Christmas Season fun!

We vowed this year to not jam pack our Christmas season to the point that we were so busy being busy we forgot to enjoy it.  

We managed to do what we wanted and pass on a few other things and It was glorious. 

Preparing for Christmas through decorating is one of those things where I love the way it looks just don't enjoy decorating.  I kind of wish I would just snap my fingers and it would all be done! This year we had some little elves helping us and that made it more fun... being out and about with a two year old during Christmas was super fun! 

Garden ridge is the Christmas Hot Spot!

"Baby Jedus"

She loved this Santa... he would go down into the chimney pretty slow and then quickly pop out the top.  She loved it!

My nutcrackers.  My mom has bought me a Nutcracker from the Nutcracker market every year since Matthew and I have been married (two some years).  I have the year written on their bases.  I just love them and I love the tradition... they are very special to me and it warmed my heart to see Paxton enjoying them.  

So proud of their work!

The tree was up and the house was decorated for Christmas before Thanksgiving.  We knew we would have a busy season and like I said before we wanted to enjoy it all so we just decorated early - and I'm glad we did :) 

We didnt get around to taking "official" family photos this year so we attempted to take a few on Thanksgiving that turned out great  - if only we would have had a selfie stick to take one of all of us :) 

Paxton took this one... not bad! 

When I didn't love our photos we took outside I decided to take a few of just the kids in front of the tree for Christmas cards.  This was our first Christmas in the house and just that was a special time and memory.  

Take 1

Take 2

Take 500

Take 502 

The final wining picture and our Christmas card this year! 

Monday of that week my MOPs table had a cookie party and most of us came with our little pre-schoolers and made Christmas cookies.  It was interesting but fun and I learned that kids really really love icing!

Paxton had his first school program of the year that Tuesday.  They had a Christmas program where they sang and did hand motions.  He did SO incredibly well.  He listened, he sang along, did all his little motions.  I was so proud of him and literally could have eaten him up he was so DARN cute! 

My little front row cutie - hence the little part.  Shorty had to stand in the front - I relate little love - momma was always there too! 

Pammie and Opa wouldnt have missed it! 

Little sister was giddy excited! 

Our little Christmas Star!

That same week Paxton had his School Christmas Party  - nothing big and fancy just a sweet little celebration with school friends! Then... Christmas break! 

Sister loves her bub!

That following weekend our town was having a fun Christmas parade and a local church held a "breakfast with Santa".  I wasn't quite sure what to expect but to my surprise the REAL Santa was at the breakfast and was just the sweetest :).  The crowd was small at breakfast which meant a calm environment and lots of time with Santa chatting and discussing Christmas.  It was amazing... especially for Paxton's age because he was all about Santa this year! We went with our friends Sarah and Aaron and their baby Jude (aka Brinlee's favorite baby - you ask her what her baby's name is and 90% of the time its "Baby Jude".   The parade was AWESOME - we ran into one of Paxton's preschool classmates and watched it with them which Pax loved! We didn't get to stay the whole time because Brinlee and I had a tea party to get to but we had so much fun!   

Deep in conversation... 

So Santa was on a little stage and Brinlee felt special I guess so she was waving to everyone - it was precious

No tears all smiles - we love our little town! 

The next week Matthew found our Wii - hooked it up and both him and Paxton immediately started playing bowling.  Paxton decided as much as he liked the Wii game he wanted to go "real" bowling so Matthew took a day off and we spent the whole day making memories bowling for the first time and playing games at Main event.  It was so fun! 

We all got 9 pins the first frame 

Thank goodness for bumpers and this ramp thingy - lifesaver for frustrated kiddos!

We polished off the day with some Christmas shopping and carousel riding.  This was a traumatic experience for Brinlee last time we rode it but not today! She loved it! 

He's the best Dad!