Holiday Traditions

For our family it really is all about the traditions that make the holidays so special and magical. I started a new tradition this year. We seem to have hit a bit of bad luck where everything is breaking and Murphy's Law has been in full effect.
We are all happy and healthy which is all that really matters. However, I was watching the Today Show and they were decorating a tree. The designer said that it is believed that a bird on your Christmas tree is supposed to bring luck. Sooooo I decided I had better pick one up ASAP! I found this pretty little peacock and he will be dawning our Christmas tree from here on out. Mason has been loving him and pets it everyday.

Family shopping night. The boys were soooo excited when I told them we were doing family shop night. It always consists of a nice dinner out, picking out presents for each other, and riding around looking at Christmas lights.

Me, Conner, and Zack paired up and when we entered the electronic game section Zack got so excited he started to shake and was stuttering when he tried to talk. Conner and I were laughing so hard! Can you tell that kid is a gamer? The boys were so cute running around picking things out. They kept asking me, "Do you think he will like it?"

The boys didn't want to pose for a picture. They just wanted to get out of the door for family shop night. We found some cool lights again this year. One house in particular was fabulous. Mason is still talking about it and asking to go back to the "dancing house". It was all set up to music and simply spectacular.

Gingerbread houses have been a tradition for as long as I can remember. I think it is one my mom started when I was in the 3rd grade! The boys love decorating their houses. Conner is even getting more into it and took forever to get his done!

Victor always picks me out the prettiest centerpiece for the kitchen table. This year he won one at his work Christmas party! He did have his pick and I love the one he choose!
And then there are the sugar cookies! I swear we really do have the best recipe. My sister Jennifer posted the recipe on her blog if you would like to try it.
Zack was totally into the decorating. He was getting so upset with Mason because he was making a mess. He would say, "Mason! Stop being goofy! We are decorating so make it look good!"
Naturally Mason was all about good stuff. Can you blame him?
And the very best part of decorating cookies. . . why eating your creation of course!
Well Christmas is only a week away and we are looking forward to more fun family traditions. Merry Christmas to all!

Elf On Our Shelf

Meet Candy Cane, the new temporary member of our family.

Last year Victor and I heard about a thing called Elf on the Shelf. Christmas was only a week away so we planned for it this year. For those of you who not familiar with Elf on the Shelf it is a little elf that is sent to your family from Santa. Each night the elf flies home to report if the children have been naughty or nice. You are not supposed to touch the elf because he will lose his magic to fly. Every morning when the kids wake up the elf is in a new spot.

I wrapped it all up and snuck out to set at the door and when Victor arrived home from work he found a package at our door delivered to the boys from Santa! (Naturally Victor was in on the plan).

The boys hurriedly unwrapped it to see what was inside.

We read the book that explains everything to the boys and they picked his name. Originally they wanted to name him Conner :) but we told them we already had a Conner in the house so they had to pick something different. The boys settled on Candy Cane.

We have had a lot of fun finding Candy Cane each morning. One afternoon I found Mason with a chair pushed over trying to get the elf. I asked him what he was doing and he said, "My going to get Candy Cane". (The boys always say "my" when they refer to themselves instead of me or I). I asked why he needed Candy Cane and reminded him we are not supposed to touch him. Mason responded, "My going to hide him". I asked why on earth he was going to hide him and he said, "For he no tell Santa my be naughty!" I laughed and asked him if he had been naughty to which he replied, "Just little bit".

We also got a huge amount of snow this week! They even cancelled school. We are snow people and love every inch of it. The second the boys see a snowflake they are begging to get outside and play. We had a fun snow day and are looking forward (wishing, praying, dreaming) to more
just like it.

Our cute little nephew came over and spent the day with us. They were outside ALL day!

Victor and I just got some new snowshoes. I thought he was kidding when he said he was going to go out and give them a test run. Guess he wasn't kidding!

Mason happy to be along for the ride with dad.

I had to share this picture. I always try to convince Victor I really am an angel. Do you love my light halo? hee hee We were headed off to our first of very many Christmas parties. We love them and look forward to them all.