The easy road

This is how my brother and sister-in-law keep their new puppy busy while they get things done around the house:

Do you believe?

Yesterday, for the third year in a row, we rode on the Santa train, the Polar Express.  This year we had a group at least 30 strong.  We went out to dinner afterwards at the Old Spaghetti Factory.  We were quite the sight, all of us in our pajamas mingling with people who, by the way they were dressed, I'm sure had just come from the Nutcracker ballet.  And to end the evening, we drove around town and visited a few highly decorated streets.

Here are the kids with their tickets to the North Pole.

Lauren was a few seats down from us, having a great time with her friends.

Here they are, best buds, Kove and Lauren.

Here's Owen receiving his sleigh bell from Santa.

Sadly, the best picture of the four of us!

Sister and brother climbing the crates in front of the train station.

Kove and Lauren enjoying a tunnel of Christmas lights.

Do you see what I'm telling you?

Lauren and I were laying on the couch chatting the other day and she noticed our scented diffuser on the mantel.  She asked it she could play with it and I told her that if she got the oil in her eyes it would burn and she might never see again.  I proceeded to tell her that some people were born not being able to see.  She asked "Never ever?"  And when I told her no, never ever, she incredulously asked "Even on Wednesday's and Saturday's??"

So you think you can dance

Owen loves this remote control Caterpillar skip loader Adam got him a couple months ago.  For some reason that I find odd it has a button that plays a song.  I guess, you know, for when you're hard at work on that construction site and feel the need to bust a move.

Good enough to eat

We decorated out first ever gingerbread house tonight.  I took the advice of a girlfriend of mine and put the house together a couple days ago, so all the kids had to do tonight was put on a pound of candy.  We had so much fun, I think we'll make it a yearly project.  But with four designers, there were a few disagreements, so maybe next year we'll go for separate cabins instead of one big house!

Here's Daddy, piping the roof with fresh icing.

They couldn't wait to get started.

Daddy putting some icicles on the roof.

So intrigued.

Mama got in on the decorating action, too.

Lauren was being so meticulous about this front window.

We even added a gingerbread family.

Take cover

I bought Lauren an umbrella over the summer, and now that the rain is finally here, she's been asking for it.  I couldn't find where I had stashed it, but luckily Noni had bought her one, too, so I picked up that one today.  By the time we got home from school the rain had stopped, unfortunately.  I told her if she was very careful she could play with it in the house, since she was giddy with anticipation.  When I came back to the living room after laying Owen down for his nap this is what I found.

It's tradition

We went to our annual Christmas brunch today with a group of my friends from high school and our families.  I think this is at least our 11th year, maybe longer.  We were there for over five hours, so I guess that means we were all having a great time!

Sammie was so excited about the chocolate fountain.

Laura had plenty of playdough to keep the kids busy for hours!

Everyone opening presents, enjoying a nice warm fire on a COLD rainy day.

Owen and Daddy playing with the new race track and cars.

Michelle, Amber, Laura, and me

Saturday morning dress up

Surprise!

Last Sunday Adam and I went to a surprise birthday party for my friend Shelly.  Her birthday is in the middle of December, and when she walked in and saw everyone she just kept repeating, "But it's still November!"

Cass, me, and Shel

Dave telling everyone a tall tale, I'm sure!

Enjoying a night sans kids!

Mmmm!

Fun times

We went to our good friends' annual Christmas cookie exchange last night.  A great time was had by all, once again!

The kids started off the night by decorating Christmas ornaments with glitter glue and pens. Glitter ended up everywhere, as you can imagine!

Here's Lauren, getting ready to play dress up with Sierra's collection.

Owen was manning the BBQ, true to his Daddy's roots.

Lauren and Kove, double trouble!

The kids all got to decorate sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles.

Owen's getting ready to enjoy his masterpiece.

Lauren and I hyped the Santa talk all week, but when it came right down to it, Owen wouldn't sit on the big guy's lap.  He did let him know what toys he was hoping for, and he made sure to say thank you for the gift - a Lightning McQueen coloring book - and candy cane.

Lauren hopped right up on Santa's lap and let him know what was on her wish list this year.  It included the princess doll and horse the girl right before her opened!  She was pleased with what he brought her that evening, though, a Tinkerbell coloring book.

Owen was more than happy to take pictures with Santa, as long as he didn't have to sit with him.

The cookie exchange in process - so yummy!

These two here are so stinking cute together!