Blake's Christmas Gift to Us!

Blake made a special gift for us at school.  It was a letter, and two hand-made ornaments.

"Christmas is a special time of happiness

and joy.  Of wonderful suprises for every

girl and boy.

It should also be a special time for you,

dear mom and dad.  Cause you're my favorite

people, the best friends I'll ever have.

I don't have a lot of money, you know that this

is true, but I do have lot and lots of love that

I want to give to you.

So as you open up this bag and wonder what it

could be, just know that is comes from the heart,

a special gift to you from me! 

LOVE BLAKE"

Christmas Portraits

Our Gingerbread House

We made our gingerbread house today!  Aunt Susie helped us get it put together and then Blake headed up the decorating part, Taylor assisted!  This one actually stayed together for us! 

Ready for work!

Making the iccing

Sneaking bites!

The construction crew, hard at work

The finished product!

Blake's Warm Fuzzy

Blake asked if he could have $1 to buy a warm fuzzy....he said that you wear them around your neck and you pull off pieces of string to give to someone along with a compliment.  When someone gives you a "compliment" you tie their piece of string onto your warm fuzzy.  I figured that it was sweet, so I let him, this is what he came home with...

That night, he game me some "compliments", I tied them onto the buttons of my nightgown, the next morning, he saw that his strings were still around my buttons, "Mom, you wear compliments well"  Ha ha !!

Buddy came back!

We got out our Elf on the Shelf book to read so we could see if "our" elf would come back again this year.  I wasn't sure that I was going to invite him back because it was alot of work to remember....but, the kids saw the movie on tv, so we did it!  Instead of us reading them the story, it became Blake's job...he offered to be the official Elf on the Shelf reader...he got the job!  He read it to us by the fire that night, and what'ya know??  Buddy appeared by morning! 

Santa's Wonderland

We went to Bass Pro to see Santa again this year...it's free and the kids love all that "Santa's Wonderland" has to offer!  We went with Karen, Seth, and Luke again..it's our 2nd annual Santa event!! 

Taylor, Seth, Luke, and Blake

My brave girl!

Blake stood to the side, telling Santa what he'd like

Taylor was so nervous, but she told him that she wanted the "doggy doo"
game...yuck!  Do you see the curious look on Blake's face...I
think he's wondering if this is Santa

Santa 2011

no lines to wait in this year!! YAY!

slot car races



riding wild animals



How happy could one girl be??!?!?

Until next year, Santa!

What does the Advent Calendar hold for us today?!?!?

I have this advent calendar that I've had for years, it's fun for the kids, but I've already gotten behind on it!  They didn't get to open one until December 3rd!  Oh well, better late than never.  I bought small candies such as Andes mints and chocolate coins to place here and there.  Mostly I will fill each morning with things we get to do that evening.  Yesterday, Blake opened his note inside and it told him that he got to go to his friend's house after school, Tay got to pick a game for us to play together.  Tonight, they got to read the "Elf on the Shelf" book, they were excited all day because, Buddy the elf, is also a bit delayed!  lol!  I have to help our Elf out each day, if ya know what I mean, AND place the advent suprise in it's proper numbered day.  It's alot to do each day, but I absoutely LOVE it!!!