Christmas

 Our Christmas Eve nights are getting later and later as the kids get older.  They always try to stay awake to catch Santa in the act.  We don't get everything out until they are sound asleep.

 Despite staying up late, they are always up early Christmas morning.  It takes every ounce of self control for them to wait until we are up to start opening presents! This year they sent Evelyn in to wake us up.

 It's so much fun to watch their reactions as they open their presents.

 The one thing Audrey kept asking for this year!

 The one thing Carter kept asking for!

 Grandma and Grandpa got the kids cowboy boots.

 Time for a check up

 Evelyn continues to be puppy obsessed.  She got the furreal walking dog and it was love at first sight.

 The rest of the day was spent putting everything together and playing with all their new toys.

 Chuck even got the girls new doll house together.  We put it in Audrey's room for now.

Their favorite room is the dance studio.  The piano plays music when you press the keys.

 Dancing to the music

Wisconsin Christmas

The weekend before Christmas we went up to Wisconsin to visit with family.  My mom hosted dinner for those that could make it.  The kids had fun at their table.

 The girls found my sister's and my old Barbies and clothes.  They had a lot of fun playing with all of it.

 They were content for quite some time.

 Leo and Carter were buds since Carter was a baby.

 Time for presents and modeling Tita Angela's ski helmet.

 Her own Barbie with a puppy!

 Carter teaching the girls how to play spoons

 Princess Legos!

 Doc McStuffins giving Grandma Debbie a check up

 Got a pic of all three before heading back to Tita Angela and Uncle Brett's house

 Great Grandma Aprahamian gave Audrey a Rainbow Loom.  Madison taught her how to use it.  I don't even know how many bracelets she made that day.

 He promised he will never get too old for Tita cuddles.

The typical Evelyn expression

Spirit week

 The week before winter break was spirit week.  Monday was snowman day and even Ernie got into the fun.  He made them a snowman breakfast and held a sign that said, Happy snowman day!

 My 2 snowmen.  The thing that was awesome about this was I didn't have to buy a thing!  The kids each had long sleeve white shirts.  I had the felt left over from another craft to make the coal buttons.  Audrey had the leggings and skirt already and Carter wore his tae kwon do pants.  They wore their scarves and the top hats were left over from Audrey's birthday party from last year.

 Tuesday was wear your favorite holiday hat/headband.

 We had fun with mismatch day some called it wacky Wednesday.  Audrey had fun picking it all out but wasn't too happy when she got home.  I guess the other kids didn't get as into it as we did.  She came home and told me she looked ridiculous!

 The owners of the local restaurant, Double A's hosted Dunlap Grade night Wednesday night.  Their son is in Carter's grade so they do a lot for the school.  A portion of the proceeds from that night went to the school and they even had Santa come and visit with the kids.  Evelyn was still too scared to get her picture with Santa.

 Thursday was pajama day for K-2nd grade and Grinch day for 3rd-5th.  I forgot to take a picture of the kids before they got on the bus.  K-2nd had Polar Express day which is why they got to wear their pajamas.  Since Evelyn was in school that morning I got to go and help out.  The students got tickets that they took with them to each classroom to get punched.  Each classroom was a different "car."  I helped out in the cookie decorating car.  After lunch they got to watch the movie.  

Friday was red and green day.  Evelyn had to be included in this picture :)  She even found a red headband to put on for the picture.

Tis the season

 In December our Elf Ernie comes back from the North Pole.  The kids love finding where he is every morning and seeing if he got into any trouble.  We don't go crazy with our elf like some families do.  There are nights we are lucky if we even remember to move him!  This particular night was a weekend so we had time to have some fun with him.

 The beginning of December also brings St. Nick!  The kids were most excited to find Olaf marshmallows on a stick. Too bad they didn't taste as good as they looked.

 Our household has yet to escape the bugs that come with December. :(  This year it started with Audrey.  Evelyn was concerned and kept feeling her forehead and covering her up with a blanket.  The funniest was watching her impression of her throwing up.

As much as I tried to keep Evelyn away from Audrey she ended up sick.  This time it was Audrey tucking Evelyn in.  She also brought her her babies, sippy cup and bucket.  Unfortunetely, it was the weekend I was supposed to take Carter & Audrey to the Nutcracker.  I cancelled the baby sitter because I didn't want her to get sick and Chuck was on call.

 I tried to give away the tickets.  By then everyone pretty much already had tickets so we didn't have any takers.  Chuck got home and we decided to chance it and I took them.  I had my phone on vibrate in my hand the whole time in case Chuck got called in and we had to leave.

 Luckily, Chuck only had to handle phone calls and we were able to stay.  I even stopped for a sweet treat on our way home.  It was a great afternoon with these two munchkins.

Fired Up

 The Peoria Medical Society Alliance (PMSA) play group went to Fired Up to paint ornaments. 

 The staff read the kids The Night Before Christmas.  Then, they got to pick out their ornaments and the glaze they wanted to use.  Evelyn picked a snowflake and a light blue glaze with glitter in it.  She painted until it was completely covered.  She also brought little Stitch along to supervise.

 Our wonderful hostess also brought yummy treats and drinks for everyone.  Only 4 kiddos made it due to others getting sick, etc but it was still fun.

Our attempt at a group shot.

CCP Holiday Party

 The Saturday after Thanksgiving the Country Club of Peoria had the annual Kid's Holiday Party.

 We always start with a picture with Santa and his reindeer.  Evelyn was scared of Santa so she sat on Audrey's lap.

 The crafts are where we spend a lot of our time.

 A lot of times we just take the kits home so we can move on.

 The ornaments were one of those take home crafts this year.

 They always have a fabulous buffet set up for lunch.

 After lunch it was time to decorate gingerbread cookies.

Second attempt at a picture of the three of them.  At least Evelyn was smiling in this one. 

 The giant gingerbread house decorating is always saved for last.  They get covered in icing every time!  This year we didn't make it there until the very end so they had it all to themselves.

One last attempt before going home.