Christmas Things Part 1

Pajamas, hot chocolate, and looking at Christmas lights.  It's tradition.

Polar Express train/pajama day at school.  We kind of threw the train car together the night before but sister was so proud.

Pajamas (seeing a theme here?), popcorn, and Christmas movies.

Heading to see Santa.  But then Santa had a two hour wait...

At least I got this nice picture out of it!

Cookies!

Avery said something so funny and memorable during this experience (and if you've baked with kids you know it is an experience).  I had rolled out the dough and Ben-who had gotten the pizza cutter that goes with the play food-started slashing it across my freshly rolled dough.  I quickly intervened and said "oh, no no no.  We don't do that, buddy."  Avery said, "Mom, he just wants to help."  I said "oh, I know, honey, but" and she cut me off and said "just give him a chance."

Sometimes this girl is so much older than her 5 years.  And all the time she is looking out for her brother.

Almost the last day of school before Christmas break-party day!!

Christmas Card

I hoped to have some family pictures taken this fall but time just got away from us.  Which led to me frantically searching for matching Christmas pajamas and desperately trying to get the kids to pose (JUST STAY STILL FOR ONE SECOND) in front of the tree.

Nice, but can I get a little bit more enthusiasm from the guy in green?

WHERE DID THE BINOCULARS COME FROM?!

Maybe trying just a liiiiiitle too hard.

Perhaps it's blurry due to me shaking with laughter?

Smooth...

Fine, just look at the tree.

I like where this is going....

Yes, work it!

Well, that's just adorable.

These two...

 
 Not my best but at least it's accurate...

He's Baaaaaack

Ok, well by now he's actually gone.  Ahem.  I'm a little behind.

Hank came back on December 1st via USPS.  Or maybe just the mailbox.

He had a letter explaining how happy he was to be back with Avery and Ben for the month.   Avery remembered the rules about not touching Hank but she wasn't so sure Ben would abide by them.  She (very cleverly I might add) taped some pieces of construction paper end to end to Ben's height, and wrote a note to Hank warning him not to place himself below that level. 

She even left a snack for him one night.

I managed to capture some of his shenanigans over the course of the month.

Hanging from the garland with a stolen ornament

Stealing our bed.  Avery said "well, you're just gonna have to sleep on the couch tonight."

Reminding them to practice good hygiene

He created a table scape involving himself and the nutcrackers

Marshmallows with Olaf and Elsa

A note and two candy canes

He's very vain

A friendly reminder and a fruit snack hijacking

Avery concluded "he's in love."

Not the gingerbread house!

Not stealing Christmas here!

On Christmas Eve the doorbell rang and Hank was waiting on the porch with some pjs for the kids.

This is why...

Avery was pretty bummed that Hank had to go back to the North Pole but the excitement of Christmas Eve distracted her.  

It was fun having him around for the month. 

Thanksgiving

I had some helpers (tasters) in the kitchen on Thanksgiving eve.

We decided to do sponge curlers in Avery's hair, which curled beautifully.

We did the usual rounds on Thanksgiving and ate LOTS of food.  Tom, Laurie, and Kari were visiting so it was nice to see them.

Memaw is in trouble

 

The next day Rob got the lights on the house.

And Avery and I went and painted ornaments at a local pottery shop.  I did a Target run earlier that morning, but otherwise didn't do much Black Friday shopping.

We had a nice little Thanksgiving and we're all ready for the holiday season now!!

Route 66 Relay

I had some great cheerleaders for the Route 66 Marathon Relay the Sunday before Thanksgiving!







































We lucked out with the weather-I was afraid it was going to be super cold and it wasn't at all.  This was my first 5 mile race and I was happy to finish in an hour.  Avery wanted to know if I won, and when I told her I didn't she wanted to know why I got a medal.

So thankful for my cute cheerleaders.