We can't believe how fast December flew!!!!! Sorry for all of the pictures...I didn't take the extra step to put them into a collage!!!! We are enjoying lazy mornings of sleeping in with no school or work for Leevi and I'm hoping that next week creeps by!!!
Somehow putting the lights up outside became "my job"...I don't think we decorated outside until Hailey was old enough to appreciate it and that year Leevi was in Afghanistan until right before Christmas, so I did it. The following year he had knee surgery and was on crutches and that seemed to seal the deal. He would do it if I asked, but that would involve me patiently waiting until he could squeeze it in on a weekend! :) This year was super easy since we were in the same house as last year and I had left the nails up!
St. Nickolas visited the kids and I think I've said in the past how I wish our Santa would visit early before Christmas also to keep Christmas just about celebrating Jesus without all of the toys! Germans even open all of their gifts on Christmas Eve and have Christmas day to just be with family and friends.
For the 2nd year in a row now, the girls have set out a table of free toys during the Christmas season. I posted a few pictures on some FB groups in the area and they went fast. Realistically I know this probably won't work when we move off post, but regardless the toys were just going to be sent to the Thrift store anyway. Maybe next year we can find an orphanage or shelter to bring them to. The girls loved checking each day to see what had been taken.
The new children's nativity that we got last year was a big hit with Luke...
The little monster was up around 5 one morning so we vegged on the couch watching the Grinch for a bit before I put him back into bed!
Our visit with Santa this year was pretty successful! Luke was all about Santa while waiting in line and he walked right up to him and all was good until Santa picked him up. He didn't cry but he definitely didn't want to sit there. We tried a second time with Hailey holding Luke and he didn't seem to mind.
Kailee giving her long winded description of what she wanted from Santa...a doll wheelchair! Santa panicked about that one for a bit but came through! Hailey asked for the Barbie whose hair you can dye...too easy!
We hung around for a bit and let him watch other kids go up to Santa and he walked back up to him and gave him a pound! And maybe getting a piece of candy from Santa helped! :)
We tried a 2nd round of tree pics with Luke...
I don't remember what he was doing here, but it's sure is a funny pic!
I had Kailee sit down for me so I could adjust my camera settings and I told her it didn't matter if she smiled, so this is what I got...
Yay!!!! This one will go one my photo ornament for this year!
I liked this one too of Luke looking at Kai
And then the silliness started!
Luke had wandered off, but when he saw the girls posing, he ran to join them....love!
Sweet sisters!!!
One last try when Leevi got home from work!
So easily distracted!
Such holiday spunk!!!
This years advent calendars...not sure what we will do next year without Playmobil!!!!! I don't think that they are in many stores in the States, but I know I can order them online...I thought too late to go buy extra for next Christmas and I searched multiple stores all day mid-December and could only find one (but it was 50% off!)
This was the first year that we've done this, but we'll definitely be adding it to the Christmas traditions! The girls LOVED it and reapplied their beards several times, but Luke wiped his off immediately! :)
Gingerbread houses! A lot of our traditions had to be done at naptime or after Luke went to bed and this was one of them! There's always next year! :)
They turned out cute...
The girls opened their Christmas Eve present on Christmas morning since our evening gets so rushed with dinner and then the candlelight service...I didn't want to delay bedtime any later and then it also gives them some time to play with whatever they've opened. Hailey opened a new pillow pet (a rainbow unicorn!) and Kailee opened two new Beanie Boos from the Earls! We didn't even let Luke open one for fear that he wouldn't stop! :) He was great with having the presents under the tree but I wouldn't let the girls go near them so he wouldn't be tempted either! :)
Shrieking with glee!!!
Who needs toys??!!!
Snowy, our elf, also left the kids a note on Christmas Eve morning saying goodbye and two new Playmobil sets (a nativity and Santa's workshop) We were sad to see him go!!! I feel like Christmas just snuck up on us this year and I'm sad that the season is over! Usually by this point I'm ready to tear down the tree and get the house back in order, but I feel like we haven't had a chance to enjoy it completely!
