I love Christmas time!

I absolutely love Christmas time, and it becomes even more enchanting and special as I experience it through K and B's eyes.  K started asking to decorate for Christmas every day since Halloween, and had many ideas about how to celebrate.  This year was extra special, as K was old enough to understand and really get into it. 

Our Elf on the Shelf, Chloe came to visit us this year on Thanksgiving, and came every morning until Christmas when she had to return to the North Pole to be with Santa.  We had an advent calendar filled with all of K's favorite treats, which she would get to eat after dinner each night (so long as she ate her dinner!).  We took the kids to see Christmas lights on "Christmas Card Lane," complete with cookies and hot chocolate.  The lights were amazing and K loved it!  I'm not sure B could see out the window and he actually fell asleep since it was past his bedtime.  We also went shopping for toys to donate to Rady Children's Hospital, and K picked out some wonderful things that I think she would have liked for herself, but that she thought the other kids would enjoy.  Here are a few pictures of some of the fun things that happened this holiday season...

We made some delicious Christmas cookies; one of her favorite things to do!

Our Elf on the Shelf, Chloe created all kinds of mischief around our house.  K loved to wake up each morning to look for Chloe and to see where she might be hiding.  One morning, she wrapped all of our green throw pillows like Christmas presents.

And another day, she taped K's bedroom door and strung it with candy canes...sweet tart candy canes that K loved!

 K and I got all dressed up and went to a Holiday Tea!  So much fun!

 And St. Nick came to our house and left a few small gifts for K and B in their stockings.

 This was B's first present-opening experience, and I think he really liked it!

 K was eager to help him get the hang of opening presents!

Every Christmas gets better and better with the kids, and we're already looking forward to next year!