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!