Happy New Year!

More Christmas

Last Christmas post! We celebrated with my family Christmas afternoon with soup, tons of cookies, gifts and good times! 

Slow cooker Corn and Red Pepper Chowder- This soup was good but definitely needs some additions! I opted for scallions, pepper and pepper jack cheese. 

Christmas Morning

Owen woke up first on Christmas and we had to wait a bit for Paige to get up (much to his chagrin) but it gave me some time to bake the scones I had made the day before and prep the soup for the slow cooker (more on that in the next post). The kids were really appreciative of everything they got and I'm pretty sure more than half the time Paige opened something (with both families) she announced that it was something she had been wanting! So cute! Most notable was when she opened a cowgirl dress-up outfit and said, "Finally! A badge!" Owen had asked Santa for a Nerf gun but had gotten one the day before from Pat's family. He kept wondering if Santa would bring another one or know that he had gotten one. We assured him that Santa knows just the right thing to bring everyone.

I made the kids stop for this poorly lighted photo before they ran down the stairs.

Stockings!

Oranges! A joke book!

Paige really liked Owen's giant coloring book so he got her one for Christmas!

Christmas

Back to Christmas Eve. We saw the trains in the morning (previous post), we went to church at 4 (where we sat next to a very friendly man who was extremely interested in the Where's Waldo book we had with us...) then Pat's family came over around dinner time (and brought a fantastic lasagna!). We ate dinner and exchanged Christmas presents and played with Lego's until it was time to say goodbye. The kids were so tired but we made time to put out cookies, milk and carrots for Santa and his reindeer. 

Holiday Fun

My mom's work puts on a great holiday display with activities every December and I always intend to take the kids but I never do! We finally made it this year with Jamie! Her work set up a life-size nature-themed Candyland game board for people to play on. It was a little confusing at first but Paige ended up doing it a bunch of times and loved the slide at the end. They also made a craft (a S'mornament!) and had some hot chocolate. 

Candyland!

This was part of the Candyland game too

Hot chocolate break.

Owen probably didn't need the binoculars to see the birds but it's way more fun to use them.

Jamie and the kids!

Birthday and Fudge

Here's another holiday tradition! We celebrated my mom's birthday and made a holiday treat -fudge. I wanted to go the classic route and do chocolate fudge and my mom chose a white chocolate Oreo fudge. The one she chose was definitely better! We got to see my parent's new house for the first time too and hang out with some more relatives we don't see enough. 

Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk would be so proud of this picture.

Fudge!

Something is hilarious!

Alex and Paige practicing some piano.

Dinner!

We exchanged Christmas presents too!

Model Trains!

We made it again! This is the fifth year in a row we've visited a local nursery to see their model trains. Paige wasn't so interested in the scavenger hunt this year and spent most of her time in the tunnels. Owen joined her once he had checked everything off the list. I wish I had gotten a picture of Owen in the tunnels too but he spent most of his time racing Paige so it was hard to get one!

(Past visits- 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)

Lights!

A nearby city puts up a fantastic light display for people to come walk through and Pat and I thought tonight would be the perfect night to go. We were wrong. The kids did not think this was the perfect night. Take note of these cute pictures because they do not tell the full story of this night. We had trouble getting out of the house because Owen kept insisting on having a movie night. When we finally got going and calmed Owen down it was Paige's turn to have a breakdown. Sigh. We persevered and had a few moments of fun but we might have to try this again. Or never again:)

Paige's Preschool Party

I know you're wondering how all those snowman crafts turned out. They went really well! I was actually pretty impressed with how different the faces on them were. The kids were interested and I think the difficulty level was just enough to keep them interested. The kids also pinned parts on a snowman, had a ridiculous amount of snack food and were read a story. The parent who provided the story read it in Spanish and I was impressed with how well the kids followed along and answered his questions.

Snack time!

Snowman ornaments!

Snowman Craft

Paige's preschool holiday party is today! I found a craft for the kids to do at the party and wanted Paige to test it out for me the other day. I thought she did a great job and I'm hoping that it's a sign that the other kids will be able to handle it just as well:) 

Holiday Recital

The last event of our weekend was Paige's holiday dance recital. She was somehow both calm and excited beforehand. Her class tap-danced to "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" (click the song to see a video!) and it was as adorable as you can imagine. She even sang along while she danced and impressed me with how well she knew the moves. 

I asked Paige to pose before we left

They don't look very in sync here... but it seemed like they were during the performance!

The dancer after her performance:)

Pat brought Owen right from his soccer game

More Partying

Our other two parties on Saturday were birthday celebrations for a one year old and a seven year old. It was hard work but we managed to get through the day hanging out with some of our favorite people and eating fantastic food.

Playgroup kids!

Owen and Stella (see more of their cuteness here)

We're just as cute, right?

Victor and Owen in their matching shoes and coats (see more of their cuteness here)

Beyblades party!

The kids singing happy birthday

Holiday Work Party!

Pat's work party started off a busy (but wonderful) Saturday that involved a total of three parties and a soccer game (for me and Pat this time!). It was at a new location this year but the elements were the same-breakfast, games, Santa. It's a formula that works. The food was good and the kids had fun. Also, both kids willingly sat on Santa's lap! He asked them what they wanted for Christmas and Paige surprisingly announced "a stuffed animal Dumbo." We were shocked but found out later she had seen one in the bin of toys they were handing things out from. I think maybe she blanked when he asked and said the first thing she saw:) It worked out though because she actually does love it a lot!

Owen willingly sat with Santa but I had to steal this hug!

Santa!

Dumbo!

Pat was pretending to warm his hands by the fake fire + Owen was striking a funny pose = Photography gold.