Christmas 2015

We tried to get a picture of the kids putting out their milk and cookies for Santa... that pretty much sums up how pictures go.  Logan absolutely refuses to look at the camera, and then Olivia gives the worst possible fake smile.  Merry Christmas! :)

After the kids were asleep, we got to work!  We actually did try to keep it pretty simple this year.  I've just spent the last 9 months trying to downsize our "stuff".  But to be fair, there are presents from two sets of grandparents under our tree too!

Santa came!

Logan got a new basketball hoop with some extra balls.  (His baby one from last year is getting sold!)

And Olivia got the pink marker she asked Santa for. ;)  Along with some scented markers, pastel markers, a "how to draw" book, and a giant bad of paper.

We were woken up at 7:30 the next morning with exclamations of "Santa came! Santa came!"

We actually had to wake Logan up, because there was no stalling sister.  He walked out, took the ball, and made a basket. :)  I think Santa picked wisely.

Olivia just plopped herself down right in front of the tree and started unwrapping.

Both of the kids got an ornament, as is tradition.  Olivia got an Ariel one and Logan got Ninja Turtles.

A few days before Christmas, Olivia randomly remembered a teddy bear that she use to have that had a red bow around it's neck.  She decided she wanted one from Santa (because hers was long gone). Thankfully, Santa shops at Target and was able to find a last minute stocking stuffer.

At first Logan didn't want to put his milk down. Then he got the M&M candy cane in his stocking and didn't want to put that down.  So unwrapping went kind of slow for him at first....

His own little toddler backpack.  Ninja Turtles, of course!

Kid knives to help mommy in the kitchen!

Logan really liked his Melissa and Dough tool set.  (Yay, Pampers points!)

Actually, ALL of Logan's toys were a hit with both kids!

It took us about an hour to open all of the gifts.

Then we breakfast, and the kids played while Michael assembled all of the things that needed to be assembled!

Olivia loved her pack of "pink"!

I think over the coarse of the morning we tried out every. single. toy. :)

After we played, and then cleaned up a bit, we had lunch and the naps.  It was really nice to have a low key day at home to just enjoy the gifts.

We had our friends over for dinner.  We kept it low key.  I made chili in the crock pot, which I knew my kids wouldn't eat...

She the littles got a Christmas themed dinner of their own.

It was a nice, relaxing, family day.  The kids loved all of their things, and did a great job of sharing.  And Michael and I had a great time watching all of their joy.

Advent 2015 {{days twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, and twenty-four}}

Day twenty one was my birthday.  So after a yummy dinner out, we went to a local neighborhood that goes all out with the lights.  The kids had egg nog and white trash and we drove around looking at all of the fun displays.

On day twenty two we painted our canvas.  Olivia's hands are the tree, Logan's hands are the star and trunk, and both kids did fingerprints for the ornaments.

Day twenty three was a felt tree.  We just used the one from last year and did it on the floor instead of the wall.

Day twenty four (Christmas Eve) we made cookies for Santa.

Logan decorated three.  Cookie number 2 was eaten almost immediately.

Some of our finished product

We went to our church's Christmas Eve service

Then we went out for Mexican food.  

How very Texan of us! ;)

We made our reindeer food earlier in the day while our cookies were cooling (oats and glitter).  So when we got home, while we still had shoes on, we went ahead and spread it out in the yard.

We also threw some carrot out for the reindeer.

Christmas pajamas!

Advent 2015 {{day seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, and twenty}}

Day 17 was one of those days where mommy was just a little tired of advent activities. ;)  I had planned to do a painting, but I just didn't feel like it.  So I pulled out our little elf game that we were gifted last year.  Only it didn't really hold the kid's interest at all.  I was trying to clean the kitchen, and they just weren't into it.   So our activity ended up being another watch a Christmas movie type night.  Olivia had already had a day full of Christmas at school, so I didn't feel too badly about it. :)

Day 18 was make a Christmas treat.  We don't do a ton of baking, because it's just our little family.  But the one thing we do make every year is white trash.  Olivia helped with all of it!

For day 19 we headed to Frisco Square to look at the lights. The whole thing is coordinated to music.  It's really fun to walk around and see.  Plus, they have fake snow every 15 minutes.

They had all sorts of activities... train rides, ice skating, tubing down a (man made) snow hill, and a petting zoo.  We chose to do the petting zoo.

Logan was unsure at first and wanted to be held, but he warmed up over time.

And Olivia got to do a pony ride.  It went a little faster than she was expecting (and all my pictures were blurry).  She started freaking out a little bit and yelling about where to hold on, so one of the workers went in and walked with her.  I was thankful, because I wasn't 100% confident she wouldn't have fallen.  She really enjoyed it, though.

Day 20 (Michael's birthday) was Christmas coloring pages.  I cannot even tell you how many hours this girl spends coloring in a week.  It's shocking!  Instead of printing off a few Christmas coloring pages for her (which she flies through), I just went ahead and bought a whole themed book at the dollar store.  She loved it.  Don't ask about her face... she's a goof and did that on purpose.  I don't know... my kids have zero personality. ;)

Festivities

Our partying started a few weeks ago.  I didn't take a picture, but I had a lovely morning out with all of the MOPS table leaders.  We had a delicious breakfast, played a few games, did lots of talking, and did a favorite things gift exchange.  All while our kids were having fun in the child care at the church. That's a win in my book!

Then last week we had our last MOPS meeting of 2015.  It was our Christmas party, and it was a pajama theme.  Kids and moms alike were to come in their jammies.

Here are some of the ladies from my table.  We had a catered breakfast, a quick devotional, a fun craft, some games, an optional gift and cookie exchange, a photo booth, and good conversation.  I just love MOPS!

I also attended our women's Christmas party for our church.  It was on a Sunday night, which is also when our life group meets.  So since all of the moms from the life group (pictured) were going out, all of the guys met at our usual house and played poker and had our regular babysitters watch the kids.  So fun was had by all!

We also went to Olivia's preschool program.  It was short and sweet.  Unfortunately my regular camera had a dead battery, so most of my pictures were fuzzy.  Michael took some video.  She did much better this year than last year, and was super excited to have us watching her.

She makes it no secret that Boppa is "her favorite member of the family". ;)

She had her Christmas party after the program, but we didn't stay.  They don't really like siblings coming, and as a former teacher I get this 100%.  Plus, it was Logan's lunch and nap time.  But she had a blast.  They also did a book exchange and she got a Mo Willems book that everyone in the family is loving.  (Shockingly, our first Mo Willems book ever!)

Michael's work didn't have an extra party (which I'm a little thankful for).  Instead, they had a catered lunch one day.  So he got to enjoy that.

I babysat for Wil and Alycia so they could go to Wil's work party...

and then she babysat for us, so that we could go out on our joint birthday date.  We had a very yummy dinner, did a little shopping, and then found a cozy spot to have some dessert.  Totally "us"--chocolate cake and milk along with cheesecake and a latte.  We had a great time, and the kids did great for Alycia. Logan didn't even cry!  It's a birthday miracle. ;)

Besides our advent activities, we have a pretty low key week ahead of us.  I, for one, am thankful.

Advent {{days thirteen, fourteen, fifteen and sixteen}}

Day 13 was a mommy/daughter date to Christmas shop.  We got our hair cut, and then hit up Target.  Olivia got a cake pop from Starbucks, which is her favorite.  And if you have a red card, you can get a free drink at the cafe from now until the 24th.  So she got a free smoothie as well! Then it was off to choose a gift for Logan (from her).  We had to pick up a few groceries and supplies for teacher gifts.  Mission accomplished!

Day 14 was a special donut breakfast--a snowman and a reindeer.

Day 15 was making Christmas cards for her teachers to go along with their gift.  She colored them a picture and used stickers to decorate the cards.

For day 16 we headed to the local outdoor mall for a free carriage ride!

I think this will be one of the highlights for Olivia... along with the parade of lights and meeting Santa.