Our elf "Charlie"

We've had a visitor this holiday season, sent from Santa, to watch the boys and make sure they are being good. We named him Charlie, and he is one of Santa's elves. Every night after we go to bed, he flies to the North Pole and talks to Santa about how Logan and Sawyer behaved that day, and comes back down to our house and hides in a different place. The boys have had a blast every morning running around to find where Charlie is hiding. I must thank Santa next time I see him, because the boys have been behaving so well when Charlie is here. I wonder if he could visit year round?!

The Elves at Gardner Village

My sister and I took all the kids today to see the elves at Gardner Village. I have always wanted to go and see them, and knowing how cute the witches are there around Halloween, I knew it would be cute~and we weren't disappointed! The weather wasn't too cold, and the boys kept warm running around looking for the elves. We all enjoyed a holiday treat at the bakery afterwards, gingerbread men of course!

Gingerbread House

I have learned from past years, so this year I bought a gingerbread house that was already made and just needed the icing and candies put on it. I was always so frustrated at the house because it wouldn't stand up and the roof would slide off, this year was actually enjoyable and the end product really looked like a gingerbread house. The boys had fun putting it together, and really didn't eat that much candy!

Visit from Gma and Gpa K

Every year right before Christmas Grandma and Grandpa K come up to visit for a few days, and we always get together for dinner at either our house or the Vincents. This year it was our turn to host and we all enjoyed dinner, great company, and all the grandkids were able to open their "prechrismas" presents that gma and gpa bring for them every year, which always includes matching pajamas~so cute! Their visit was short, but I was so thankful that they had good weather to drive in.

Our Chrismas Tree

I'm a little behind on my blog, but I wanted to share some pictures of our Chrismas Tree which we put up the day after Thanksgiving. The boys are old enough now that they are able to help out, but to be honest I go back over what they have done if they are not watching because Sawyer puts them all on one branch and Logan put his all on one side. It's the making memories that count, and I have sooo many fond memories with my family at Christmas time that I want to create as much as I can with my boys. This year Anthony put up lights all around the trees in the front and the back yard, so our house looks very festive inside and out!

Fun in the snow!

I've been trying to embrace winter this year so that maybe it won't seem as long and miserable as it did last year for me. So far we've enjoyed playing outside in the snow making a "snowball fort" and a good attempt at a snowman. The boys have also gone sleeding at a nearby park, and of course I've already done my share of shoveling and plowing our driveway. I must admit, it hasn't been that bad yet, although it isn't even officially winter until tomorrow! I do love having a "White Christmas"!

the snowfort

Indy, Hunter, and Logan trying to make a snowman

Logan and Hunter making snowballs

keeping warm with some hot chocolate