CHRISTMAS

Our tree went up the Saturday after Christmas. Why is it sooo fun digging out all the decorations?! Chris and I were as giddy as the kids!  Our tree is pretty much indistructable...cranberry and ribbon garlands, metal jingle bells, candy canes and kids ornaments....and we love it! Olivia put the star on the top just like she has every other year. That is one coveted perk of being the oldest child in the house and certainly one she will not be giving up anytime soon. Except now she's getting kind of big for her Dad's shoulders! He hoisted her up there though because he loves the annual tradition of making her think he's going to drop her!

Nick was appointed tree skirt duty this year and he didn't let us down!

Every year the kids get a new ornament to add to their collections and this year was no exception. Well,  except that this year they were all very fragile so they are hung towards the top of the tree for protection! Ben was with me when I bought them and he picked out a spotted turquoise T-rex for himself. Nick debuted his dancing skills at many a public gathering this year so he was given a super cute disco dancing mouse. And Olivia has become quite a baker/chef, asking nearly every day if she can make cookies or get dinner ready for the family so her ornament was a tiny glass cupcake stand with glittery cupcakes under the dome. 

fragile.....very fragile....

The next morning the kids sent their Christmas emails to Santa Claus. We found the cutest interactive website several years back and the kids just love it! This was the first year Ben could really send his own email, complete with his stamp and reindeer treat of choice. He was SO excited and animated about it all that Chris grabbed the camera....

Telling mommy just what to write

Waving hello to Santa....

Waiting for Santa to write back..

"Did you hear the jingle bells?!"

"Oh, there he is!"

"That letter is to me! I am Ben!"

Can I crawl in the computer?!