Christmas Eve 2016

This year for Christmas Eve, we started out a little differently and started off with  letting the kiddo's open the Christmas Eve box in the morning instead of the evening.

Inside were their usual traditional Christmas Eve pj's and a few activities to keep us busy throughout the day.  The kids received a Shrinky Dink kit to make a little Christmas tree. They love Shrinky Dinks and absolutely loved this idea.  Everyone participated and got along and together we put together the cutest little tree.

Then we took the time to play our Christmas Memory Match game and the Christmasopoly game we received last year.

And we had the feast requested and designed by Faith. Lasagna, Salad, Garlic Bread, Apples, Oranges, Carrots and Corn.  

And once evening fell, we donned our new pj's. 

And we made some reindeer food and sprinkled it in the yard.  

And cuddled up on the couch to watch a Christmas movie 

Then we broke out the last part of the Christmas Eve Box. The new Lego Christmas train set and went to work. 

It turned out awesome! 

And right before bed time, my favorite part of the whole day happened. When we witnessed this!

Caleb may have just earned his place as the new traditional reader of T'was the Night before Christmas.  I can't get enough of this pic.  Perfection.  And all that was left to do after such a busy and exhausting day was to put out a plate of cookies and milk then get in bed and snooze the night away waiting for Santa to come.

Christmas in Color

This year we got the chance to go drive through the new light show called Christmas in Color. The kids were in love and spent most of the trip through hanging out the sunroof and yelling at the kids in the car in front of us doing the same.  

Faith's Christmas Program 2016

Miss Faith once again had the cutest preschool program ever.   She sang her little heart out both during a performance at a local shopping mall and the final program at the library.  

C Man Christmas Choir

This guy was so mad when they made him take choir for the first half of the year. But not only has he loved it, but he was given a solo at the last performance and is starting to lament that it's almost over.  We had a good time enjoying his Christmas concert this last week. Here's one of the more well known numbers they performed.  Enjoy!

Team Dance Pics

Along with the dance performances,  team pics finally came back as well. These girls are the cutest!

This is Faith's Jazz Team- The Starbursts 

And her Hop Hop team- Starstruck

Then last, but not least her Cheer leading team- Shooting Stars

December Dance!

Faith had her first official dance performance of the 16-17 dance season.  She started off the day with her first ever cheer-leading performance.  She was a little nervous, but totally rocked it out.

One of the girls was absent, so Faith was unable to do the last stunt.  She was pretty disappointed in the ending, but otherwise please with her performance.  Just picture her at the top of the tall pyramid in the back there at the end.

And then it was time to transform her into a fish for her Too Many Fish in the Sea dance.

Which of course, she rocked that out too!

And after a quick lunch break, she became a pirate. 

Yo Ho, Yo Ho a Pirates Life for Me! 

She did such a great job for the first time they've ever performed these numbers on stage. Can't wait to see them when they are even more practiced during competition season.  Way to go my little sassy dancer! 

Family Christmas Party 2016

For this year's family Christmas party, we went with a How the Grinch Stole Christmas pajama party theme. The decorations turned out so fun.

And we played some games. Like making a reindeer, the same way the Grinch made his out of  his dog Max.

And Mike won the title of Holiday Cheermeister when he submitted these gems to the sock gifting contest.  

And of course, the real (not Grinch-y) Santa showed up.

And Christmas wishes were placed. 

And gifts to tide them over were given. 

Another great year on the books! 

Zoo Lights 2016

Mike's work planned their Christmas party as a family event again this year. This year they chose to take us all to see Zoo Lights.  We got to enjoy a yummy dinner in a warm building at the zoo then walk around to check out the lights together.  We love the Zoo Lights and try to go every year, so it worked out perfectly this year.