Christmas Festivities

We were able to do a lot of fun things leading up to Chrismas. We made an advent calendar with an envelope to open each day. Joe looked forward to it every day, and if we didn't do it first thing in the morning he would tell me, "Mom, you gotfor the envelope!" (He almost always switches forgot to gotfor.) Some of the activities were seeing the trains/tree at the gardens, have a friend over for hot chocolate, ward/music time/preschool parties, get donuts from Olsen's, watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas, write a letter to Santa, etc. I think we'll make it a tradition.

Another thing we'll make a tradition, Skyping with Santa.

Joe was so excited to talk to Santa over Skype. He was much less shy about it than he was when we took him to see Santa at Bass Pro Shop, where he wouldn't even talk to him, and kept at least 5 feet away from him the whole time. Will wasn't a fan of see Santa either, and went straight as a board when I tried to put him on his lap. Maybe next year, and if not, both boys liked seeing Santa on Skype, so they can still talk to him :)

Christmas tree pancakes. Joe's favorite part was the whipped topping star.

One of our advent activities was to decorate a felt tree. The boys had a lot of fun decorating it the first time, but didn't play with it as much as I thought they would after that.

Joe was pretty happy with his creation.

One activity I will probably leave off the list next year is sleeping under the tree. After laying there with a wide awake Joe for about an hour and a half we decided it wasn't such a good idea after all, and had him sleep in his bed.

Playing in the Snow

We didn't have any snow anywhere near Christmas, but we did have some the very beginning of December. Joe was so excited about it. All four of us went out to play for a while, then Will got pretty cold. He wanted to keep playing, but wanted to be inside at the same time.

Joe and Zach made a great snowman.

They also made snow angels.

Joe was so sad when the snow melted. We have had incredibly warm weather for December and January, but today it got cold again and snowed. Joe is thrilled about it.

Christmas at the Gardens

Every year, the botanical gardens near or house does a big Christmas display, complete with model trains. This is the first year of the three that we have been there that we have gone to see it. I can't believe we never went earlier! The display was beautiful and the boys loved it. I think we went four times this year, and I wish we would have gone more.

I think the trolley is Will's favorite.

The huge poinsettia "tree"

And Joe told me his favorite was the train with the people in it. We are so lucky to live close enough to enjoy the gardens often.