St. Nicholas came by on the 6th and left a little goodie for each of our littles ones in their shoes that were left out.
They were both well received.
The Christmas tree was chosen.
Baby E and I stayed warm while the guys had it wrapped up after we picked it out as we stayed inside the store to escape the snow.
We brought the tree in and later decorated it once it all fell more. Meeko and Tucker have both been intrigued by the tree but haven't caused any issues with it thus far!
We collected needles off the tree for our 3rd Christmas as a married couple!
The elf on the shelf has made his first appearance at our house this year.
He has been hanging around here since December 1st and will be through Christmas Eve.
N has really enjoyed having elf around. Each morning I ask where elf is and he will look around until he finds him (or gets bored trying to find him and I then I need to point him out) and will point and laugh. Throughout the day N can be found pointing and giggling at elf's naughtiness.
It wouldn't be the Christmas season without basketball in our family. Mary Grace is playing with her fellow 4th graders as this is their first year and her team has done super well. We also learned N also thoroughly enjoys basketball games (and likely may be influenced by the fact grandpa buys him popcorn usually) and is very attentive to where the ball is, perhaps he will be a future basketball star!
Even baby E comes to cheer Mary on!
Not Christmas season related but baby E has discovered her thumb and can be found sucking on it more and more. Had to throw it in because there's nothing cuter than a thumb sucking babe!
Mary had her 4th grade Christmas concert
She even sang a duet with another girl. She had to try out and got the part and beyond being unbelievably nervous before she did so well!
No concert is official until we end in celebration at Malley's! N enjoyed his first Malley's ice cream experience and really enjoyed stealing bites from everyone else too!
Our yearly Polar Express trip had two extra passengers this year!
They opted to wear their elf jammies for the occasion.
Conductor GT
There was dancing in the train aisles.
A lot of singing
Of course looking for Santa and the elves at the North Pole.
We picked Santa up at the North Pole and he came bringing bells we all could still hear :)
An elf was even hung upside down!
While the other elf was non-stop chatting.
Baby E took her candy cane seriously!
We all had fun as usual!
Our next Christmas excursion was Hixson's for a VIP party with Santa and to pick out our yearly Christmas bulb.
Almost everyone enjoyed Santa.
GT was slightly suspicious about this character in red with a white beard.
A George's and Santa photo
There are hundreds upon hundreds of bulbs all hand painted to choose from.
Mr. Hixson signed and dated each as usual!
Baby E nomming on her carrier which is no surprise as lately she will nom on everything in sight! Unbelievable she is already 3 whole months old!
We will continue our Christmas festivities tomorrow with a foster care Christmas party before heading to PA for pre-Christmas celebrations with Brian's side of the family. It is definitely the busiest but most wonderful time of the year!
