Happy New Year!!

 

{we did not do Christmas cards this year.. so we are sending these out!}

 

Happy 2013 to you and yours! We hope it is amazing!! :)

 

 

Santa Claus is coming to town..

Now that Chris is back in town, we are slowly but surely getting into the Christmas spirit. Luckily, I finished ALL shopping before Thanksgiving!! What a feat! I am SO glad that I did it though. It has taken all the pressure out of the holidays and we are really just enjoying it! No more stressing about finding the perfect gifts!! (and yes, I stress about this.. I LOVE gift giving and want to always make sure that it’s perfect!!)

Last weekend, we took the kids to Starry Nights at My Big Backyard. We hadn't been before and heard that it was super fun. We typically go to the Enchanted Forest every year and wanted to try something else out, so we gave it a shot. It was extremely fun! They had blowers blowing “snow” everywhere, which the kids LOVED! The entire backyard area was lit up in Christmas lights and they had tons of crafts and activities to keep the kiddos busy. We loved it!! Definitely a good switch from Enchanted Forest. (although, that is definitely still a family fave!) :)

       

SOOOO excited!!!

       

Gray wasn’t sure what to make of the “snow”

       

E enjoyed his cotton candy! (they also had a s’more station by the fire pits!!)

       

making play dough ornaments

    

More SNOW!!!

      

All the little “play houses” were lit up for Christmas!

      

life sized Light Brite! (my children had NO idea was a Light Brite was!! SO deprived, I tell ya!)

      

      

      

Snowball fight in the “Snow globe”!!

Who doesn’t love to hula hoop in the snow??!

      

Group shot … best we could get! ha!

    

Again, a fail! ha! I do love those sweet faces though!!! :)

      

Worm tunnels!!!

  

I am also gradually getting all the Christmas décor put together! I am only putting about 1/3 of the décor out this year, due to the littlest Stickles man and his inquisitive hands! ;)

Tree is done! LOVE my burlap ribbon this year!!!

      

Pay no mind to the nameless stocking.. we all know it’s Gray’s! ;)

Same ole tree skirt! Still love it!

      

2013 ornaments.. E got Darth Maul, Huck got a … well, Huck!..

      

G got a Curious George (very fitting!), and LK got Mary Poppins. (she doesn’t know it, but she’s going to see Mary Poppins at the Orpheum for her birthday!)

Our fabulous Disneyworld ornament is also gracing the tree this year to mark our incredible family vacation! LOVE IT!!

It has also marked the season of Christmas school programs! So far, Ethan has had his and LK’s is later this week. I literally feel like a taxi driver most days shuffling back and forth to different schools for activities with different kids! (so worth it though!)

Look at the smirk!

      

E did a great job!!!

  

E and his teacher, Mrs. Sharon. He absolutely loves her!!

I hope everyone is enjoying all the holiday fun and cheer! We are SO ready for Santa!!!