We had a busy December full of adventures and Christmas Spirit; with a few meltdowns here and there to keep things real.
We started out the festivities by going and getting a Christmas tree. I have always wanted to go to an actual farm where we could pick our own tree to cut down. We did that this year and it was a little bit of a letdown. There were very few trees to choose from and once Tanner started suggesting trees shaped like cactuses I knew that dream would not be fulfilled this year. We ended up picking one that the tree farm had already cut down. And it wasn't stellar. Apparently Iowa isn't known for growing Christmas trees. Who knew?
While decorating the house, the kids decided they needed lights on their beds. It was a big hit that I'm sure will have to happen every year. Just a warning to parents...never start something that you don't want to continue year after year, because the children will remember and they will expect it.
While decorating Mariah put this sign on her door. You can tell I'm always stressing the sleeping baby part.
Our tree had a rough start but we were able to whip it into shape.
One Wednesday (Tanner's day off) we went to Iowa City for a church meeting. While there, we stopped at the Children's Museum. The kids ran from one exhibit to the next and loved it all.
I decided this year to celebrate Austin's birthday at the beginning of the month so that I could be motivated to actually make a cake and have a party. I had grand plans for Austin's birthday cake. It was going to be a chocolate cake with crushed candy cane ganache that would be decorated as a puppy. Needless to say, by the end Austin had christened it his "monster cake", but it did taste delicious and that is what matters most.
I didn't wait long enough for the ganache to set before putting it between the layers of cake so the top layer kept sliding off. It was real bad. Eliza had a great time helping me put the frosting on though.
Austin decorated with sprinkles and toasted coconut (for the hair of the monster) and he wasn't even sad that it wasn't a puppy. Thank goodness for easy pleasers.
We had cousins over and it was a great time. Mariah and Chet each made him homemade presents and it was so sweet to see how excited they were to give them to Austin.
That night we went to the Victorian Stroll in our little town. Each year all of the businesses on the square decorate their windows and have people acting something out inside them. Some windows depicted family scenes, others had artists' painting, leather workers making saddles or quilters. Some businesses were handing out hot chocolate and cookies and several had musicians. There was an elaborate train set and even a reenactment of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. One window had our neighbors depicting a father coming home from war. Our kids were so excited to see their friends in a window.
They even had a carriage and a place where you could try roasted chestnuts. Once we got to the roasted chestnuts the kids spotted Santa and couldn't wait so we'll have to wait until next year to try our chestnuts.
The first year Austin has willingly sat on Santa's lap.
Santa's lap is where my kids ask for the most random things for Christmas.
We saw a beautiful ice sculpture of an angel. It is such a neat thing that our community does and we can't wait to go to it again.
Mariah and Chet were able to play the piano in three different venues and they did so well. In his first performance, Chet kept looking over at Tanner and I with a big ol' grin on his face; it affected his playing but he didn't seem to care. In his second performance, Chet was halfway through his song when he realized that his music was upside down. Without missing a beat he flipped it over and kept on playing.
Mariah and Chet also got to sing with their choir for a Christmas performance. Mariah sang a duet and did so well on her part. She has such a beautiful, clear voice and wasn't even scared to do it in front of a bunch of people.
One night Tanner took the boys to a hockey game with the Vandermartins. They had such a great time but no pictures were taken. Chet got a hockey puck and a cow bell and Austin won a free pizza for his dance moves.
While they were at the game, us girls had a little party of our own. First we went and got some ice cream.
After Eliza was in bed Mariah and I watched a Christmas movie together and ate nachos. It was fun spending some one on one time with her.
On another night, Tanner and Mariah went to an Albia high school basketball game. Chet is already planning when he'll get to go to a game with dad.
We had Shepherd's Night at Brittany and Baydon's and they made the most delicious Gyros. Tanner made a great sheep and we had some real cute shepherds.
The kids and I got to ring bells for the Salvation Army at a little grocery store in town. I told the kids that they could bring some of their money to donate as well and told them what the money may be used for. Before we went Chet said, "Mom, I've been thinking about how some people don't have homes to live in or food to eat, so I want to give $5." Mariah decided to do the same. Austin was very generous in giving three whole quarters (and we all know those are more valuable than that useless paper money anyway). Mariah and Chet stuck it out for the whole hour singing Christmas songs and loudly declaring, "Merry Christmas!" anytime someone put money in the bucket. And I do believe people are much more likely to donate money when there are four sets of little eyes watching their every move as they approach. Eliza and Austin lost motivation halfway through and hung out in the car the rest of the time where they could dump out sunflower seeds and empty the wipes.
One night we drew pictures of what Jesus's birth meant to each of us.
I love the knives and spurs that Chet and Austin are sporting in Chet's drawing.
We made several different cookies and delivered them to friends. Chet and Mariah were so excited to doorbell ditch our neighbors.
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