Snowflake Lane

It was our 2nd annual trip to Snowflake lane with the cousins -- although we were missing three of them due to the flu. We can't wait until next year when we can all go together!

We had great plans -- to do it just like last year. Play on the toys at Bellevue Square, head down to Red Robin for dinner and then grab a great spot on the sidewalk to watch the drummers.

It did not go as planned. After waiting for over an hour and a half at Red Robin (original estimate was 45 minutes to an hour), we finally bailed and went and stood in line at McDonald's so the starving children could eat. They were pretty patient during all that waiting!

Hungry kids waiting to be fed!

We didn't have time to eat
inside -- so we had a picnic on the street.
And then it started to sprinkle!

Taking it all in!

We have a new plan for next year. Dinner first -- and early! We were glad it didn't work out the way we planned -- we were able to tell the cousins who were sick that they didn't miss much!

Although, it is a fun memory.

Watch Out Hallmark!

Sam made a special gift for his Kindergarten teacher (which we can't show you because he made the same thing for his grandparents!), and along with it he made a Christmas card. He decided what he wanted to draw and what he wanted to say -- and he did such a great job!

We should have him do our family Christmas cards!

Jumping for Joy!

Our local mall has a new attraction -- and it caught Sam's eye the last time we were there. I offered him the chance to give it a try, but he chose to do something else -- and then regretted his decision. I really wanted him to have another chance , so we found another reason to head to the mall and this time he did not pass up the chance!

Getting all hooked up and ready to jump!

He loved it!

He went so high that he reached
the second floor of the mall!

Well, you know who wasn't about to be left behind!

Little jumps at first.

It didn't take long before he was flying high!

The boys loved it and were ready to go back for more!

Night Lights

After dinner we told the boys to get their pajamas on -- we were going to drive around to look at Christmas lights!

We brought along some popcorn and hot chocolate, turned on some Christmas music and started driving. The boys loved it! Zak kept saying, "Lights! Lights! Plug in! Plug in!".

Heading out!

Munching on some popcorn.

Zak was ready for an adventure!

Taking it all in.

Crazy boys in the back seat!

We'll probably do this one more time -- I just found another area that has a ton of Christmas Lights!

Gingerbread Houses

You see gingerbread houses everywhere -- and they look so festive -- it seemed like it might be a fun activity to try with the boys.

I now know that buying a pre-made house is the way to go! I didn't quite have enough hands to get the pieces "glued" together. Sam ended up with a flat-roofed house and Zak got a tent. They didn't seem to mind!

Zak just wanted to eat the candy.
He did add the "roof" all by himself.

Sam had a hard time figuring out what he should put on his house. He was against just loading it up with candy -- every piece had to have a function!

This house has a chimney, a doorbell and roof vents.
He is definitely focused on function!

They came out pretty cute!

I'm not sure if the boys had more fun decorating their houses or eating the candy...well, they probably had more fun eating the candy!

Trimming the Tree

The boys were in charge of decorating the tree this year -- I decided I wasn't going to move any of the ornaments they put on the tree -- no matter how many they had packed on one branch!

To my surprise, they did a great job of spreading things out. I wasn't even tempted to move any! I added some breakable ornaments to the branches they couldn't reach and filled in the bare spots with some balls and bows. It turned out great.

Zak found the dog ornaments right away.

Zak kept taking ornaments
off and moving them around.

Sam was great at decorating the tree!

Zak kept trying to put this boot on his foot!

Sam directing the placement of the star.

Excited that the tree was done!

They were enthusiastic helpers!

O Christmas Tree!

We picked Sam up from school on Friday and headed to our local Christmas tree farm to find our tree.

Sam was excited to play hide-and-seek in the trees and Zak was excited to be wearing boots!

First stop was feeding the animals.

Our animal lover.

Quick pit stop.

Checking out the trees.

Taking a break.

Ready to cut down our tree.

Hiding out!

We were closing in on Zak's nap time -- so the traditional trip to Krispy Kreme was done via the drive-thru -- the boys didn't seem to mind.

A little pick-me-up after traipsing through the trees.

I think he enjoyed it!

The boys are going to help Matthew put lights on the tree and then we'll start decorating!