Christmas 2011

Christmas Eve 2011

It seems like Christmas comes faster and faster each year, I usually worry I won't have enough time to get it all done but somehow I manage, even if it is the day before when I am 'finished'...maybe there is such a thing as magic?

I was so excited Christmas Eve was on Saturday so we would have all day to enjoy together as a family before we go into the big day. We lazed around in the am, let the kids each open a present before lunch so they would have plenty of day time to enjoy it and we baked Santa's favorite (Jon told the kids these were Santa's favorite) Peanut Butter Temptation Cookies before we headed out for our annual Christmas Eve dinner at Lawry's. After getting the kids to bed Jon and I had a couple hours putting Santa toys out and filling stockings before we went to bed.

Christmas Eve presents:

Paige opened up a Cotton Candy Maker (so easy and fun!)

Aiden a Cars Guess Who Game

Harlow a pink My Own Laptop by Leapfrog

Aiden enjoying some Gingerbread Play-dough on Christmas Eve. Paige helped me make this recipe the day before.

Harlow helping me finish Santa's cookies

The kids insisted that Santa preferred chocolate milk so here it is ready for him

Setting out carrots and hay for the reindeer's...minus a couple that Harlow ate

Mrs. Claus (I think she really should get MORE credit in this whole Christmas story, I mean she does MUCH more than bake cookies...) and Santa finished and ready for bed:

Paige

Aiden

Harlow

Christmas morning I heard the kids wake up at 7am so Jon and I quickly hurried out of bed, Jon grabbed the video camera and I the camera so we could capture the moments forever. They each headed downstairs to check out what Santa brought. They were all so excited about all of their new goodies from Santa. I made us a yummy breakfast casserole for breakfast and then it was time to open the presents under the tree.

Favorite presents 2011:

Paige her purple Fijit named Willa (she asked Santa for this toy), oh gosh I must say it is cute when it does the sprinkler dance

Aiden his marshmallow shooter. Paige and Jon also received one of these so they have had daily marshmallow fights around the house. Our dog Ruby tries to run around and eat the marshmallows on the floor and those she misses I find around the house the following day.

Harlow loves her Baby Alive, she enjoys feeding her new talking doll each day.

Our house still looks like a Christmas mess, we have some cleaning and donating to do before I can get all the new stuff put away. I sure will miss our tree, I love the warmth the little white lights bring into our house.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you all a fabulous New Year! xoxo