MORE Reindeer Games

 We did the Christmas pageant AGAIN at a local nursing home.  After a week and a half with no practice all I can say is that it went...well...the kids were cute...honestly, it was a hot mess.  BUT...the residents thoroughly enjoyed it as did many folks from our church who hadn't had a chance to see it.  They didn't know how great it had been previously so had nothing to compare it to.  This is what happens when I choose not to stress about something.  Just sayin'.  It was all fine in the end and everyone had a good time and enjoyed themselves.

 A week ago, we went to Epcot and Hollywood Studios for the day.  It was big fun!  Above is mine and Joe's pictures from the Spaceship Earth ride.  Amanda, Landon, and Dawson spent most of the day with us while we were at Epcot.  We had a fun day enjoying a few rides and the Christmas decorations in the countries.  Then it was on to Hollywood Studios for the big light show.  It did not disappoint!

 After starting off our week at Epcot, we were mostly home for the rest of the week.  I had lots of reindeer games to work on and did some baking and stuff like that.  I also had time for a fun bike ride with Joe and I finished the 1000 piece puzzle that tried to kick my butt.  it was a hard puzzle but sooo fun!

 Sunday night we drove around and looked at lights.  We have some great light displays around here!

 I'll leave you with a sweet picture of Smiley Grace and some of my favorite ornaments and decorations...

Christmas pageant in the park You're Here

Fala Lollies Elf Commercial

Fala-Lollies

 The show last weekend was wonderful, I recommend watching some of the video clips.  :0)  Hannah played Humbetty...a humbug living on Ebenezer Spruce.  Grace sang "Run, Run Rudolph," as a solo and totally rocked it!  She was also, Dollar Tree, the third tree that visits Ebenezer.  Joe played an Elf (see pic below) and also recited Linus' monologue from Charlie Brown Christmas from the book of Luke.  I have that video clip already on the blog, it's poor video but you can hear him clearly.  It was a fun show, enjoy the pictures!

More Reindeer Games

 Here are some pictures from some of our Reindeer Games this month.  We went to the annual Christmas Walk this year and really enjoyed it.  The last few years the kids have performed there and we haven't been able to just walk around and be spectators.  I love seeing them perform but was happy to have the break this year.

 It wasn't long before the girls went off with some friends and Ollie and I were hanging out with Jake and Joe.  We went to the Singing Christmas Tree and sat in the bleachers while Joe and Jake ran all over the place and met up with some friends and ran all over the place some more.  Then, we handed them off to Julie and Mike (Jake's parents) and took a walk ourselves, so it turned out to be a mini date night for Ollie and I.

 The next day Grace and I went to the Christmas parade.  Hannah was at a birthday party and Joe decided to stay home so it was just the two of us and we had a fabulous time.  I treated her to the best cup of hot chocolate in Florida and I had a caramel latte and we watched the parade.

 I've made some progress on this Christmas puzzle but not much...it's one of 5 that I have so I need to get moving if I'm going to do them all at least once this year.  I'm loving this one though...I should've added a picture of the box and what it's supposed to look like....oops.

 A couple of weeks ago we spent a morning at Santa's Tree Farm.  Above, Joe is trying to trick the big goat with an empty hand, while feeding the baby goat.  The bounce pillow was a huge hit!  It's like a giant bounce house but without the "house."  It looked like a lot of fun!

 We rode the hayride, the boys rode the reindeer ride, we roasted hotdogs, and marshmallows and made s'mores.  It was a fun morning!

 I made all of these snowflakes last year while I was stuck in my chair.  They were from a snowflake book...it tells you just where to cut and fold.  I love these snowflakes, especially at night in the tree's glow.

 I have an ornament on my tree that looks similar to the one below that Joe made in preschool.  Landon just loved it so I decided to help him make one for his tree.  Above, is him painting the handprints and below is the finished product.  It turned out so cute!

 I also got inspired early this year and made this year's photo ornaments.  I got smart and did a background and then photocopied it and used it for multiple ornaments.  I always do one for us, and I've done one for Amanda the last few years, and this year I did one of Julie's kids too.  I'd love to do these for all of my friends but there isn't enough time (sorry!).  Maybe next year...I'll have to start early collecting pictures.  :0)

 And...we made Christmas cookies...lots and lots of them!