Happy Holidays

I'm always reminded this time of year, just how truly blessed we are.

 

And busy!

 

Seems like the holidays started after Jaxon's birthday and just kept going...

 

Here's a recap.

 

The kids had their first 'official holiday school program'. Honestly, I was giddy inside. Probably more excited than they were, but that's why they do these programs, right? For the parents? So we can brag about how cute our kids were?

 

And they were.



 

Jaxon was the perfect reindeer (that's him on the end next to the long line of girlfriends).

Kiley. Well, she'll get it someday. This year she chose to just stare, starstruck at the crowd of people, and shake her jingle bells. She sings in the car or shower instead of on stage. And I think that's just fine considering I faked my way through my sixth grade band concert playing the oboe. I was the only one so I figured nobody would know.

We also ventured to the Holidazzle Parade this year. It was a balmy 38 degrees and rainy- that's weather in Minnesota for ya!

And I even decided to get in touch with my crafty side this year and made our own countdown calendar. Which clearly I need to explain better to the kids- it isn't a mix and match, take whatever treat you want and complain if you don't get it calendar. But I guess we'll tackle that one next year.

Next, I headed up to Fargo with the kids the weekend before Christmas. We had our usual cookie making festivities, some games, lots of time with family, and of course, presents!

The Cook Nook was officially open for business with Zoe as the Head Manager, Jaxon as the Assistant Manager, and Kiley as the Worker Bee (she basically had no say in anything.). Jaxon was only fired once or twice by Zoe, but I think he used his authority to fire Kiley more than a few times.

 

There was no perfect photo. This was about as close as we got for the three of them before Sammy started jumping all over them.  

Jaxon was pretty excited with Uncle Cory's gift- a new acoustic guitar. We fashioned him a pick from the cardboard box and a strap from a bow, and he was set. We've been enjoying rock concerts ever since. Goes well with the new microphone we got him!

 And of course he had to help Kiley with all her gifts (as if she couldn't do it herself).

It seemed like way to quick of a trip, and far too few games of Quirckle were had. But we were anxious to get home to see Scott, who did not make the trek with us. We got home just in time Sunday to meet up with Scott's family at the Peking Garden for dinner, where I was quite thankful they gave us the table at the far back of the restaurant. Our kids were a bit too hyped up for Santa to come and they seemed to be bouncing off the walls! Or under the tables...

 But there were lots of hugs and kisses!

It seemed fitting of a family photo since it was the first time in awhile that all of us were there, including Allen! Welcome to the family Allen.

 The next day, Christmas Eve, after a short and unproductive work day, we took the kids outside to disperse their reindeer food. Instructions were to scatter the glittery mixture into the snow, creating a path so that the reindeer could see it glitter from teh sky and find us.

 Then, we laid out some milk and cookies and pretzel rods for Santa...

 And it must have worked!

Jaxon got the Mario Brothers video game he had been asking for and Kiley got a new baby doll. Of course there were some other surprises in the stockings- new toothbrushes and Gushers... marshmellows for Kiley and some other fun toys, which surprisingly, they have been playing with every day. Guess we were getting kind of boring. Glad we could step it up a notch as I haven't heard much whining since Christmas...

 

And a few days later, on the way to daycare, Jaxon said, 'Mommy, I think we need to find another one of those shooting stars so we can wish on it and wish for Christmas to be everyday.'

 

 I was about to explain to him that the spirit of Christmas can be with you everyday, but he was already on to the next question... maybe I'll tackle that one next year!