Christmas Break fun!

It's always a juggling act being a working mom/dad and figuring out Christmas break.  I was able to take a couple days off this year and Rea spent some quality time with her G&G W.  It worked out great and we managed to have a fun Christmas break!

Hatching the Hatchimal...
It wouldn't hatch on Christmas day but the day after... Rea accidentally dropped it and it magically started the hatching process!

Mommy/Daughter day!  A trip to the mall, Build a Bear, Claire's and our fave lunch place, The Cheesecake Factory!

Rea spent a fun day with her bestie at Climb Iowa- her first time and after she got over her initial fear of heights, she loved it! She's been begging to go back ever since.

Swim time and bball time with friends at the gym!

Who doesn't wear jammies while shooting hoops?

Ice skating! Our first at the ice skating rink this season and she loved it once she got over her first initial fall...

And it wouldn't be Christmas break without baking!

Making Gramma W's chocolate chip cookie recipe. She did all the measuring, mixing and even cracked the eggs with no shells. Success!

The perfect Christmas break~ now time to ring in the new year and pray for a peaceful, content and FUN 2017!

Christmas Part 4

As our 2016 Christmas season comes to an end, we love getting together with our besties for good eats and lots of laughs!  Annual tradition dictates celebrating with our dear friends Nette and Davy as a farewell to Christmas.

She loves her Aunt Nette and Uncle Davy!

Such a cute book!

A new fan!

So thankful for this friendship! Soul Sisters!

All good things must come to an end... I think I'll need some extra cups of coffee now to put away our Christmas decor and Christmas gifts.  Too bad Elfie doesn't stick around for the clean up!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Part 3: Christmas Day 2016

Christmas day 2016-

Reagan was SO excited for Santa to come (but we kept reminding her to sleep in!)

She got up at 8:15 am and made a beeline for the Christmas tree...  She was so excited to see that Santa had come!

Santa brought a Hatchimal and a mermaid tail blanket.  We got her an iPod Touch, American Girl doll ice cream truck and outfit with sled, some fun snow paint, a Brightling doll, some Shopkins and Littlest Pet shop sets, school clothes, and a Lego set. She was in awe....

Annual tradition:  Monkey bread!

She has been asking for an iPod touch for 2 years... finally got it and she was in shock!

Trying to hatch the Hatchimal that won't hatch!

We spent the rest of the day at Andy's parents and had a great time feasting, playing games, and hanging out with family.  What a bundle we have to be thankful for... family, friends and Christmas blessings. God is good!  Merry Christmas!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Santa came!

Christmas Part 2

Christmas part 2-
First up- annual girls Christmas!

This year we involved the Little's and had fun opening gifts, catching up and enjoying the set up my dear friend Adrian put on! Hostess with the mostess for sure!

These girls have been with me through thick and thin- in the past, possibly in the future- distance may put some time between our visits, but we always pick right back up where we left off!

So very thankful for these friendships in my life.

Rea adores her friend Jules!

The finale- these cupcakes are pure Christmas magic!

Annual baking day!

Rea and I had fun doing some Christmas baking... rolo wreaths are her favorite, along with gingerbread boys (Rea says, and gingerbread girls too!)  and I tried a new recipe this year with white chocolate chips/peanut butter. Sugar cookies and brownies to come...Yum!

Christmas baking in pj's- it's the best!

My new Christmas present! Thanks Adrian!

She was a master with the rolling pin.

I think we need more flour.

Christmas eve is on the horizon...we are getting ready to say farewell to Elfie and hello to Santa's visit!

Christmas Part 1

The slushy sleet and ice came, then the flurries but we had plans to head north and kick off our Christmas spree with my side of the family so we braved the roads and made it safe and sound!

We were spoiled with sweet goodies and delicious eats and Gramma's percolator punch!

So great to spend time with family and Rea loved seeing her cousins, snuggling with Gramma K. and working in Grandpa K's shop!  A fun time was had by all!

Santa's Helper:

Cousin time!

Snuggles with daddy...

Posing with mommy....

Loves to hold baby Lex!

She was very excited for her art supplies!

The whole gang...

Gramma's punch!

New pj's!

Merry Christmas!