Zoo Lights

We took advantage of the decent weather and headed over to the Zoo for the Lights Before Christmas.  As always, they were beautiful.  At least it wasn't close to 0 degrees, but we did have long johns under our snow pants!!

The hot chocolate was delicous and a nice break from the chill.

New Sledding Hill

We are so lucky to have a cool new sledding hill so close to us.  It has a fire ring to warm up next to. 

On one side of the hill there is a couple of bumps that will get you flying in the air if you hit it just right!

And the kids are big enough to pull their own sleds up the hill this year without assistance!  Yahoo!!

Kindergarten Christmas Program

There was excitement in the air as the kids got ready to put on the kindergarten Christmas program.  The performance was at the church right down the road from school.  Zachary had been practicing every day for the last week in the car on the way to school.

The kids really knew the words to most of the songs and there was not a shy performer in the house!  They belted out every song with enthusiasm. 

All of the kids looked so cute, and they were well behaved - following all of the moves Miss Katie had carefully choreographed to each tune.  The best song award went to "Rocking around the Christmas Tree" for sure.  The kids were wearing glasses, playing air-guitars and air-drums and snapping along to the song.  Zachary had to learn how to snap his fingers so that was a big accomplishment for him.

Today we ended up having a snow day.  It was a bit of a bummer because I was supposed to be picking up Sydney and her best bud Gabby from school today.  Luckily I got in touch with her parents and was able to have her come over to our house anyways.  Gabby is going to be moving to Texas very soon so it was going to be their last playdate here before she moves.

We will definately all miss her!!

A visit to the Big Guy, Santa!

Since we were all dressed up from the xmas party at Aunt Anita's house, we made a trip over to see Santa at Levis Commons.

Sydney had prepared a list this year so that she would not forget anything.  She did pretty good, forgetting only one thing I think.

Zachary was drawing a blank, but he did remember a couple of things. :)  Santa reminded them that they can always just tell Mom & Dad if they remember anything else and we would let him know.



Christmas at the Willfords

This year Aunt Anita was the host of the Willford Christmas party.  As usual is was a whirlwind of people, presents, and Max running around :)  The girls (Sydney and Alexus) got all dressed up in their best holiday dresses for the occasion.  I even got Zachary to dress up a little too.

Just like years past, Austin got to be the target of the kids attack.  He and his girlfriend got to wrestle with the kids - like it or not :)  They had so much fun running around and playing together.

Gage wasn't really into the group photo.  Poor little guy :(

The kids got some really great presents.  We also had a whole bunch of excellent food and snacks!

Christmas Cookie Cooking!

We once again messed up our entire kitchen in the name of Christmas treats!  I was a little less aggressive this year and only picked out a couple of recipes this year.  I think I had actually picked out more, but by the time we baked the first batches of these, I saw we had plenty of cookies and didn't need any more.

 It was so cute - the kids were so interested in being helpers this year.  They put their aprons on and dug right in to their tasks.

We also made chocolate treats for teachers and family.  They started out with milk chocolate, and then we added a layer of white chocolate, and sprinkled candy canes on top.  They turned out sooooo good!

Best gingerbread house ever!!

Our gingerbread building skills just keep getting better each year.  This year's design included figures from our holiday favorite - Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer!

We upgraded our property to include a pretzel fence this year also.

Christmas at the Manor House

The Manor house at Wildwood park was all decorated again for the holidays.  I remember going there when I was a kid, and I still love seeing the rooms just as much.  It's fun to imagine what it would it would be like if the Manor house was my house. 

Our budding scholar

Sydney had a big test to study for, so we found a website that was perfect for the subject she was working on.  She looks so big using the computer!

To be fair, we found Zachary some homework to work on too!

Here comes Santa Claus....

Santa is hitching up his sleigh and bringing lots of presents to all of the good little girls and boys...

Surprise!  Zachary even gets something :)