Sophie brought home a flyer from school about a Christmas party at the First Nazarene Church, which happens to be in our neighborhood. Since we had the day free and it was so nearby, we decided to check it out and WOW!! Nothing against ward parties, but this church did an amazing job and our kids had the best time. I think we spent 2-3 hours bouncing around all the activities. They had a Whoville carnival with a bounce house, a Polar Express snack station, a snowball fight room, an ornament craft, Photos with Santa, and a Nativity display - it was like 5 parties in one! We will probably attend every year that we continue to be invited.
Sophie and Emery had a sleepover the night before so she was with our family for the party
There was a cute sled set up in the entry for photos
Playing carnival games and riding the little train through a hallway decorated with lights
Cookies and Cocoa
Christmas photo booth
The best part of the event was a snowball fight room, complete with a milk jug igloo to hide in. I think the kids played in here for almost an hour!
Christmas Eve and Christmas are always such exciting days with kids. Luckily we had lots of activities to help pass the time as we counted down the hours until Santa arrived. We also had the Fish fam, Derek's family, and GG grandma arrive, which added to the fun (and noise)! It was so good to be together, even if it meant running the dishwasher three times a day.
On Christmas Day we went down to get the kids from the playroom, and found that they had already snuck upstairs to check out what Santa had brought. Stinkers! I guess that's Santa's fault though, because he gave them headlamps in their stocking which was basically an invitation to go snooping around in the early morning hours. They were thrilled with the gifts and each received a letter from Santa about their main present that was waiting at home because Santa knew it would be too big to fit in our suitcases. Maybe he is a smart guy after all!
Decorating gingerbread houses. Check out Davey in that top photo - he just couldn't help himself!
Making cookies for Santa - It's always a tricky getting the spritz dough gun to work properly, but Uncle Brodie had the magic touch that day!
Playing Christmas bingo before bedtime
The cookies the kids made earlier were very popular. It's good Grandmari remembered to set some aside for Santa or there wouldn't have been any left!
Reading the Night Before Christmas
GG Grandma arrived with Paco just before bed and the kids snuck in a few snuggles before saying goodnight. Davey especially loves her and jumped right in her lap.
After the kids were in bed, the adults played a new game the Fish Fam taught everyone. You put bills down all over the table and then roll a soda can at the targets. If it stops on a bill, you get to keep it. The girls were clearly superior at this game!
Santa came! His bag must have been much lighter after leaving these full stockings and extra surprises for our family.
Four very happy kids on Christmas morning
After Santa gifts we had breakfast, and then opened the family presents under the tree. These kids sure were spoiled this year, and loved every minute of it.
Our code names theme for the year was breakfast cereals. I had a fun time helping to make all the name labels. This year I was Honey Bunches of Oats :)
We started our Christmas travels on December 12th this year - so early! That didn't leave us with much time at home for holiday activities, but we did fit in our visit to Maxwell's, walking down Candy Cane Lane, and driving around to look at lights in our neighborhood a few times. The Botanical Gardens was on our list, but we ran out of time and will have to try to visit next year.
We were able to spend a long weekend in Dallas before flying to Seattle. With covid on the rise, we didn't venture out to see friends or do anything in the city, but the kids were happy to see grandparents, and Liz surprised us by staying for a night as well! We opened some presents, celebrated Dave's birthday with a yummy dinner and cake, and played lots of games.
Griffin loved pulling down the ornaments so he could taste them
The children's program at the Discovery Center returned for the first time since March! It's not as good as before, but we are glad it's happening again. They boys had fun listening to a story and building some things out of pip cleaners.
Davey met Santa at preschool and asked for Legos, which is not what he actually wrote in his letter to Santa. Oops.
I went out to lunch with friends to celebrate Candice's birthday early since we were leaving town. She actually has the same birthday as Dave!)
Charlie found what he would buy if he won $1000 dollars
The kids and I did an art day on Sunday afternoon to make some pictures to mail to Aunt Liz
I was able to find my favorite house again this year! It's in a different neighborhood that I'm not very familiar with. I just think their trees look amazing!
We met our friends at Candy Cane lane and walked along it with them. Santa was not out on the curb to see us this year, but the kids still enjoyed the lights and all the decorations.
This was the gift we gave out to neighbors and friends this year
Licorice made the drive between Amarillo and Dallas a little less sad for Griffin. He was very red and sticky by the end.
Charlie is always happy to hang out with someone on the couch
Bedtime snuggles with grandma
Enjoying a nice nap with daddy
Puzzling with Papa
We left Diamond at grandma's house while we were in Seattle. We were a little surprised that Diamond was still around to see another Christmas. This is the fish that just keeps on living!
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