Weekly Happenings - 12/23 - 12/29

1.  Our niece, Whitney, continued her visit with us until Tuesday!  On Monday, I took the girls swimming, to Chick Fil A, we ran a few errands and wrapped-up our day with a trip to the nail salon!  The girls had their nails painted like candy canes - they were adorable and had a great time!

2.  On Tuesday, the kids woke up to find a note from Tinkerbelle & Cookie saying that Santa would lift their magic for a short time so they could hug and kiss them goodbye since they would be leaving with Santa on Christmas Eve night.  They were SO excited!!  They said their goodbyes and then carefully put them back in their place, praying at the nativity - what a great way to start our Christmas celebrations!!

3.  After lunch on Tuesday, we packed up the car to head to Grandma & Grandpa Todd's for our Christmas celebration with Daddy's family.  It was great to see everyone and a wild time as always! The kids had fun playing with their cousins and of course opening all their fun new things while we enjoyed visiting with the adults.  After we opened presents we had a tasty dinner before it was time to say goodbye.  You know, the big guy would be coming soon so we had to get home to prepare!

4.  Speaking of preparations, the kids really got into it this year which was awesome!  They poured milk and carefully prepared a plate of cookies for Santa....

then bundled up (it was FREEZING!) to sprinkle reindeer food for Santa's reindeer....

then wrapped-up the evening by getting into their Santa pajamas for Daddy to read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.  They knew Santa couldn't come until they were in bed so they were ready to fall asleep without any arguing or stall tactics!

5.  Christmas morning almost got an early start - Peyton came down around 4:30 to but really just wanted to climb into bed with us.  Normally this isn't ok but since it was Christmas and I REALLY wanted her to go back to sleep we made an exception!  She fell back asleep and Garrison was actually the first one ready to get out of bed around 6:30.  Christmas was beyond fantastic this year - it was so amazing to see the wonder and excitement in their eyes as they discovered all that Santa had left, looked through their stockings and opened their presents.  We had a great time as our family of 4 opening presents and spending time together.  After breakfast (candy canes made out of bananas & strawberries) and a little more play time it was time for our next celebration!

6.  Off to Grammy & Grandpas we went.  Santa had even left some goodies at their house which the kids were excited to find as soon as we arrived!  The Mintun clan then arrived for a tasty "snack" themed lunch along with a birthday cake for Baby Jesus - the whole reason we celebrate this holiday!  The kids helped decorate Jesus' cake - they thought he needed LOTS of sprinkles!  After lunch we opened presents and then it was time for Garrison to take a nap.  The rest of us enjoyed some extra time to visit and spend time together as a family.  Then it was time for our smaller family to celebrate & open presents.  Garrison wasn't too hip on the idea as he was still waking up but Peyton dug right in!  Garrison did finally come around to the idea, once we said he could take his pants off. ;)  The best was when I opened an American Girl doll I had been wanting - Peyton was not so sure I should have one and has now placed Emily on permanent loan!

7.  Grammy & Grandpa were off the next several days so the kids stayed with them for some extra fun! They played with their new toys, painted, went on walks, went to the playground, cooked, helped take down the Christmas decorations and spent some extra time over at Great Grandma Mintun's playing.  Peyton even convinced Grandma Mintun to stay the night with her one night - what a treat!  They had a great time but were excited to come home on Saturday afternoon.  When they got home, they were able to show all of their fun presents to Grammy & Grandpa and tell them about all their favorite things.  We even got to go out to dinner before it was time for Grammy & Grandpa to head home.

8.  While the kids were away, we did some serious work (and play!) around here.  We went to see Saving Mr. Banks - excellent movie, had dinner at a hibachi restaurant (something we can't do with the kids), did a little shopping, Chad painted a large & tall room of the house and I did some organizing and de-cluttering.  Time well spent and all things much easier to do without or favorite 4 little helping hands!

9.  On Sunday, we wrapped-up our week by attending Lucas' baptism.  Chad & I were honored to be asked to be Lucas' Godparents and were thankful to be able to participate in his baptism.  The mass and ceremony were both great (and the kids were well behaved - bonus!).  After a tasty lunch, we stopped by Grandma & Grandpa Todd's to visit before heading home for lots of play time and a fashion show trying on all of our Christmas clothes before they got put away.

We had a fantastic week and feel very blessed always, but especially during this holiday season!

Weekly Happenings - 12/16 - 12/22

1.  This week started out a bit on the unplanned side!  Peyton got sick late Sunday night and was sick into Monday morning so I stayed home with her.  We have come a long way though.  When she did get sick, she handled it so well.  And talked about how it isn't fun to be sick but she was going to be strong.  She held herself together and didn't get upset.  And she even mostly threw-up in a sink or a bucket - a big win for Mom!  

Garrison woke-up with a fever on Tuesday morning so he was home the next day!  Thankfully, everyone was back to school on Wednesday and ready to start the week!  Check-out our adorable little guy on a day he didn't feel tops.  Precious to say the least!

2.  Wednesday, however, brought dentist appointments.  Both kids were cavity free - yay!!  And Peyton was such a big girl!  She went with the hygienist all by herself, had her teeth cleaned, x-rayed and even examined by the dentist before I joined her after Garrison was done.  Wow - she is getting to be so mature!

3.  On Thursday, we had the kids' holiday parties.  Check-out the mozzarella snowmen I made for their treats - so fun, and healthy, too!  Peyton had fun in her class party and then joined me for Garrison's party!  Garrison still isn't quite so sure of Santa but didn't get upset with him being too close.  His only words were, "I no high-five Santa.  I don't want to."  You don't have to, buddy, you don't have to!

4.  We continued our advent calendar this week and it was a busy one!  We went on a sleigh-ride through our neighborhood looking at Christmas lights while drinking hot chocolate, apple cider and eating cookies with our neighbors - it was awesome!!  May be one of my new favorite activities.  We also made our neighbor treat baskets and delivered them, took a glow in the dark bath and had a dance party!

5.  Love this picture of our Christmas tree - still trying to play around with my camera but I was happy with this one. :)

6.  On Saturday, the kids got to open a Christmas present early.  A big box that was for the whole family...a paper chain to count down the days until we go to Walt Disney World!!!  We got to look at maps of all the fun things we will get to do and talked about the characters they will get to meet!  Grammy & Grandpa will also be joining us for our trip down to the House of the Mouse!  We cannot wait!!!

7.  Saturday night brought a couple of inches of snow so we dressed in our warm snow clothes Sunday morning for a little outside time!  Garrison was less than interested in putting on layers of clothes and boots so Peyton & I went outside for some play time.  Peyton made snow angels, threw snowballs, helped shovel, tried snow cartwheels & went sledding.  As soon as she got to the bottom of our "hill" she would yell "AGAIN!"  I think she had a good time!!

8.  On Sunday, cousin Whitney came to spend the night with us - the girls were PUMPED!  And they have been great keeping Garrison included in their play too.  He looks up to them so much!  As a special treat, we ventured out to Steak & Shake for dinner and they were thrilled!  After dinner, we drove around to look at lights.  Words coming out of the back seat included, "cool lights," "that's fantastic," and even "look at those monkey lights."  Not sure where that last one came from...

9.  Here is Peyton's official picture with Santa from last week.  Love her smile!

10.  Garrison surprised us this week - he can sing his ABC's or his ABCD's as he says!  I am so proud of him!!

11.  Peyton says the darnedest things...after she got sick on Sunday as we were cleaning everything up she says to Chad, "I make your world more fun, don't I."  Yes, darling, you make our world more fantastic than we could have ever imagined!

Weekly Happenings - 12/9 - 12/15

1.  We have been continuing with our daily family Advent activities and it was a busy week!  We enjoyed hot chocolate as a snack (in Mommy & Daddy mugs while sitting on the counter none the less!), popcorn in the car while looking at Christmas lights, an indoor picnic dinner and doing artwork.  I love all of the activities we do and how much the kids are really starting to get into it and can't wait to find out each day's activity first thing in the morning!

 

2.  Tinkerbelle & Cookie are still with us and bringing lots of fun to our holiday season.  They even built a house out of toothpicks and marshmallows one morning!

3.  On Friday, our activity was a fun day with Mommy & Grammy for Peyton.  We planned to go to Crown Center but the ice in the morning had different ideas!  Instead, we enjoyed a quiet morning at home watching cartoons and playing.  Then, we went to lunch at Olive Garden (always a favorite!) and then on to the mall for some shopping and a visit with SANTA!!!  Peyton also got a new unicorn, "Princess," at Build a Bear.  She sat on Santa's lap and talked to him and took a great picture.  We wrapped-up our trip to the mall with gelato - can't be beat!  

 4.  Since the weather wasn't great on Friday morning and was predicted to be nasty on Saturday, Grammy decided to stay the night so she could make sure to make it to Peyton's gymnastics meet.  The weather turned out to be ok but we were still glad to have a visitor!  Daddy & I got to sneak in an unexpected date and even got to sleep in a little.  We had a quiet morning around the house - Peyton even painted Grammy's nails, complete with a full manicure! ;)  After running a few errands, we enjoyed lunch at Blue Moose before heading back for rest time.

5.  Also on Saturday, Peyton had her gymnastics meet!  She was thrilled to have quite a cheering section - Mommy, Daddy, Garrison, Grammy & Grandpa Arthur and Grandma & Grandpa Todd!  She completed her routines on the balance beam, floor, vault & bar.  She did an awesome job, had lots of smiles and did great "ta das" this year!  She was also thrilled with her certificate and trophy!!