Christmas Tree Time

We finally got the tree inside and ready to decorate! I can't tell you how much time I spent on the lights, I think there's 1,700 little twinkle lights all aglow on that beauty! Tuesday evening we reserved for family tree decorating, and we all had a great time! The girls loved hearing the stories about each ornament and the ones that didn't have stories they weren't interested in hanging- pretty cute! Trinity graciously let Emory put the angel on top since she is the one who had the honors last year. It looks beautiful! Addison entertained herself quite well during the decorating, and as soon as it was done she was THRILLED with the result! She was kicking and screaming, giggling and smiling- just staring at the tree! What a great time of the year!

Trinity hanging the first ornament, a candy cane she made at school when she was 3.

Emory hanging an ornament of Greg's from when he was little (you'll notice she's hanging it on the same branch as another ornament- spacing them out is a concept we're working on)

Addison putting an angel on the tree

Emory putting the angel on top!

I am so grateful to have such wonderful memories with such incredible little girls (and husband too)! I am truly blessed!

Trinity's journal

Trinity has just made the first entry in her journal, "Billy is so cute I want to marry him" and drew a picture of him. UGH! I'm in way over my head! I open to any suggestions out there on how to convince her that boys are YUCKY!

Trains, trains, trains!!!!!

Monday after picking Trinity up from school we went to Northpark to enjoy the holiday festivities. Greg joined us after he was finished with work and we had a wonderful evening as a family! We visited the Trains and listened to Santa's story time. If you haven't taken the opportunity to visit the trains at Northpark, I highly recommend it! The scenery they set up for these things is wonderful! Trinity and Emory kept seeing things they would yell and scream about and they learned a lot about several other US cities as well (Trinity learned a Subway was more than just a yummy sandwich shop) and Addison got a real kick out of watching the trains go round the room and all the lights go on and off and all the scenery move!

Trinity and Emory were so excited to see the trains moving they ran inside!

Addison trying to figure out what's going on

Addison as a train conductor

Greg the conductor

Spinning Around Ball!!!!!

Trinity the conductor

Santa at Northpark is AMAZING! He told the best story and all the kids participated in it! A truly magical experience!

Cookies, Crafts and Parades with Nana and Pops

Saturday was our second annual Cookies and Crafts at Nana and Pop's house and what a great time it was! We started out the day by all going to the Adolphus Children's Parade downtown. We had never gone before and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the floats! The girls loves every part of it! Addison was really excited to see all of the fun balloons and people dressed up, she loved the music too. She got so excited she wore herself out and fell asleep less than half way through!

After the parade we headed over to Nana and Pops' house to make Christmas cookies and Gingerbread houses. The girls had a great time participating in the baking, designing and decorating- it was right up their alley!

Ali and Aiden making cookies

Aiden decorating cookies

Sheridan, Trinity and Emory making cookies

Clark enjoying the gingerbread house he was supposed to be building

Trinity and Nana decorating her gingerbread house

Aiden, Clark, Trinity and Emory with their masterpieces!

Aiden enjoying the taste of his masterpiece

After a day of baking we had to play a little. Oh, I think I forgot to mention all the boys (Greg, his dad and brother) left to go shooting while the girls were taking care of and entertaining the kids. One of these days we're going to get the day off while they entertain!

Nana teaching Aiden to play the flute

Nana teaching Trinity to play the flute

Our nephew, Clark. He is always smiling like this! Aren't his dimples precious?!

Pops with Aiden's light saber. He was having way too much fun!

Nana and most of her kiddos

Here is Nana playing her flute with Trinity and Aiden sing. Couldn't not include this one

Christmas Trees Galore!

On Friday night we took our annual trip to the Christmas Tree Lot in Casa Linda and picked out the perfect tree. We had a great time looking at all the trees and feeling all the trees until we found the perfect one! While it was being loaded into the car we went to visit the huge tree in the parking lot and decided we would take a few pictures. They're not great (only two of many turned out at all), it was night time and we were all exhausted, but I thought I would share them anyway.

WOO-HOO IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!