Norah's Christmas Program

Norah had her Christmas program for preschool the week before Christmas.  She was sooooo excited, we had a weekly countdown until the big night.  Norah was asking daily "how many more days until my program?", weeks before. :)  So, once the big night arrived, she was ready to go!  We had been practicing her songs and she couldn't wait!  We got her all dropped off and then went in to find our seats.  Norah came in, and sang her songs so well (she loves being up on stage and singing!), then the preschoolers went and sat down, and we listed to a story read up front, then there were a few more worship songs for everyone to sing, and that was it.  When the program was over, we then enjoyed some treats in the lobby.  It was a fun night celebrating Norah's final preschool program!

Heading to her spot

Everyone lined up

Waiting to start

Still waiting :)

Singing away!

A few actions :)

Waiting to sit down :)

After the show!

Downtown Fun

We are so fortunate to have a downtown community that provides wonderful fun (and free!) events for kids/families around Christmas.  Everything happens on Thursdays and Saturdays.  The first Thursday in December, we loaded up and headed downtown to the festivities.  We were going to start with the trolly ride and then see if we had time for Santa.  We got downtown a little after 6:00 and waited in line until about 6:45 or 7:00 until we got on the trolley (good thing it went through the library this year!)  While we were in line, we got to see Olaf and the Sven!  After the trolly, we quickly walked down to Santa's shop to see if it was still open.  We kind of snuck in the end of the line, as it was almost 7:40 and they closed at 8:00.  We waited for just a little bit and then got to see Santa.  Kyler and Norah were excited and told him what they wanted, whereas Grace on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with him and was bolting out of the picture. :)  As soon as they were done, they went out by going down the slide and we headed home!  It was a fun evening!

Fun with Sven and Olaf!

Outside of Santa's house

Picture with Santa

Santa trying to get Grace to take a picture :)

Telling Santa what they want

Heading out the slide!

The next Thursday evening, we headed downtown again, this time to see the live nativity.  The kids enjoyed looking at all the animals they had there and seeing actual people role playing the nativity scene.  After that, we walked downtown a bit, and then headed for home.

The family at the nativity

Grace checking out the sheep

They were kind of afraid of us :)

Kyler saying hi

Tooth #2!

Kyler lost his second bottom tooth right at the beginning of December, so now he has a big hole in the bottom of his mouth!  :)

The Snowflake Express 2015

The kids really wanted to ride the snowflake express again this year.  So, we found out when tickets went on sale, and Erik went and got in line about a half hour before they went on sale…..and he didn't get to the front of the line for almost an hour, crazy!  Anyways, we got tickets for the noon train, and the kids were so excited!  We also got tickets for both sets of grandparents so they could ride too as they all came last year.  We arrived about 11:30 and got in line to get on the train.  We were actually the first people in the car so we had our pick of seats!  We all took a seat and waited for the ride to start!  I wish the snow from the week before would have stuck around, but it had been too warm. :(  We still had fun anyways though, and enjoyed the scenery.  The big kids were excited to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, Grace wasn't so sure though.  They were also really excited to get their bell.  Here are some pictures from our ride!

All the grandparents

With Uncle Ben

Our side of the aisle :)

Waiting to ride

Looking for Santa

He's here!

Talking to Mrs. Claus

Holding her punched ticket

By the train

Our Fireplace

I was so excited that the house we bought had a fireplace.  That was one thing kind of on the "wish list" when we were looking.  The problem with this one was, when we moved in there was no mantel.  So I told Erik he had until the end of November to build me a mantel. :)  He definitely didn't disappoint, and the mantel was hung long before that!  I was so excited to decorate it and hang up our stockings that have just laid under our tree in the past.

Tree Decorating

We put up and decorated our tree the Monday after Thanksgiving.  The kids were all excited to get it in the house and start decorating!  I was pretty excited too since we have more room this year and we were able to put up our tree in front of our three big windows. :)  It was fun watching Grace try to decorate the tree (she still needed a little help), as this was the first year she could really participate and understand what is going on.  Kyler and Norah were so excited to find all of their ornaments and put them on the tree.  Grace loved to push Kyler's ornament that plays "Little Drummer Boy" and Norah's Elsa ornament that sings "Let It Go".

Erik helping Grace

Putting her "wee" ornament on :)  (It's the one she picked out for this year)

Kyler decorating

Norah putting some ornaments on

All done! (excuse the angel, the tree was too tall) :)

Kids with the tree :)