Gearing Up

We've been busy these days gearing up for the holidays. Our weekends are filled with parties, family and friends.

This might be the last post for a few weeks for me here. We have our annual holiday party at our house next weekend and I have nothing really ready for it yet. I also picked up a shift at work this week so my "free" time is quite limited. Whatever time I have it'll be spent baking, cooking, and cleaning for the party.  After the party, we have about 5 days until Christmas. Wrapping presents hasn't begun yet so that'll be a big chore after next weekend. And I would like to take the kids to see some lights in the area at some point before then too. The list this time of year just never ends. Throw into the mix the fact that all of us have been sick with some sort of cold or something for the past 10 days as well. I just want it out of here very soon!

Anyways, in preparation, we've done a few things....

Garden Factory

We go every year for Christmas time. We do the rides, buy poinsettias and see Santa. The latter of the 3 didn't happen this year because my kids have zero interest in seeing the big man. ZERO.

Ready to shop

Daddy and Avery on the slide!

Mommy and Avery on the slide

This is my favorite picture we've taken recently. I have no idea what Avery is doing-is she protecting her little sister or trying to beat the crap out of her? Hmmmm

Avery and Cassie on the train

Ferris wheel!

Cassie has these cute holiday outfits that my Dad bought her but she refuses to wear them for some reason. Probably because all she wears lately are dresses-that's it! But somehow I convinced her to wear it and it's so stinkin' cute!

The girls and I went into the light show there. It was Cassandra's first time joining us. As soon as it was over, she screamed "AGAIN!" I think she liked it!

Houses

My Dad and Colleen brought the girls some gingerbread houses last week and they were chomping at the bit to do them. We assembled them on Friday night and let them dry overnight. Then last Saturday they decorated! They really enjoyed it this year! Of course they ate more candy than you can imagine, but I guess that's part of it right?! So you're missing a few jewels on your roof! It's all good!

Avery's house

Cassie's house

Tree

We had everyone and anyone with us to get our tree this year. Typically Gabe's Dad takes us so that we can use their van to haul it home. My Mom had slept over Saturday night, so she came with us. And Gabe's Mom came along too. So we had quite the party there to pick out our tree. And again, I think this tree was the first one we looked at, which tends to happen almost every year. We always have to take it to the candy cane to make sure it's big enough!

Typically I take a lot more photos at the tree place. They have a living nativity, etc. But things got cut short this year when a donkey decided to bite the living hell chomp on Cassandra's hand. The biting happened as soon as she went up to the animals so we didn't stay long at all.

After Cassandra's nap, we did the lights on the tree and started hanging ornaments. The kids really enjoyed it!

Voila!

If I don't make it back on here, I wish you all a very happy holiday! Enjoy the time spent with family and friends, as that's what really matters. And take a step back and enjoy the magic of it all. It's the most wonderful time of year!!