Crazy-fun Christmas

 A new idea - maybe new tradition - making Christmas brownies for Santa. So yummy, and we decorated them just like sugar cookies!

 

 Guess who was really excited to get a sparkly Christmas manicure...her first.

 The children - not yet quite nestled, but tired from Christmas Eve mass and full of beans & rice from delicious Mexican dinner with Nana & Bub.

 Giving his gift to Lola.

 Loving the cars that Lola got for him.

 Amazed and totally excited at the princess songs movie that Mac gave her.

 Nana read The Night Before Christmas with the kids.

 Bub read a few of Mac's favorite stories as well.

 Lola was surprised that Santa left a few bits of the brownies, and Mac was pleasantly surprised, wanting to eat the rest.

 So happy to get a unicorn and horse from Santa.

 Taking a break to rock out to her favorite Christmas songs.

 Loving the stick pony.

 So surprised

 Loving on her new doll, who she named Charlotte, after the Laura's doll in the Little House on the Prairie "Christmas in the Big Woods" book we've been reading.

 Mac gave Dan a new nag for work, since his old one is falling apart. Every day, Mac makes sure Dan has his bag before he leaves, and reminds him to get it out of the car after we get home. It was a perfect gift from him.

 Putting together the barn that Nana & Bub gave to Mac - which both of the kids love and play with every day.

 The best gift - Nana renovated the old doll house and surprised Lola. With a fresh coat of paint on the exterior, paint on the old furniture, as well as a few new additions to the rooms, it has once again become magical.

 Getting busy

 Bub, showing Mac how to use his new tools.

 Christmas music dance party

 Mini-me?

 Mama Bear's little man.

Merry Christmas to All!

Central Washington Time

 - Ellensburg Christmas and Leavenworth Christmas Lighting 2013 -

 

The kids were so excited to get to Ellensburg after a long, snowy drive. We had a great night and dinner with Grandpa Jack and Grandma Linda, then exchanged gifts in the morning.

 Grandma Linda loved her tie dye scarf that Lola made. When thinking of gifts this year, we wanted to make Uncle Andrew a tie dyed shirt - his favorite - and it quickly became the inspiration behind all of our homemade gifts for family and friends.

 Loving on his Grandpa.

 Practicing their sled riding for Leavenworth.

 Grandpa Jack's friend, Keith came over to see the kids. I think there might be some fun adventures with him in Mac & Lola's future.

 The kids got "Trunkies" from Grandma Linda & Grandpa Jack. They are suitcases that the kids can pull, ride on, or be pulled on. They love them!

 Hello Beautiful Leavenworth.

Day one of the Lighting - We watched from Grandma Arlene's balcony with snacks and wine.

 Waiting for the Live Nativity to begin. Lola had remembered it vividly from last year and was very excited to see it again.

 Mac enjoyed it, but preferred to walk in the snow while watching, rather than sitting.

 This year, Lola was really excited to go up on stage after the performance and take pictures with the cast... as long as Mac came.

 After the Live Nativity, we were on our way to Los Comparos, when we stumbled into Santa & Mrs. Claus. Lola has never been very excited about seeing Santa up close, but Mac is fearless and not only was happily help by Mrs. Claus, but started to cry when she put him down. Mac & Lola are quite a pair.

 Sledding adventures on Blackbird Island with Auntie Beca.

 Mac was happy to be in his sled and ate snow the entire ride.

 Day two of the lighting- this time we headed down with the crowd to sing with the choir and count down up close.

 Warming up after the lighting in Daddio's boots.

Our last night out, we went out to dinner with Auntie Beca, who taught Lola about aubergine- which she now knows mean purple in French. Loving our Auntie time.

 Warming his hands (which he refuses to keep mittens on) by the fire.

 

We also spent some great time with Grandma Arlene and Grandma Marylou, both of whom the kids have been talking about almost every day since. We love our central Washington family and hope to be back very soon!!!