Day 150

Today was the first day we have felt like getting out and about. Alden, Adalee and myself have been quite sick during the holidays. It started out a little over 2 weeks ago, with all 4 of us having the tummy bug. We no sooner got over that than Alden came down with something else. He ran a fever for over a week and was congested and refused to eat. Adalee ended up with the beginnings of pneumonia and I developed a really nasty sinus infection which triggered my asthma. I think we are all finally on the mend (thanks to large doses of antibiotics) and are ready to get out of the house!

So today we bundled up and headed down to the Grand Place with Grandma Jean and Papaw. They treated us to lunch at McDonalds and a ride on the ferris wheel. It was really fun to get out for a bit and the kiddos loved the ride!

Day 144 - Gingerbread House 2010

It took us until Christmas Eve this year, but we finally got our Gingerbread house made. This is one of the favorite traditions of the children. They love making it as well as eating all of the goodies!

Ready to start on the house

The boys working on their sections

Adalee getting her candies to put on her side

Alden working on his tree

Waiting not so patiently to taste all of the candies

Adalee tasting one of each candy we used

Adam was quite excited to eat his candies

Alden wasn't feeling the best, but he managed to eat a few pieces anyway

Our completed house

Working on their paper houses

The kiddos with the final product!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we always open 1 present before bed. The children always open their new Christmas jammies to wear to bed. This year was no exception. After dinner, they gathered around the tree and opened their new jammies. This year we also had another special gift from Daddy. He recorded "Twas the Night Before Christmas" so the children could listen to it before they went to bed. They loved it! Then everyone got their new jammies on and we watched "The Polar Express" before heading to bed!

Opening their new jammies

I loved that Adalee was using her teeth to open her new pajamas

Their special gift from Daddy

Opening their Christmas Eve gift from Daddy

In their new jammies, listening to the book Daddy sent

Watching "The Polar Express"

Our letters to Santa along with Milk and Cookies

Santa's thank you note

The baskets for their Christmas presents

Ready for Christmas morning!

Christmas Morning

On Christmas Morning the kiddos woke up about 7:00 to open presents. We ate our traditional sausage and egg casserole and sticky buns. While we were eating breakfast, we got a special surprise. Abrahm called us on Skype. We even got to see him all decked out in his Santa hat! After chatting with Daddy, the kiddos got right to work opening all their treasures. Santa was way too generous this year (as were the grandparents!)

All the presents!

Santa Claus came!

Adam reading Santa's letter to Daddy

Ready to open presents

Time to open presents!

More presents

Alden opening his Legos from Grammy and PopPop

Adalee opening her new dress up clothes

Santa brought Adam his DS

Alden opening his castle

Adalee opening her doll house

Adalee opening her doll house furniture

Playing with their new toys

Opening Stockings

Before dinner we let the kids open their stockings. They were just as excited to open the little treats in their stockings as they were to open their big presents.

All 3 ready to open stockings

Adalee opening her new movie

Adalee loved her new jewelry

More Legos for Adam!

Alden opening his stocking stuff. His fever had just started spiking during this time. Right afterwards it was high and we headed to the ER.

Papaw opening his stocking too!

Day 139

Last year we started a new tradition at our house. Each year Lego puts out a Christmas set. So starting last year we decided to buy the set and display it at Christmas time. Last year they had a Toy Shop and this year they had a Boulangerie. The kids especially enjoyed making the boulangerie since we have one right by our house. It was pretty authentic right down to the macarons, croissants and baguettes.

The boys with their Lego Christmas Village they made

Alden playing with the set after building it