A week or 2 before Thanksgiving, there were some Christmas activities going on in the downtown area of where my mom lives. It was super cute! The sun was shining and it was actually quite warm so it didn't feel like Christmas, but with 2 little boys, I wasn't complaining. Andy had class, but Nana, Papa John, Uncle Joe, and Auntie Anna joined us. First up: Christmas cookie decorating!
Next we had lunch and then watched the horses giving carriage rides! Joshers was a fan!
Until he got up close and personal with the horses. Don't be fooled by this picture! He was actually terrified.
Snow would have been pretty, but the horse drawn carriage ride was much more enjoyable in the sunshine!
While the ride was a hit, meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus was not as happy of an experience. Ben did manage to tell Santa he wants a scooter. (As an aside, the boys have seen Santa several times this year. Ben really likes Santa, but when push comes to shove, he would rather keep his distance.)
The next day, Andy and I did the Jingle Bell Run! It was a last minute decision, but with weather in the upper 50's, we couldn't resist! We made Ben wear a bunch of layers, but he actually got hot. Guess we'll have to keep dreaming of that white Christmas! I hadn't run for months, but we somehow managed to finish in about 30 minutes. (I was slowing Andy down, I'm sure, even though he was the one pushing the stroller. Joshy stayed behind with Grandpa.)
I just have to include this picture of the obscene amount of leaves in our yard. My mom knows that raking leaves (and yard work in general) is not very high on our priority list, so last Christmas, she gifted us the gift of yard clean up! It was amazing! This was just the front yard. One guy did this all on his own and hauled away every last leaf!
And he did it just in the nick of time, because a day or 2 later we got out first (and only) snowfall of the year! Ben could not have been more excited! We had told him that it was coming and he headed straight to the window the minute he woke up. I love his excitement!
We had music class at 9:00, but of course Ben had to play outside before we left. (Whatever gets him to eat a good breakfast!)
I adore this video of the boys playing in the snow. Josh's giggles are the best.
Finally, it was starting to feel a little more Christmasy! We headed out for lunch at the public market. There was a clarinet player playing Christmas music, so we grabbed front row and enjoyed lunch.
After lunch, we bundled back up and checked out German Christmas Market, the Cristkindlmarket. It was so festive and fun! Ben made a gingerbread man...
dictated a Christmas list of what everyone in the family wants (according to my favorite 3 year old),
and of course, enjoyed a delicious pretzel!
This day was seriously the definition of happiness in my book. My heart was (is) so full!
As with most weekends, the day ended with some fort building, Christmas book reading, and festive jammy wearing.
Now, I know we did all of this stuff before Thanksgiving, and I'm not trying to overlook Thanksgiving, but I think it is safe to say that I am truly thankful for my family, each and every day. I try to keep this blog happy and I want to look back at all of these happy memories some day. So while I truly love Thanksgiving as well, it would be a shame to pass up all of this memory making with my family!
On to Thanksgiving! I decided to take off the day before Thanksgiving this year. Mainly because the boys had no school, but also because the days before holidays at work tend to be crazy! I got to spend the whole days with my boys and it was heavenly! Target and Culver's? Smiles all around!
Thanksgiving! A day to really reflect on all the blessings in our lives. What's not to love about these silly turkeys?!
We went to my cousin's house for lunch and then headed to Andy's parents for dinner. By the time we got to our second stop, both of the boys were beat! Ben was so tired I was afraid he was getting sick. I wasn't complaining about the snuggles, but this is definitely not his baseline activity level! We all look like we could use a nap good night's sleep!
Gobble, gobble Joshy! The little ones didn't eat any turkey or anything Thanksgiving related for that matter, but fun was still had by all!
I was thankful to have the day after Thanksgiving off as well! Grandpa watched the boys while Andy and I had a double date with Anna and Chad. It was super fun! We went to our favorite restaurant for dinner before we went to see Home Alone played with the Symphony!
Not that we were lacking any Christmas spirit up to this point, but it was a perfect way to kick off what many consider to be the official start of the Christmas season. Heck, I would have gone in April if asked. :)
We had such a good dinner on Friday night that we decided to hit up the same restaurant on Saturday night as well. We know what we like in this household, especially when it comes to food! While I love going out to dinner, Josh isn't at a great eat-at-a-restaurant stage. However, this night both boys truly blew us away! I was almost crying happy tears! Josh was loving the fries and Ben ate his first butter sandwich! The things we get excited about!
We decided to have one of Santa's elves make an appearance at our house this year. I think Ben likes him. It was a rough start though! The first day was great. Elfie/Ralphie/Elf the elf (he has several names, thanks to Ben) appeared on our mini tree. Ben was psyched! Aside from when he fell off the tree as we were moving it upstairs and Ben started crying, it was a happy day.
The next night, Elfie was in the blinds on the window on the stairs. For whatever reason, Ben woke up at around 2:00AM and was TERRIFIED! I heard screaming and so I went upstairs to find Ben in his bed. I thought he had had a bad dream, but then he said that he saw the elf in the window. OOPS. Elfie is no longer allowed upstairs, and every night as we tuck him in, Ben reminds us to tell Elfie not to go upstairs. He's listened!
Aside from this incident, things have been going well. The boys had a blast decorating the mini tree in Ben's room.
To end our fabulous family weekend, we cut down our own Christmas tree on Sunday evening. This might be one of my favorite family activities ever. Unfortunately, we got there about 15 minutes before they were closing, but we still managed to find the perfect tree!
Can't forget the video!
To date, our tree is up, but it only has lights on thus far. It is also barricaded by a baby play yard! I think it just might stay this way this year!
Speaking of holiday modifications, our stockings are also hung a wee bit higher than the mantle this year thanks to the newest walker in the house! That St. Nick did make sure to put them on the mantle when he visited this year though! Ben asked why I didn't get anything in my stocking since I was a good momma this year. Good question, buddy! ;) Though what is better than this in a stocking?? (NOTHING!)
And last but not least, the boys got to see Santa again because both he and Scoopie were at Culver's the other night after basketball. Ben was high-5ing Scoopie, but he did manage to tell Santa that he wants a scooter and a SKATEBOARD. He said he saw the elves working on a scooter but he wasn't sure about the skateboard. Luckily, Ben knows that Santa only brings toys that are safe for kids. (Thus he added a helmet to his list. Hah!)
Phew! That's a lot of stuff! This weekend is jam-packed full of Christmas cheer as well, including a trip to breakfast with Jesus. I've really been trying to explain to Ben the real meaning of Christmas. He seems to understand it, as well as a 3 year old can, though I suppose it's confusing that both daddy and Jesus were born on the same day! Joshers got sick for the first time last night and it was so terribly sad! I am hoping and praying that he is all better in the morning and that I have 2 healthy little boys this weekend!
