The first fog rolled in for Christmas Eve, and it was so enchanting. We spent the afternoon and evening at Tommy's parents, playing outside, frosting sugar cookies, singing Christmas carols and opening up a present under the tree.

we brought home the sugar cookies we frosted and laid them out for Santa with a tall glass of egg nog.

We're ready for Santa to come!

We made Gingerbread Men with Nana & Papa and the cousins, just in time for Christmas week! 

the kids love the Christmas decorations

left: Max can be found on this old desk for almost every second of playing at Nana and Papa's house.  Right: sweet Gabbie and her spot next to the fireplace

Noah talks about his Papa all the time. 

Tommy took the gingerbread-making very seriously, helping the kids line everything up in beautiful rows. Drew was very concerned that we would steal his ideas. It turned into a full-on competition while I watched from the sidelines, trying not to laugh too much. ;)

the finished product

I always thought you had to wait till after Christmas to eat the gingerbread houses, but Tommy let them start picking off of it the next day. 

There is a cute mini train station near our house. We stopped by at the perfect time to see a Christmas celebration put on by the local 4-H club.

I think we'll have to sign up with 4-H, since we're all big animal lovers in this house.

the coolest face-painting we've seen

Max loves anything scary. His favorite things are snakes, spiders and alligators. :)

baby rudolph

The Santa there was about 90 years old with a scary, scraggily voice. The kids were a little scared, and Sydney whispered to me, "He's not really the real Santa. His voice is funny." Noah was terrified and wouldn't come close.

The letters were made, the envelopes sealed. Now off to find Santa!

Sydney helped write letters for Max and Noah. But she started to whisper all kinds of suggestions on what to ask for, and we had to rein her in a bit. ;)

We found the cutest Santa, who we know really is the true Santa. He said he remembered them from last year. Noah clutched on tight to me for dear life, but we finally got him to stand at a safe distance from the jolly old elf. :)

The biggest Christmas tree in the shopping center near our home. Sydney and Max begged for a tree that big. Looks like we'll be needing a bigger house.

St. Nicholas Day is one of our favorite days of the year. But since Tommy and I were going to be in Cabo on the 6th, we hoped Santa would make an exception for us and come early.

We found this note on our doorstep one evening when my mom and Grandma came into town (they came to help watch the kids while Tommy and I would be in Mexico)

It said, "Dearest Children, I heard your plea, to change the date from '6' to '3'. So get your shoes, and sandals and boots, and get ready for some goodies and loot." Sydney wasted no time and ran and found the biggest boot she had. The bigger =  the more loot!

the kids adore their great Grandma! She is so patient and kind to them.

He came! It was pouring rain outside, so he found a way to sneak into the garage.

There was a quick moment of confusion and disappointment when they opened the front door and didn't see their shoes. But they quickly figured out where they may be.

Sydney ran to grab the shoes first, and started handing out the boots to her brothers before she grabbed her own. She is a sweetheart.

My mom and Grandma's shoes were hidden in their room all night, so St. Nick found a way to give them their goodies with someone else's shoes. :)

the kids never leave my Grandma's side

Tommy and I were spoiled

Syd found some sparkly nail polish, and Haley found a bone

A delicious breakfast of hot chocolate, eggs and rice, and chocolate chip cookies

You're never too old to be spoon-fed.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!!