Twas the night before. A white Christmas.

Twas the night before. The cookies and milk were set by the fireplace in hopes that Santa would find them. Pretty papers just waiting for a special gift to adorn.

Santa left a note.

We woke to a white Christmas this year. It was beautiful. Mom was here to share the joy of watching the kids open their presents in the morning. Brandon was so excited to unwrap gifts and Olive couldn’t have been any less interested. Instead she found a coloring book and some crayons and was as happy as could be. Brandon really enjoyed unwrapping Olive’s this year for her though and when she spotted the dolly Santa had brought for her she was anxious for me to get it out of the box it was in and into her hands. After a fun filled Christmas morning I made the dining room as pretty as I could for our Christmas dinner.    Den and I looked up prime rib recipes for our annual prime rib dinner, but in the end we decided to wing it and it was absolutely fabulous. I trend to think we rock, but I’m a little bias.

 We made all the fixin’s to go with it, including a yummy pumpkin bread. It was so wonderful to have Chris and Mark here. It meant alot to us. Family is so very important and it’s great to have them so close now. I love seeing these happy faces as often as possible. After dinner it was off to play with toys for a bit, baths and then bed for the little ones.

They had a very Merry Christmas.

…..

I’m asking for thoughts and prayers for Dad(grampa). His health is declining. It’s hard to focus on the goodness in life when your losing someone so dear that means everything to you and your family.

Ho Ho Ho. He’s jolly. It’s santa Claus.

“Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas” is what we heard as a jolly Santa Claus entered the building. He walked from table to table greeting and talking with all of the children before making his way to his own chair with a cozy lap and an ear to lend, listening to their Christmas lists.

Brandon scanned the room and asked where the chimney was that Santa came down so I explained that he parked his sleigh on the roof and came down into the building using magic of course.

Brandon was up first and as he sat on Santa’s lap and showed him his Christmas list, Santa read the list aloud, one by one, all fourteen. Then Brandon casually mentioned that his sister wanted a doll. Santa assured him Olive would be getting a doll this year. He’s so thoughtful, that Santa,  and our boy too.

(I love how it looks like Mickey Mouse is whispering in his ear)

My favorite part was when they started waving together. It was so sweet.

And then..

It was Olive’s turn too.

Okay so it wasn’t as bad as the Halloween experience but I don’t think she will be greeting Santa Claus with open arms any time soon. Santa loved her and thought she was just the sweetest little girl and so very cute. She only cried for a short moment after this picture was taken. Once she was back in my arms again she was fine and didn’t seem to mind Santa’s presence.

Our niece and her son Gabriel met us there, along with Chris and Mark and we all enjoyed pizza together and watched the kids run back and fourth from our table to Santa and back again all the while collecting candy canes from a nearby bowl.

Gabe was a little hesitant and unsure about Santa at first but before long all of that hesitation faded and he was on his lap ready for his picture.

He’s jolly. He rocks. Our Santa has a tattoo!  Awesome.

It was a magical night for the kids. Just what they needed. It was such a blessing we got to share this time with our family.

Afterwards, we headed home for some coloring before Olive’s bedtime.

Check out all of this new hair Olive is getting.

Then, Brandon and I watched Toy Story 2 before he drifted off to sleep in the chair with Mickey Mouse.

Sounds like a plan. Goodnight.

Here comes Santa Claus. Cloudy with a chance of..

Here’s a very short clip I took of the ‘gingerbread house’ up the road. I meant to take a picture but I accidentally hit the record button instead.

house

Yesterday, I bundled Olive up and we ventured out with her stroller to walk to the bus stop to meet Brandon.

(Olive’s hat- courtesy of Three Kittens Knitting)

It was a chilly day but we enjoyed it.

Rudolph Olive was so happy to see Brandon.

We hurried home for a quick play in the yard before heading inside for dinner.

 

 

With our holiday shopping past us we look ahead to the days before Christmas with anticipated children happily finishing their lists for Santa and us wrapping gifts, preparing meals, etc. Tomorrow evening I’m taking Brandon and Olive to get their pictures taken with Santa Claus. Brandon is excited. I’m just going on instinct here but my guess would be that Olive will not want any part of this, especially if its anything like Halloween was. 🙂 and thats okay too. This mama doesn’t mind being needed. Once they get bigger you feel less and less needed as they become so much more independent. The first year we brought Brandon to see Santa he was terrified, so much so that we didn’t go back until he was comfortable going, which was last year.

…..

Can you believe we have no snow yet? December is coming to an end shortly and right at this very moment it is raining. Cloudy with a chance of rain? Weird, but we will take it. I’m almost certain a few weeks from now we will not be lacking snow. I’m really excited about getting outside to build snowmen with the kids,  taking them sledding and snow shoeing with their cousins and going ice skating together!

…..

Olive, Brandon and Daddy. I love these three more than anything. They are my everything.

(Brandon pointing to the flowers on her seat as Olive says flower over and over again)

……

A few photos from today. Olive looks like a little elf that has lost her way from the North Pole 😉

I love these hats.

Happy Wednesday.