Monday, January 2, 2012

December 2011

Sadly I have no pictures of Christmas this year. I took a lot of video but no pictures...oops!! We had a great December. The weather was warm. Really!! it was super warm. We did our advent activities which we look forward to every year. And we spent a lot of time together as a family. We've been super lazy over the holiday break and I've loved every minute of it. We've stayed in jammies til late afternoon (and sometimes all day:), we've watched lots of movies, and eaten lots of treats. We've finished 3 puzzles, made lots of bread with my new bread maker, and taken oodles of naps. I've enjoyed having my family all home for over a week but I think it's time to get back to routine.

Here is a recap of the month in pictures:

We went to the mall to see Santa (they don't let us take our own pictures..ugh!!) but we still managed to take a few of the night and of course of Justin Bieber!!!

This is Jane's friend Ashlee








The Children's Museum with the Kennett's and Boothe's



We are all a little girl heavy in our families so the boys stuck together.



These 2 were a little scared to see Santa. They are trying to talk each other into sitting on his lap.

Aly was trying to be brave.





The whole gang!!




We had our 2nd annual Dutch Present Party!! We invited the Kennett's, the Boothe's, the Alcorn's, the Page's, and the Newell's. We decorated cookies, played games and of course opened the Dutch Present. It was super fun!!





Christmas Eve we always spend at the movies and out to dinner. We went to see "Arthur Christmas" and then ate dinner at Olive Garden. I love this tradition because I don't have to cook and the movie eats up a lot of the day.
After dinner we open the present we have bought for each other. We draw names and open them on Christmas Eve so they are special and don't get mixed in with the loot Santa brings. I absolutely love this tradition. The kids get so excited to buy things for each other.
Jane bought Dad bop-it and a puzzle.
Aly bought Mom a necklace and new running clothes.
Dad bought Aly a "grown up" outfit and a pearl necklace.
Tobe bought Jane a new Barbie.
And Mom bought Tobe a "boy" barbie so he doesn't have to rely on the girls sharing with him.
Everyone loved their gifts!!!


2000 piece puzzle!!


I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. We did!! Lazy and wonderful!!

4 comments:

Dawn said...

No pictures???!!!! :( I have the opposite problem- too many!
I love all the traditions you have started with your family - & friends. Looks like your holidays were happy!!
My favorite photo is of Aly looking at Santa. Such a cute moment captured. :)

Lauren said...

I love all of the pictures. Your kids are getting so big. And as cute as always!! We miss the fun parties at the Hatch's!

stalker sarah said...

How fun! We thought we were good completing a 1000 piece NYC Times Square puzzle! That 2000 piece puzzle must have been a dandy! Love all the photos! Looks like it was a wonderful December!

Kelli @ writing the waves said...

Look at that puzzle! Holy cow! That is what I call focus and determination. Fun pictures - looks like you guys had a great December!

p.s. What is the Dutch Present?