Christmas Donuts

Using our advent calendar I have been trying to implement the 25 days of Christmas.  My idea is to write down a Christmas activity for the boys today every single day.   So far we have had  1) Make a paper chain to countdown to Christmas 2) Buy a Chocolate Advent Calendar 3)   Drink warm hot chocolate and eat candy canes.

4) Find Christmas Donuts

The boys knew exactly where to go to find these.   As always, it was a fun family outing.

Brody & Colt were being cheesy for the camera.

We need napkins

I was gone at a cooking group through our church.  While I was there I received a text message that said "we need napkins".  This was not new information to me.  We have needed napkins for a few months now (we have been using paper towels).  When I arrived home I realized the real reason we needed napkins.  Now we have 3 Snowman napkin holders in our home.  

Brad took all 3 boys to the Home Depot workshop to build this adorable project.  And although the Kids workshop is recommended for kids between the ages of 5 - 12 we were able to get all 3 of our boys, including our 21 month old in on the action.  (personally, I think 3 - 6 is the perfect age for these workshops). 

Brad also remembered to bring the camera AND he had someone take this picture of all three of them. 

All 3 of our Snowman napkin holders.

Puzzles

We have a big bin of puzzles with a variety of sizes.  They don't get played with all that often because the boys are often playing with other toys.   For some reason they pulled out puzzle after puzzle after puzzle. (This was during Ollie's nap, otherwise it would not have happened).  

They lined the puzzles up and I took a picture.  I asked if Brody wanted a picture next to them and he said no (even though he did most of them).  Colt was willing to be in the picture.

Late night

The other night Colt woke up with a croupy cough.  This was very similar to a situation Brad had about a year ago but this time we knew it was croup and not something stuck in his throat.  Brad is our night owl and had a lot of patience with Colt trying to help him get his breathing and coughing under control.  I did my best to help but I was back in bed as quickly as I could be. 

Since my camera was right next to my bed I took a picture of the two of them.  It's such a sweet picture of a father and son.   (They are watching some of Mater's Tall Tales on Brad's laptop).

Similar to last time Colt had very little symptoms the day of this, but the next day he definitely had a very runny nose. 

The Christmas Tree

This year we did not even attempt to go to a Christmas Tree Farm, instead we headed straight to Home Depot.  It was pouring rain but we had Papa Bob and his truck to help us transport it home.  

The first night we were able to set it up.  The second night we put the lights on.  It took us a few more nights before we actually put the ornaments on. 

Brody enjoyed hanging the ornaments and was very helpful to his brothers.

I said it was time to take a picture and the only person who wanted their picture taken was Ollie.

Once he had his picture taken, Colt wanted one too.

And finally Brody agreed to a picture.

And a little glimpse of how strong our branches are, especially on the bottom level.  They can handle four or five ornaments at a time.  Not too bad for a Home Depot purchase.

Reading Clifford

Ollie is really enjoying his books.  He loves them just as much (if not more) than Brody did at his age.  His favorite books are Go, Dog. Go! , I Spy, Goodnight Moon & any truck book.   I love it when my kids want to read.  

Here he is reading Clifford's Christmas. 

He was so pleased to be sitting in the big chair by himself "reading" a book.

2nd Thanksgiving

Brad's family was feeling better so we finally had our "original" Thanksgiving.  

The beautiful table setting.

The kid's (over the age of 2) table.

We had leftover frosting and sprinkles so I made gingerbread men (that did not require assembling) for the kids to decorate. 

A generation picture.

Ollie, Brad, Colt, Brody, Shirley, Nanny, Andrew, Brian & Abi

We used the timer to get a picture of all of us.  Also in this picture is me, Angie & Norm. 

(The best part was Ollie's reaction once the countdown started to get in place.  He was so excited but also did not know what was going on.  I wish I could have gotten it on video).