The Christmas Season

Since Christmas has become more than just one day, this will be a long blog.  Many activities lead up to Christmas...some traditions that must always be done as well as new activities.  First up is always the Festival of Trees - the kids love the gingerbread village (above) and who has ever seen an Elvis tree???

The gingerbread cookies at FOT are a must!

Plus, no lines to see the Santa at FOT (so no mall Santa lines!).

Grandma, Kate, Olivia, and Grammy ready for our Nutcracker Ballet tradition!

Decorating the Christmas tree.

Yep, we put a lot of ornaments on the tree!

The yearly gingerbread house.

This year the kids had a great time caroling with their church group.

Cookie decorating with a friend...this is the before picture.

And the after picture!  They did a great job!

The St. John's Lutheran Christmas Program.  I am not at all surprised by Ethan's expression.

Snow!!

Family Christmas pictures.

Yes, I have a posed and serious picture.  But I have decided to go with the realistic picture.

Leaving cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve!

Ethan and Olivia's presents from Santa.

And their presents from family.  Nope, they are not spoiled at all!

The aftermath of the kids opening presents.

Ethan received a DS XL 3D for Christmas, and Olivia received an iPad mini.  Basically, they looked like this all Christmas vacation.

Christmas at Grammy and Grandpa Brett's house!  Here they are playing with their cousin Lula.

Grammy and Grandpa Brett gave Ethan the present he most wanted - these brawlin' buddies.  He was a bit worried when Santa did not give them to him.

Ethan, Lula, Grammy, and Olivia watching pizza being made at Dewey's Pizza.  Might have to become a new Christmas tradition??