Twas the night before Christmas...

and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care , In hope that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

May you have a magical night remembering that the greatest gift of all was given to us in a stable.
Merry Christmas!

Cookies for Santa

Stuck inside with a windchill of -10

Chef Ethan cracking his egg

Are we making chicken or cookies...you decide

Tasting the batter to make sure it's not chicken

Time to make the cookies

My mix master

Putting on the final touches

Just a few more sprinkles

Mia was our "quality control" department...had to make sure everything tasted OK

Sunday it was bitterly cold here so I decided it would be a good day to make our cookies for Santa. Ethan said that he must have the right "outfit" on. He went downstairs and came up wearing his chef "outfit". Chef Ethan helped me make the cookies. He was in charge of cracking the egg and running the mixer. At one point in time Ethan didn't think we were making cookies at all....he said our dough looked like chicken???!! Mia stepped in and helped put the sprinkles on. They fought over who was going to lick the bowl. Santa is in for a surprise when he stops at our house because our cookies have more sprinkles than dough in them:) Not your weight watcher's variety!

Great Wolf Lodge

Traverse City

The indoor water park

Fun fun everywhere!

Our little fish

Mia's favorite thing

Whee!

Pool time fun

This is what the outside looked like from the water park. (It was 84 degrees inside:)

Lights & decorations everywhere

A beautiful winter wonderland

More Christmas decorations

Peek a boo....I see you

Ethan working on his degree from the North Pole University

Ethan giving bear hugs

Steve & his princess

Mailing letters to Santa

It's snowing inside

The Arctic clipper that came through the lodge three times a day

Our little elf

Trying to catch "snowflakes" on her tongue

Waiting for the snow to fall

Our snow princess

Let it snow!

How did they get that snow in here?

Can you say EXHAUSTED?

After story time Ethan & Mia thought they would sleep here

Family Fun!

Ethan's bedtime snack- chocolate covered marshmallows on a stick (with sprinkles of course!)

We were on vacation Dec 7-13 and wanted to get away. Most people go south to sunny weather but we headed to Traverse City, Michigan and the snow to stay at Great Wolf Lodge. We had never been there before and didn't know what to expect. When you entered the lobby it felt as if you were in a winter wonderland with Christmas decorations everywhere.

We decided to go to Great Wolf Lodge because of the indoor water park and were surprised by all the other activities they offer. In the evenings at 8 & 9 they have story time. We would get into our jammies (well everyone except Steve) and head down to the lobby. There would be a show and then a staff member would read a book. We would sing Christmas songs and then it would "snow" inside the lobby. (The snow was actually bubbles). During the day they offered many activities that revolved around Christmas & the North Pole. Ethan & Mia graduated from the North Pole University and became honorary elves. They even have an interactive scavenger hunt throughout the lodge. While we were there they did get about 14 inches of snow. We didn't mind because we were inside having a blast. While we never had been there before we already are looking forward to going back!

Ethan Calls Santa

Yesterday we had a very interesting thing happen at our house. Amy was out and about when she got a phone call from work that she needed to come in. She tried to call home but it was busy. She finshed her shopping and tried to call home...again it was busy. When she came in the house she saw there was a message on the answering machine. She listened to it and realized she had to call her boss. Amy picked up the phone to call but there was no dial tone. Not questioning anything yet she made sure the downstairs phones were on the chargers and plugged in. The phone still had no dial tone. But what Amy heard was a little voice on the other end. The voice called out, "Santa...is that you?". Puzzled Amy said hello. The little voice called out again.."Mama what are you doing on the phone?". Upon further investigation it seems as if Ethan snuck out of bed during nap time and got a hold of the phone in our room and was trying to call Santa. He was hidden under our covers. We are not sure if he actually called anyone (I guess the phone bill will answer that). Ethan said he forgot to ask Santa for something.... a boat that can't float (from the land of misfit toys). It was so adorable! Kids do say the darnedest things:)

Christmas Greetings

Happy Holidays and may God bless you in the new year!

ABC

Mia has recently started singing. She tries so hard to sing her ABC's and Jesus Loves Me. Somehow she always forgets a few words and ends up making up songs. She is quite the performer!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

The Lights Before Christmas

Scott & Sarah look at the lights through their 3D glasses

Bundling Mia's hands up

Pa & his kiddo

Mia thought she would get out and walk. She got two steps before she decided she had had enough and ended up on Daddy's shoulders.

Lights, lights, everywhere

Yeah! We get to ride the merry go round!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we went to the Lights before Christmas at the zoo with Amy's family. It was COLD, COLD, COLD. We all were bundled up so all was well. Miss Mia however was afraid to put her mittens on because she thought her hand would disappear. Every time we would put a mitten on she would ask where her hand went then take it off. We finally gave up and wrapped her hands in blankets. The lights were beautiful and it helped get us all in the Christmas mood. Before we left Sarah & Scott took Ethan & Mia for a ride on the merry go round. We all had a great time but were glad to get home & have some hot chocolate!

Thanksgiving

Our little turkey

Swinging with Auntie Sarah

Gobble gobble

Spinning on the swing getting dizzy

The table set ready to eat our Thanksgiving dinner

Ethan modeling his turkey hat he made at preschool

Yum pumpkin pie

Forget silverware....let me just dig in

Mollie skipped the pie and went straight for the ready whip

Mac playing with his Lego's

Mia in food coma

Gram

What a motley crew. Don't you just love Ethan's scrunched nose and Mia's face

They only picture that everyone was looking at the camera. Ethan, Mollie, Mac, Mia & Tommy Joe

Tommy Joe really liked Mia's turkey bow

Gram & all of her great grand kids

Gram & her girls

Gram & daughter - in - laws

Gram & Her sons

We hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Unfortunately Steve had to work until 5:oopm:( We got up and all had breakfast together before he had to leave. Amy, Ethan & Mia found their spots to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It is a family tradition (at least for Amy...in Canada they don't have thanksgiving day parades) and Ethan & Mia love watching the marching bands. Ethan had his cymbals out banging away. Mia's instrument of choice was the maracas. After the parade we went to Amy's parents house for Thanksgiving dinner. Ethan & Mia had a ball playing with Uncle Scott & Auntie Sarah before dinner. We had a wonderful dinner complete with all the fixings. After pumpkin pie all of the cousins decided they were going to put on a "Dancing with the Stars" show for us. Mollie had Mia's blanket and was using it as a cape doing the pasa doble. After the show we tried to get some family pictures before everyone headed home. It was a wonderful day to reflect on what we are really thankful for. We realize how blessed we are to have our children home with us. Our God is so good and we are so thankful for everything he gives us.