Christmas Church party

E went to our church’s Christmas party that is held for the kiddies. They had Jingle John again, but I think he used a different name this year. He brings in animals and again this year the big finale was a reindeer.

since we didn’t do Christmas at T’s parents on Christmas Eve as usual this year, I wanted to go to Christmas Eve service.

The cousins were going to be the little pageant part of the service as kings, so we asked if there would be a spot for Ethan. He was a king with his cousins, so actually there were 4 kings in our service! The pageant was more of a skit that the older kids put on and the little kids were the nativity part.

I loved how the boys were kneeling on one knee and you could tell how they were getting uncomfortable and off balance with it. I asked why he didn’t switch off on the knees and he said they weren’t allowed and shouldn’t move. I love my ‘by the rules’ kid. 

Visit with Santa

We went to see Santa at the courthouse this year. E was excited to see Mrs.Claus there, too!

 

we picked a perfect time to go – no line! a family was just finishing up on taking pictures with them. We didn’t go until Sat. before Christmas, so maybe that was why. I liked that we could take our own pictures and not have to pay an outrageous amount.

and i love the nativity on the courthouse lawn.. 

and our great family joke/memory – Jesus is solid!

Ready for the Holidays & Trent’s Cup party

I love decorating up the house for Christmas.

 

We had a little snow storm on Sunday night that closed school on Monday. Ethan’s class party was planned for Thursday and I chose to donate candy for the party. I then decided to make up treat bags and wouldn’t you know that I couldn’t find any treat bags on Wed. night.

I just made up some on my own using ziploc baggies and printed up little tags to put inside. They made E happy to see his name on them.

on Tuesday T got a chance to see the Stanley Cup! He almost wasn’t able to find a substitute for that evening’s events, but he did.

He got to meet Denis Sevard, former coach of the Blackhawks…

Get his picture with the Cup

picture with the Cup chaperone guy…

    

Kiss the Stanley Cup!

 

Take an upclose pic of Dennis’ ring…

then even wear his ring!

His buddy Dave was the one invited to the Comcast party and he could bring 3 friends.

other buddy Sean…

He saw this guy and asked to take a pic with him, he said, “my wife doesn’t know anything about this hockey stuff, but she knows furniture and commercials!”

 

it is the Walter E Smithe brother - Tim

I am now realizing that this was a BIG deal, like once in a lifetime to just be in the same room with the Stanley Cup.

Fun in the snow

E was excited to get to play in the snow and drag out the snowpants and boots for the first time this winter.

 

This was from Sat. 12/11 we then received about 6-7 inches on Sun and they called off school on Monday.

He really wanted to make a snowman but he snow really wasn’t good packing snow. Daddy sure helped him out, though!

    

Ethan liked making the cute little snowman.

I got our dog this dog pillow I love that he has been laying on it by the back door. It is nice that it unzips so I can wash it easily.

We Gave Thanks

We gave Thanks this year with our families in town.

I saw this appetizer turkey on a blog and wanted to try to make the “Fruit Gobbler”.

 

I started it all on Thursday morning and it took me hour to complete. I should have cut up the cheese the night before for the kabobs.

You just had to use the bamboo skewers to attach the pear to the honeydew melon. The hardest part was probably getting the gobbler to stick in since it was a small piece.

I made a pumpkin bundt cake for the Trump family gathering, and just iced it on Thursday morning. This was my first ever bundt cake and I thought it was pretty good, but I love anything pumpkin.  We went to my parents around noon and I baked my corn casserole there.

  Matt trying out a “feather”

Mom slicing up the turkey and finishing things up.

Our buffet spread

Family posed pics that we took for Christmas cards, but quality isn’t good. I have decided I am skipping doing cards this year, will save me much time & $$.

Our posed set timer shot at dinner table of the whole family... that I only cared about.  You can only see lil Matt’s one eye. 

My favorite pumpkin pie

Dessert time and E had my mom’s pineapple upside down cake and liked it!

I started baking the 2nd corn casserole and a green been casserole to take to T’s.

my Thanksgiving food plate….yummm!

Timer set for whole family shot at dinner table….

We had a nice Thanksgiving and plenty of leftovers, which are my favorite! I had 3 more mini Thanksgivings! E likes little turkey bun sandwiches, but he was sick of them by the 2nd day.