The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

December was a great month for us. I only had class for about a week and it was such a nice feeling being home in the evenings! David had 2 weeks off for Christmas break and we got to spend a lot of time together as a family. We did some projects that were unfinished around the house, we watched some movies and did some shopping, and we actually got to do a lot of relaxing! It was a much needed break from our crazy, busy, hectic life and we all enjoyed it. 

The boys got to go visit Santa at the mall. Cooper was really excited to see him. He told Santa that he wanted a firetruck, an airplane jet, and himself for Christmas, because he is pretty awesome and who wouldn't want 2 of him? I have no idea where he comes up with this stuff, but he is one funny kid. Carter did pretty good too for being his first time seeing Santa. 

This year, we got an Elf on the Shelf. This is an elf that comes to stay at your house and sits somewhere to watch you during the day, and then a night he flies home to the North Pole to report to Santa about if you were naughty or nice that day. And when the elf comes back in the wee morning hours, he always picks a new spot to sit for the day, and sometimes he does silly, mischievous things. It comes with a book that has the instructions for your elf, which said that Cooper had to give him a name. Coop chose to call him Rascal.

Here are some of the things Rascal did this year: 

{Rascal found a pen and drew funny faces and other stuff on our pictures}

{Rascal took down our stockings and replaced them with our underwear}

{Rascal got hungry during the night so he made mini elf donuts for breakfast}

{Rascal got bored so he played with our ribbon}

He was a lot of fun and really helped remind Cooper to be nice and not naughty. And Cooper thought it was fun to wake up and look for Rascal every morning. We can't wait for Rascal to come back next Christmas.

{Our weather hasn't been that terribly bad this winter. We've still been able to get out and go for a walk quite a bit}

{Cooper dressed himself. He put his Lightning McQueen swim shirt on over his jammies and was so proud of himself}

 

{Watching the 3D movies at Costco}

 

{During my break from school I decided to learn how to crochet again. This was my first attempt and it turned out to be a cute circle scarf. 

{We had some freezing fog for a week or so. It was so pretty on all of the trees}

 

{Cooper made this snowman at preschool. I call it his Picasso snowman.}

 

{We didn't let a little freezing fog keep us from hiking badger. This is at the top, where you can normally see all of Tri-Cities}

{Becca, Cooper, Elizabeth, and Carter at open gym}

{Carter in the foam pit}

Cooper was bored one day so I poured some finger paints into a bag and taped it to the sliding glass door. He loved it because it was something new and different. I loved it because it was mess free. Extra bonus: a learning moment - he also liked seeing how the blue and yellow paint mix together to make green.  I give myself an A+ for that day. We left it up on the door for a few days and he went back to it for more fun periodically. 

{This is both of their favorite place to be}

My Grandparents came into town from southern CA, so we celebrated Christmas a week early with that side of that family. It was so great to see everyone.

{Carter opening his first present}

 

{Carter anxiously waiting for Grammy to push the button on the truck}

{Carter laughing hysterically at the cars going down the ramp after Grammy pushed the button}

 

Cooper's preschool Christmas performance:

Christmas at our house:

{The boys putting out chocolate milk and cookies for Santa}

{Santa came!}

{The boys ready to open their presents on Christmas morning}

 Our pups:

{Rocky and Tucker}

My Grandparents brought them a toy when they came to visit and my dogs haven't put it down since they got it. They even sleep with it! They've ripped out all of the squeakers and there is no stuffing left, but they still love it. 

A friend of mine from school had some extra hockey tickets that she wasn't able to use so she gave them to us. David and I took Cooper to the game and he absolutely loved it. He said that when he gets all grown up, he's going to play for the Seattle Seahawks AND the Tri-City Americans. Oh boy...  

{Cooper has his licorice rope and is ready for the game}

{He was so excited to be at the game}