Christmasness

It hardly seems possible that in the marathon of December and Christmasness (yes, it's a word), we are in our final lap sprinting to the finish line. It goes too fast. Another reason why I have to start our Christmasness the day after Thanksgiving, if I waited until December 1st, I might blink and miss it.

I got their pictures developed and opening the box and seeing these pictures was like early Christmas...I think they are the final touch to make our Christmas mantel perfect.

Just like everyone else, we've been keeping busy. Spending more time running around, naps are getting skipped and pushed back, and we have been in and out of malls and stores.

Chris' work had a Christmas party this year at Crystal Ridge (ski hill), in the lodge...it was really nice. Santa was there and gave Lily and Liam some toys.
   

Liam wasn't quite sure how he felt about Santa.

Then there was a White Elephant gift exchange...I got stole a Babycakes Doughnut maker....seriously, who thought this should be a white elephant gift????? I was super excited and planned to use it to make some doughnuts for Breakfast with Santa the next morning.

Cinnamon & Sugar doughnuts, placed in $1.00 spot tin from Target with parchment paper. I did make them for Breakfast with Santa (which was awesome and deserves it's own post).

I love that when I come out of Liam's room after feeding him and putting him down for bed, I find Chris coloring with her...by the tree.

It's no secret I am obsessed with Pinterest and have been doing lots of things I find on there. Got this idea for a small gift.

 

 source

And this idea for an ornament made from the tree trunk...we just added the name of our tree ~ Flower, which Lily picked this year.

 

Liam has been great about the tree. Curious, but cautious.

And I think all their silliness proves they feel the Christmas magic (or at least I hope so).

I have been wearing a Santa hat almost every weekend of December to run errands. I love that it is Christmas-y and I don't have to do my hair.

with my new camera

Madeline is also getting into the Christmas spirit...I love when I find her little imaginative set-ups all over the house. I believe on this day Madeline asked bunny to a picnic with a Christmas blanket. Bunny brought along Pink Poodle. Madeline said bunny could use the green napkin and she would use the pink napkin.

 

We took our annual trip through Candy Cane Lane to look at the lights. It could have been magical. Lily had a temper tantrum in the car (I don't even remember about what now) and after we told her "okay, we are leaving", we waited 35 minutes in the Candy Cane Lane traffic to really leave.

I love this guy - what a great idea!

Elf is getting silly. He's been getting all kinds of crazy ideas from some other elves on facebook (if Santa has the Portable North Pole, you better believe those elves are on facebook!)

She loves it!

Also, he got a really crazy idea from an elf named Tinkerbell, he took our stockings and replaced them with Lily's underpants...she was laughing hysterically about it.

I love these tights. I wish I could put her in them everyday.

Dressed up for holiday day at school

But among the hustle and bustle, I always try to soak it all in, especially this time of year.

This is it...these are the days. They will not be little forever - I know that.

And we even squeezed in a lunch with my sister. We don't do it enough.

The other night I came home from work and Chris had a fire going...I love that. After their baths, both of them warmed their butt cheeks up on the glass - so cute.

The kids are sick this week, I've been up every night this week with one or both of them. I have been wrapping presents almost every night. I am tired. But this is how it goes. Too much to do and not enough time. And every mama out there can relate to that. But we keep going. Running on adrenaline or caffeine, we will get it all done.

This my friends, is what you call a Christmas Cutie. A 15-months-old-today Christmas Cutie.

Coming up...Breakfast with Santa, Country Christmas and Santa's Lap...


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As I was looking through pictures to post...I found these from State Fair, I am sad I didn't get to post much this summer, we had a blast. Our brave girl wanted to do this. I thought she might "chicken out" or cry.

She loved it! She's big, ya know