It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Putting the angel on top of the tree...

I have been so excited for Christmas this year! Like too excited. Our kids are at the perfect age to start talking about Santa Clause and the baby Jesus and all things wonderful!! I decided to put up our tree the week before Thanksgiving after we watched our first Christmas movie of the year and it was A BLAST! Seriously, we were all smiles watching our little ones and partaking in their joy and excitement!

We had the Christmas music going, the fireplace roaring on the TV (hehe), and one by one those tiny little hands put up all of the ornaments. Somehow we are missing some from last year which makes me so sad because one of them was of Evie's little hand print from her first Christmas. I'm hoping it's just in another box somewhere in that disaster of a closet under the stairs... If not, I might seriously cry!

I've officially decided that you haven't lived until you've spent the first few Christmases with your children! Everything is so new and exciting! Their eyes light up in wonder at the view of the tree and they are enthralled when you explain to them how the whole Santa thing works. Austin has been begging to make cookies for Santa every single day so I finally had to make a countdown to Christmas chain with him to help him understand how much longer until Christmas Eve! Evelyne was hilarious as she danced around the room with the tinsel and watched her brother in awe as he put the angel on top of the tree.... Seriously, that's a moment I wish I could bottle up and keep forever.

Our Christmas countdown chain! Both kids ate their weight in chocolate as we made it! I was surprised we had enough left over for the countdown!

Since then, the kids have undecorated and redecorated the tree multiple times and we have lost even more ornaments. It's a good thing most of them came from the dollar store from our first married Christmas together when we were too poor to afford the luxuries of fancy ornaments! Some day we will have nice things (sigh), but for now, we will enjoy the beauty in what we have. And we definitely have a lot! Just look at these pictures and tell me you're not slighty jealous ;).

We also put up our Christmas village that Josh's Grandma LaFeber made for him. I love this little village so much because it reminds me of my own Great Grandma Thayer and her beautiful village she would put up each year. I love watching Austin play with it and seeing the magic come alive in his eyes as he drives the little porcelain car down the snowy streets past the twinkling lights in the windows and the shoppers passing by.....

We also went with Grandma Porter to visit Santa! Josh was sick and couldn't go with us... I'll write more about that later. But for now we are focusing on all things Christmas! The line was long and Evie had a meltdown before we made it to the front, but we survived and nobody cried in Santa's lap this year! Eve just sat there in awe while Austin rambled off under his breath that he wanted a fire truck and he has been doing all sorts of chores to help his Mama out to work for it ;).

Nobody was smiling but nobody cried either which is a win in my book!

Sweet baby still fits in her beautiful Christmas dress from last year! She's such a petite little thing!

Austin playing with the toy guns while we waited in line. He is all boy I tell you!

After pictures, we went to visit the fish in the aquarium! It was such a fun filled day!

We've also indulged in this festive season with some homemade hot cocoa! Austin's Baby Boy Bakery kit came with all these fun recipes to try! The cinnamon white hot chocolate was better than anything I've ever had! Speaking of that, I think we will make some more tonight for family home evening!

I love my little helper so much! These memories in the kitchen are the ones I want to last forever!

Austin took his chocolate chip duty very seriously! Two for me, one for the pot ;)

Adding LOTS of whipped cream!

CHEERS!!!

YUMMY!!!

Then this past weekend we drove to Boulder City to have our little traditional Christmas with Grandma Helm at her house and to ride the Polar Express train! Grandma spoiled us as always, and the train was a big hit with Austin! Eve was a little too young and spent most of the time trying to escape, but somehow we kept it together so Austin could enjoy his special moment :). The train we rode was over 100 years old! I loved watching Austin peer out the window with his new binoculars Grandma gave him and commenting on all the things he saw. He even got to meet the conductor and wear his hat! Oh and did I mention that Santa and Mrs. Clause stopped by?! It was a cold day, but definitely worth it for all those fun little moments :).

Our fun little Christmas at Grandmas!

We love Great Grandma Helm SOOOO much! She is seriously the cutest little lady in the whole world!

Opening presents!

Austin got the big box!

Did I mention she spoils us?!

Grandma opening her gift from us :)

Talking and enjoying each others company

More presents!

Grandma has the funnest little singing decorations all around the house!

All aboard the Polar Express!

Meeting Santa Clause!

One happy little boy :)

Meeting the conductors!

The train gang.

After all that fun in Boulder City, we put the kids down for a nap and got ready for my Company Holiday Party at the Palms Hotel! The kids had a good time with the babysitter while Mom and Dad had a good time enjoying a nice meal with my coworkers!

Good Times!

Would you believe me if I told you we have all been horribly sick during all of this?! Josh was even hospitalized for 4 days just two weeks ago! Yes, I will write about that later. Basically, I have refused to let illness come between us and making all these fun memories with our kids! That sometimes comes at a cost (like meltdowns up the wazoo) but it is always worth it in the end! Our two babies are only going to be this young and innocent once and I don't want to miss out on anything! You only live once, right?! :)