Christmas Time!

We have been busy at work doing all the fun things you get to do during the Christmas season. The tree day countdown is at 9. Ryan and Emma have enjoyed crossing the days off each night as well as anything we did that day. Only a few more things to do at home. The rest is at Nana's house for the actual Christmas.

Both Ryan and Emma have been very excited for the gifts they have bought or made us and each other. The day Ryan came home from the Santa Shop at school, he wanted everyone to open their gifts NOW! He couldn't resist telling me what he bought me. I was just proud that he used his own money! I took Emma to the store to get gifts for her brothers and Kris. She had a really hard time deciding, but I think it was hard not to think of herself! All of the gifts had to be locked up in my old Dove cabinet to avoid everything being opened!

Emma and I went on a baking bonanza last week. We backed Chocolate Chip Pound Cakes, Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, Peanut Butter Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Oatmeal Scotchies. We bagged everything up and delivered the goodies to all our neighbors. It was so nice to have a house smelling good and getting a few treats of our own. After that we baked sugar cookies to decorate at our St. Nick Night party.

We had a few friends over for St. Nick Night with their kids. 8 adults, 9 kids. Small House. Nuff said! We had a great time. The kids are finally getting old enough to entertain themselves without needing too much involvement on our part which we all cherished! My kids of course, just love the decorating the cookies.

My mom was out the previous weekend to watch our kids while we went to a wedding for our neighbors. We looked pretty spiffy if you ask me! Plus we had a great time - even though we didn't know anyone else there! We took full advantage spending some time out at the bar between the wedding and reception and afterwards. Being totally exhausted the next day made us remember why we don't do it too often! The kids enjoyed Nana being here. They made a Christmas link chain and did some great dances! They didn't want her to leave!

We went to the Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo last weekend. It was bitterly cold, but a beautiful clear and not windy night. We saw so many lights and a few animals to go along with it. I think Kris and I enjoy it more than they do though!