Pizza After Santa

Some of the kids eating pizza.

After meeting Santa we all headed over to my sister in law, April's house for pizza.  The kids played, the adults talked, we ate pizza and watched a short Christmas movie.  It was great fun. It's nice to be around family.

Kenny making a cup tower.

Getting ready to watch a Christmas movie. 

Pirate Cooper and Carlie eating pizza.

Mindy and baby Tate.

Meeting Santa

The kids (plus mom) with Santa.

My sister in law called me and told me there was going to be a Santa Clause at the Woods Cross Junior High on December 8th.  She invited us to go with her and my other sister in law.  I figured a free Santa with cousins, sure, why not.  We loaded the kids up around 5:00 and headed down the road to see Santa.  The line wasn't too bad and the kids enjoyed playing with cousins while we waited.  Our family went first and all the kids were excited to see Santa except for Adam.  We took a group shot first, but the only way Adam would even get close to Santa was if I was holding him, so I got to be in the picture with the kids.  After the picture the kids took turns talking to Santa for a few minutes.  It was quick, but free and lots of fun.  I think we'll have to go back next year.

Ben explaining to Santa what he wants for Christmas.

Daniel had no problems with Santa and had plenty to say to him.

Hannah talking to Santa.

Adam finally warmed up to Santa just enough to get his candy bag.

The kids talking to Santa.  I didn't get a picture of Gracie.  This is the only one I have.

Sarah telling Santa what she wants for Christmas.  It's nice know at 10 your still young enough to talk to Santa.

Fixing The Trailer

Daddy keeping a close eye on Daniel as he puts holes in a board.

We bought our little trailer 4 1/2 years ago and it has been very useful for us.  Our van has such a small back that if we go pretty much anywhere we need to take the trailer to carry our stuff.  Kenny built some sides and a roof for it when we bought it, but over the years they've seen some wear.  He decided that before he put the trailer away after we went to pick up our Christmas tree, he was going to fix the trailer sides.  On December 8th he pulled the car out of the garage and went to work on the trailer.  The little boys found him in the garage and wanted to help.  It took him probably double the amount of time, but Kenny got the trailer done and did a great job of letting the little boys 'help' in the process. They had so much fun working with their Daddy.

Adam using the drill.

Dan poking holes in the wood with the drill.

Adam using the hammer on the side of the trailer.

Daniel's turn with the hammer.

Santa Bubble Face

Daniel's Santa face.

Daniel has learned that if you use a lot of soap in the bathroom it creates lots of fun bubbles.  I'm constantly telling him to stop washing his hands and stop making bubbles, but they're so fun that he doesn't listen to me. On December 8th I walked down the hall to my bedroom and discovered Daniel in the bathroom making a bubble mess.  When I asked him what he was doing he told me he was being Santa Clause.  He was having so much fun and it was so cute that I decided to grab the camera and take some pictures. Oh, the simple joys of being a kid.

I lobe this one with the huge bubble.

Decorating the Gingerbread Clock Tower

Us with our finished gingerbread clock tower.

Grandma and Grandpa Newbry came down on Saturday December 1st to see the Festival of Tree's tree that the extended family donated.  Before going to the Festival they came to our house to help the kids decorate our gingerbread clock tower.  We weren't quite ready for them when they arrived  but they waited patiently for us to finish the clock tower and then went to work decorating it with us.  Everyone had a lot of fun and they did a pretty good job.  It's definitely not professional  nor will it win any awards, but the kids love it and had fun with their grandparents.  Maybe next year we'll make the village we've wanted to make for years.  

Grandma helping to glue together the clock tower.

Adam helping to decorate the clock tower.

Hannah and Grandpa Newbry

Decorating with grandma.

Adam got bored after awhile and decided just to eat the frosting.

 

The kids with grandma and grandpa and the finished product.

Festival of Tree's

A bad picture of our tree, but the only one I could get because it was soooo crowded.

My husbands family worked on a tree to donate for the Festival of Tree's this year.  Many women got together and sewed thing to put on the tree, others donated money, and his cousin sent decorations from Germany.  My sister in law was in charge of spearheading the project and when it came time to decorate the tree she needed help.  My other 2 sister in laws who live in the area were unable to make it so she called me for help.  I was able to spend the entire day there, helping her decorate the tree they were going to donate.  It was a great experience and a lot of fun.  I'm glad I was able to be a part of it.

Cadence, Hannah, Carlie, and Lilly waiting to go inside to see the tree.

Some of the kids playing outside while waiting to go in and see the trees.

The Saturday of the Festival of Trees my in laws came down and the entire family (minus Michael and Sarah who live in Colorado) went to see the tree that the extended family donated.  It was really crowded, but fun for the everyone   We spent most of our time looking at the gingerbread houses because the kids didn't want to stand in line to look at the trees.  It so crowded that we didn't get to see much of the family, but it was nice to go anyway.