Weekly Happenings - 12/21 - 12/27

1.  Christmas preparations continued this week and on Tuesday, we put together several treat baskets and delivered them to our neighbors.  The kids were super helpful this year and had lots of fun walking around the neighborhood (thanks to awesome weather) to spread Christmas cheer!

2.  Since Peyton has been off school, Garrison has been staying home too.  We have stayed busy with LOTS of crafts - two fan favorites so far - sock snowman and a make-your-own bouncy ball!

3.  Wednesday brought our annual trip down to Crown Center / Union Station and it again didn't disappoint.  This year, our friends Angie, Hailey and Ethan joined in the fun!  The weather was GORGEOUS so we played outside first with no coats (in December!).  Next up we went to Fritz's for lunch which is a fan favorite around both of our households!  We then walked around Crown Center and then over to Union Station to check-out the trains and beautiful Christmas displays!!  We finished our trip up with a tasty chocolate snack from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory - a day that can't be beat!!!

4.  Christmas Eve started off well with a surprise note from Santa telling the kids they could hug and kiss their elves goodbye - Peyton now knows this is a tradition and had been looking forward to it for days!

5.  Christmas Eve this year was at Grandma & Grandpa Todd's house so we were off to the celebration after lunch.  Everyone arrived at close to the same time and the kids were ready to dig into the presents!  Needless to say, with 7 kids worth of presents, it can be a little wild but lots of fun.  After presents, we enjoyed a tasty meal of soup and sandwiches and stopped by Nana & Papa's for a visit before heading home.  

6.  Santa preparations were in full form this year- first up was getting Santa's cookies and milk ready followed by the spreading of the reindeer food we made for Santa's reindeer.  Last but not least, Daddy's reading of "The Night Before Christmas" and then off to bed, with dreams of sugar plums in their heads!

7.  Christmas morning was magical, just as it should be!  Peyton and Garrison were very excited to check-out what Santa had left them and were thankful for Santa recognizing their good behavior over the year!  We were also excited to have Grammy & Grandpa add their stockings to our mantel this year and join us for our Christmas morning excitement!  The kids found their presents first then helped all of the adults look through their stockings.  Next-up, we opened gifts for our family.  Peyton had a big wish this year and was not disappointed when she opened her iPad as her last gift from Mom & Dad!  The last picture here cracks me up - Daddy had lots of help opening, including help from Apollo!

8.  After a tasty breakfast of cherry coffee cake, we moved into the living room to open presents with Grammy & Grandpa!  Of course, the kids went first and when they were done, they helped all of the adults open theirs!  Peyton & Garrison had opening presents down a science by the end of it and had almost as much fun opening as they had finding out what was inside!

9.  Next up was Christmas Dinner (lunch) and it was so fun to cook our meal this year!  I got out a lot of our "wedding china" to set the table - Peyton was most impressed by the fancy glasses and shiny plates - Peyton picked out the flowers for our table and the kids Gingerbread houses finished it off with style!  We also added one of Grandma Mintun's serving bowls to our table.  Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

10.  On Saturday, we wrapped-up our Christmas celebrations with Todd Christmas, celebrating with Grandpa Todd's extended family.  I think we ended up with close to 50 people in attendance and we had a yummy taco bar followed by presents left under the tree and a few games.  The adults had a great time visiting and catching up while the kids burned all kinds of energy playing in the gym with their cousins!  

11.  On Sunday, we had a fantastic, quiet family day that we wrapped-up the best way possible - a fire in the fireplace and s'mores!  Sunday was just the day we needed as a family, spending lots of time together and recharging after a busy few days of Christmas!