So much fun!

I love Christmas. I have so many fun memories from this time of year, and many of them center around the advent calendar that my mom made for us each year. Each day we would open a note or get a surprise. The notes told of the fun things we would do that day. The advent calendar is one tradition that I have loved continuing on with my own kids. Our calendar has pockets, and each day the kids have either a note or a surprise in their pocket. Some days they get figures for their nativity scene with part of the Christmas story. Some days they get small treats. Most days they get a note telling them the fun activity for the day. Here are some of the things we have done.


We went to cut down our tree. What an experience! It was getting dark. Both kids were whining about being thirsty because their brilliant mom had given them crackers on the way there (we didn't want hungry kids!) but didn't bring any water. Grace walked around saying, "This is hard work!" It was hard work. There were thousands of trees but none that were all that attractive. We finally chose one as the sun began to set. It has a lot of character. =)

Jeff and Charlie on the hunt.

Grace thought this one was perfect. Maybe if we had 30 feet ceilings!

We decorated the tree...And had hot cocoa...

We had a movie night! We froze at the tree lighting ceremony.We went to visit Santa!

All dressed up to visit the Big Guy...The kids did great. Grace sat down and talked with Santa for a minute and remembered to tell him about the "tooter" that she wants. Charlie wouldn't sit next to him, but he stood on box nearby for the picture.

The best part of the visit was the candy cane suckers.Luckily we still have 2 more weeks until Christmas because we have a lot more fun things planned!