Visitors!

We were so excited to have my friend, Allison, and her children, Emily and Everett come for a visit from California. We had such a wonderful time having them stay with us. I had to take this picture of Emily. She was having a lot of fun twirling in the curtains in Elizabeth's room, until she got stuck!
Oops - her hair got stuck!!!

No worries, we were able to untangle her pretty easily.

Then it was on to playing on the stairs! :) I don't really know why we let them do this, I normally don't let my kids ever play on the steps. (safety and all! :) But we were sitting right at the end of the steps supervising and they were having so much fun!

Ben, Emily, and Jackson getting ready to head down the steps.

Ooo - fun!

They all loved it.

Cooper liked it too!

Ben and Emily were so cute hanging on the landing on the steps.

Ben loved to hold Everett (what a cutie!). He loves holding all babies!!

Everett's trying to figure out who is holding him.

Emily wanted to get into the action.

Elizabeth had a ton of fun holding Everett, too.

Our 4 kiddos hanging out.

I know it looks like my dog is trying to take a little nibble of Everett, but really he's just sniffing! :) We wanted a picture of Everett in our "flying hats".

Cooper, Emily, and Power Ranger Ben taking a break from playing for pictures.

Jackson was there, too! We had such a great time with our friends here. We just wish they lived closer!

Elizabeth's Holiday Party

After Ben's party we headed straight over to be a part of Elizabeth's party.
Ben and Nick hung out watching movies.

The kids had so much fun at a few different centers. Here they are creating igloos and snowmen out of marshmallows and pretzels.

They also played pin the tail on frosty.

Here Elizabeth is making an applesauce/cinnamon ornament.

More kids creating.

At the last center the kids decorated cookies.

At the end of the party we let the boys pin the nose on frosty. I thought this station would take 2 sec. and the kids would leave. It did only take 2 sec. but they all loved it and came back to play it at least 10 times each. It was crazy!

2 buddies - too bad Ben's eyes weren't open!!

Ben's Preschool Christmas Show and Party

Ben's school invited the parents to come watch them sing a few songs and then head to the classroom for a Christmas party.
Here's the class - posing for about a million pictures.

A picture with the teachers.

Then we headed to the classroom. Here's the goofy boy.

Waiting on instructions.

Now Ben is working on a craft. The kids got to rotate wherever they wanted in the room working on different holiday crafts and activities.

Showing off the stocking he sewed together.

Putting his numbers in backwards order....not sure why backwards! :)

Unfortunately we had to cut out of the party early and head to Elizabeth's party. Ben had a great time, though!

The Nutcracker

We went to the Nutcracker play with Cooper, Ben, and Elizabeth! We had such a great time - I was a little worried that the boys would have a little trouble sitting still for that much time, but they did great! Before we left Grandma gave each of the kids a nutcracker as a memento.
Elizabeth got a chef nutcracker!

Jackson was a little too young to come with us, but he ate some pizza with us before we left.

My mom found this cute nutcracker play centerpiece.

We took an intermission snack in the hall - Grandma packed little water bottles and cookies.

We saw one of the rats from the play in the hall!

After the play was finished we took some pictures by the beautiful tree.

Outside the theatre we found some other areas to get pictures, it was very beautiful! Finally the cold chased us back home. We can't wait for next year!

Elizabeth's Christmas Tea

My mom and Elizabeth invited a few friends over to my mom's house for another annual Christmas tea. Elizabeth really enjoys doing this with my mom every year, I think it will be a wonderful memory for Elizabeth to have of her Grandmother!

My mom set the table so cute and had Elizabeth help make a snack or two.

After the guests arrived they all played bingo with marshmallows.


The hostess

Brady and Emma

Elizabeth and Nick

Ben and Cooper - Cooper was too busy eating to take a picture! :)

Berkley, Elliott, and Bridget

After bingo it was time to eat!

After the kids were finished eating they all headed outside to run around and play in the playhouse. I think they all had a really good time!

That evening Janet had her annual Christmas party. Here's a shot of all the kids (minus Campbell)

Now all the kids and Campbell!

All the ladies. We had a great time opening "white elephant" gifts and the ladies had an ornament exchange. We look forward to this every year!