready for us to decorate the Christmas tree! 

The peppermint seeds eventually grew to candy canes and then it was the kids' job to
pass the candy canes out to different people!

On Christmas Eve morning, Jolly and Jingle (Walker and Lucy's Christmas Elf) left the kids a North Pole breakfast.  The kids had a great time!

North Pole Breakfast:

Reindeer pancakes

Snowballs (powered doughnuts)

North Pole blankets (pigs in a blanket)

hot chocolate

milk

Plates, elf containers and napkins bought from Oriental Trading

Mugs and sippy cups from Target

Christmas Dinner and a Movie: Elf

Last year we began the tradition of Christmas Dinner and a Movie Night with the Allen Family.

Our theme last year was How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Right after that, the kids were already asking what we would do next.

Melissa and I decided on Elf.

It was SO much fun!

This time (since Damon was at work and we wanted him home for the dinner) we watched the movie first.  That always happens at the Allen's house.

So the kids got ready to head over there.

Carter felt the need to dress as Buddy the Elf.

While they were watching the movie and snacking on popcorn, I went home and got the dinner and decorations going.

(Go to this website to get the printables I used)

I had the bar set up for the parents.

LB had cut snowflakes out for part of the decorations.

Each table setting was set with a liter Coke, a snack size container of cookies, a stocking with their silverware as well as a quote from the movie.

The middle of the table held the toppings for our "Buddy" spaghetti.
There were Pop-Tarts, chocolate chips, different flavored marshmallows and gumdrops.

The adults were able to enjoy "The World's Best Cup of Coffee" and we had hot chocolate for the kids.

 I wish I had taken a picture of the kids' faces when they came in the house.

They absolutely loved it!

Buddy the Elf Menu:

Buddy the Elf Spaghetti

(spaghetti with candy toppings and REAL maple syrup)

Chicken Spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti

Cookies and Candy

Coke

and NO Buddy the Elf supper is complete without a Coke chugging contest!!!!

We told the kids to enjoy it because it may never happen again!

Don't know what we will do next year but I can't wait!

This is turning into a beautiful tradition!

It's Cookie Swap Time!!!

Every year at the beginning of December, LB and her friends have a cookie swap.

It really has become one of the highlights of the season, and this 

year was no exception.

Our lives at this point had been so crazy (hence the reason it is JUNE and I am blogging about Decemeber!) that I decided we would do a super easy recipe.

Harry Potter Carter even got in on the helping.

This was our recipe - about as simple as it comes!

Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Oreos

1 package of Oreos

white chocolate bark

peppermints, crushed

Melt the chocolate bark.

Dip the Oreos into the bark.

Dip the Oreos into the peppermint.

Let the Oreos sit.

After last year's fiasco, I don't know if I will ever truly "bake" again!

These however were a HIT and this is what ours looked like.

The event always takes place at Gran's house so we headed over there to help her get things ready.

Once the girls and moms and grandmas start arriving, we always have something for them to do.

This year we made gingerbread ornaments that could be attached to the packages of cookies we were going to deliver.

Then, once everyone has arrived, we let the girls make the boxes of cookies we are going to deliver later on in the party.  The girls enjoy going around and selecting just the right treats for our special older friends.

Then, they get to enjoy the cookies!

Once we are done eating, we split into different groups and go visit.

It is so neat to see how they girls want to go and visit the same people each year.

Our older friends look forward to it so much as well.

This year, one set even asked when we were coming so they could be sure to have their house

decorated when we came!!

It is great to see the relationships forming!

LB has been wanting to go into this house for YEARS and finally got the chance!
It was beautiful!

 This group has become such a special group of young ladies.

I love seeing how they have grown and how we have added little sisters to the mix as well.

I am so glad they all have each other and we have them!