"Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere." Carl Sagan

Clint and I got to go and see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Show starring the Rockettes tonight at the Frank Erwin Center. It was a great show! Well worth seeing....

"Since 1963 EASY-BAKE has been creating fun for families around the world." Hasbro

The new oven...very retro!
Mixing up the graham cracker crust.
Bailey's first bite!

Gooey delicious!!!

We finally got to use Kaci's Easy Bake oven from Santa today! The last few days have been so busy with all of our other toys- we just didn't get around to it until today!

I wanted to make something after lunch, but Kaci insisted we wait until Daddy got home from work so that he could enjoy our treat too. She decided to make the Smores packet first and that was a great choice. They were sticky and gooey and only took about an hour to complete. :)

We had to bake each graham cracker for 8 minutes and their were 6 of them to make....then we had to mix and warm the chocolate and mix the marshmallow mixture as well. Very time consuming, but all worth it in the end when we got to eat our warm, delicious smore!

"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." Pablo Picasso

Last night I told the kids that anyone who helped me put the Christmas decorations away today would be treated to Chuck E. Cheese! It is amazing what one little mouse can do!!

All the Christmas decorations are tucked away in the storage bins and the kids rooms are neat and tidy.

We had a really good time and ran in to lots of people we know. Our neighbors from across the street, Bailey's friend Zane and even Mommy's friend Mrs. Carol. Amber joined in on the fun with us as well.

I guess everyone needed a break from the house today. It was nice to get a little junk food in our bellies and play a few games. Here is a picture of the kids from the Sketch Booth! Too cute!

A lovely thing about Christmas is that it's compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together."

These past few days have been wonderful! I will let the pictures do the talking....

Reindeer Food
More Reindeer Food
After Church

Christmas Eve dinner

New Christmas train from PaPa

Look at all those presents!

Kaci's new art easel from Aunt Christi

Cool sunglasses from Kaci to Dad

Kaci's presents

Uncle Chad New platter

Kaci's new bedding

Bailey's new bedding

2 days and counting.....

A Christmas Survey!

When do you start Christmas shopping?
The day after Christmas....gotta' hit the sales!

Are you finished shopping?
Yes...thanks to Amber today :)

How many people are you buying for?

Clint, Kids, Mom, Dad, Amber, Mark, Nephews, Chad, Christi, Mother in Law, Friends, Teachers....the list is endless really!

What are you leaving out for Santa?
Milk and chocolate chip cookies (his favorite) of course!

Name 3 things you want for Christmas:
a watch, perfume and some kitchen gadgets

Are you traveling this year?

No ...it is wonderful :)

What kind of stockings are hung at your house?
Kaci (Dora), Bailey (Blues Clues), Clint (Santa), and Me ( Snowwoman)

Do you have a fireplace/ chimney?

Yes...and the kids LOVE a fire...it makes me sweaty!

Favorite things to get in your stocking?
new toothbrush and Starbucks gift card

Any family traditions?

looking at lights, making gingerbread house, lighting our advent wreath, counting down the days

What foods does your family have every year at Christmas?
Anything we don't have to cook on Christmas Eve...we go out for dinner

Who is the easiest to buy for?
The kids!

Who is the hardest to buy for?

My Mom

Any movies/specials you have to watch every year?

Christmas Vacation

Frosty the Snowman
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

Who passes out the presents?
The kids!

Main stores you have shopped at this year:

Target, Kohls, Target....did I mention....Target?

What kind of tree do you have?

A beautiful fake one that requires no care and offers no stinky pine smell

What are your 3 favorite ornaments on your tree?

The kids angel hand and footprints, the mommy and baby polar bear, and the one of Clint when he was a nerd...oops! I mean a kid!

What adorns the top of your tree?

Sparkly star

Do you collect anything Christmasy?

Ornaments every year!

Whose kids are you buying for this year?

My kids, nephews, friends

Can you name all 9 reindeer?
Yes!

Ever watch Ernest Saves Christmas?

No

What's your favorite Christmas drink?

Apple cider, Spiked Egg nog

Do you like Eggnog?

Yes, see answer above

What flavor candy canes do you like?
Don't really enjoy any of them

When do you take your tree down?

As soon as I can.....let's get on with the New Year~

Is Christmas still magical for you?

Yes, it's a special time, seeing my kids happy

What is your favorite thing about Christmas?

Being together with family and friends

Do you donate at Christmas time?

Yes, we donate food and coats to the local drive and toys to Blue Santa

Do you make sure to remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas?

Yes

How many nativity scenes do you have in your house?

1

Have you been naughty or nice?

Mostly Nice!--- but a few people pushed me to be naughty a few times

Absolutley beautiful!

The pictures just don't do it justice.....the best cul de sac of lights in Cedar Park! (or anywhere as far as we have seen!) There is a bonfire in the middle, a Brown Santa donation center and cookies, popcorn and hot cocoa~ They have the Christmas Spirit!!

5 days and counting.....

Spreading the icing with my hands!
Work in progress
Looking good
Finishing touches

Cheese!

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It is our Christmas tradition to make a Gingerbread house every year....and today was the day!

Unfortunately- our pastry bag got a hole in it so I had to use my hands to help spread the icing. Could I have used a spreader like Clint?....well...sure! - But it wouldn't have been nearly as fun or messy! Kaci and Bailey worked really hard to make it beautiful and they were very successful. It will be a nice accent to the kitchen table from now until Christmas arrives!

When we were all done decorating the gingerbread house- Bailey and Clint had a small

wrestling match in the living room. Here are a few cute pics!

"Christmas is the keeping-place for memories of our innocence." Joan Mills

Snowman craft

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Card crafts

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BINGO!
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Sweet girls!
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This afternoon at around 2:00 Kaci officially started her Christmas vacation!

She does not have to return to school until January 5th!!

I joined her and her friends today at school for their Chrismtas Party.

It was lots of fun. They rotated to 4 different stations where they; decorated cookies, made Christmas cards, played Bingo for candy canes and made their very own snowman magnet.

"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month." Harlan Miller

Our nativity and light up present

Nativity up close

My "Artwork" board covered in Christmas art

All our wonderful Christmas cards

The bench in our entryway

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

Our beautiful tree covered with Kaci and Bailey's homemade ornaments

My favorite ornaments...Kaci and Bailey's angels made out of their hands and footprints

A white Christmas fills the churchyard. - French Proverb

Getting ready to sing!
Leaving Chapel after a great performance!

Telling Mommy something cool!

All of us together!

Happy Meals!

Today was Bailey's Christmas Program at his school.

It was called, A Child's Nativity!

It was absolutely adorable. I wish I knew how to upload videos so that you could see and hear for yourself. But since I don't....these still photos will have to do for now! He was a Shepard and sang all of the songs throughout (with the best expressions on his face) ! It was priceless.

Afterwards- we went back to his class for a party with McDonald's happy meals, powder sugar snowflakes and chocoalte candy! It was a very special day and the start of our Christmas vacation. School is out until January 6th, 2009~~ YIPEEEEEEE!!

" Everywhere we go....we've got a bow!"

Thank you for all the beautiful bows, Tara! We love them!