Late December ~ 2013 ~ MORE HOLIDAY RANDOMNESS

The one positive thing about waiting seven months to update my blog is the fun memories that I get to relive as I go back through old pictures. 

Our annual Christmas Soiree with our small group is a highlight of the Christmas season for me.  I absolutely love filling our home with dear friends, lots of laughter, a little music and some crazy dancing.  So many wonderful memories!

Amy, Rachel, me, Kathy and Sheri

Adam, Kyle, Zack (always the jokester), Jeff and Dan

Off to see Santa downtown

We go see Santa at Pioneer Square and I absolutely love the charm of it.  Unfortunately the Santa that we've seen for the past 4 years did the morning shift (something I will know to check next year!) but we had a very nice, very authentic Santa this year, as well.

I am wondering if this was the last year that both my kids will believe...I honestly hope not but Carter has started making comments so I am preparing myself for the inevitable.  Sad to see this magical moment come to an end, though.

Kennedy asked for a sewing machine and Carter asked for a remote control car (a very specific one that I am not certain that Santa was able to find).

LOVE

There is something magical about visiting Santa's house

The Christmas tree in Pioneer Square is huge!

Kennedy had a Christmas performance at school and her class dressed up as angels.

The performance was equal parts cute and funny as Kennedy had a slight wardrobe malfunction (her head band wouldn't stay up!)...These sweet moments are treasured indeed.

with sweet friends, Olivia and Lauren

Kennedy's kindergarten class

(back) Keaton, Jack, Gavin, Atticus, Ati'lii, Payton

(front) Alex, Kennedy, Teddy, Maddie R., Maddie Z., Olivia and Lauren

little angels

sweet prayers

a quick pic after the performance with her big brother

Kennedy's class had a small Christmas celebration before winter break ~ book exchange

and cookie decorating

Celebrating with the Asbury's

cute kids

my very dear friend, Heather

Kyle and I before heading out to a Christmas party ~ it's always fun to get dressed up and have a night out with my love.

Another Sunday of Advent

Kennedy and Mama before our annual date to see The Nutcracker

Kennedy and Kaitlin with their newly acquired Nutcrackers, they were thrilled!

Yay for cousin time!  Stacy, Justin, Bennett and Sloane came up for Christmas this year so we were able to have lots of family time.  The kids were so happy to be able to play with their cousins.

Our Australian friends, the Nucifora's, paid us a visit.  We always cherish our time together.

Our brood has certainly grown!

Carter (7), Sienna (8)

Kennedy (5), Alessia (6)

Ava (3), Luca (1)

of course we have to have a silly picture too!

Early December ~ 2013 ~ HOLIDAY RANDOMNESS

December is always a busy month for us...lots of fun activities and traditions.  I love the holiday season and all that it entails.

First up, the weekend after Thanksgiving we headed to Glennwood Tree Farm to find the perfect tree.

my favorite part of our annual tree hunt is that I inevitably choose a tree that is about 15 feet tall and can't quite accept that Kyle can't make it fit in our smallish living room.  We compromise and always end of with a smallish tree, no more than 8 feet.  Someday I will have super tall ceilings and therefore a super tall tree!

Carter singing at church again

Playing basketball during the winter is great!  Indoors, warm and cozy and only a 45 minute game once per week.  It's fantastic!

Coach Nick, Aiden, Matthew, Samuel, Carter, Trenton, Andrew, Ben and Coach Kyle

Kennedy and I got to celebrate Gracie's 6th birthday at a super cute Mickey Mouse party.  It doesn't get much better than red and white polka dots ~ darling!

The happy party group

Always fun to have our tree up and our Christmas clothes out!

I think I snap pictures every Sunday of Advent, just to document the cuteness of the season.  My kids love it, I am sure.

Zoo Lights!

Kennedy's love affair with maps continues!

my group of crazies, love them and all their silliness

rosy cheeked and excited to see the lights

Our friends, Brevin and Emery joined us at the zoo this year.  Always more fun to celebrate with friends!

Carter did a class report on Australia since we have friends who live there.  I helped a little but he did the majority of the work on his own, and he was very proud of it!