Pre-Christmas Shenanigans

We had so much fun doing all things Christmasy:)  We went to Nanny's house for a cookie decorating day with Anna Beth and Emma. Mom had lots of cookies for them to ice and sprinkle and the girls tuckered out before the cookies ran out, so Mom and I had to help a little. Ainsley just wanted to eat the sprinkles. But it was fun (and a bit messy) 

One of my friends who lives a few streets over, has a Santa come to his house every year. He invites lots of kids over, Santa knocks on the door, comes in, lets each kid sit in his lap and talk to him, then reads them a story. it's really cool. and Ainsley hopped right up in his lap and told him she wanted "an ariel doll with a heart that sings and a mermaid tail". Santa asked her how she grew so much from last year, and she said " I eat my carrots". haha. Parker snuck popcorn out of the kids bowls. 

Mom and Dad got Matt and I (and families) tickets to the Polar Express this year! Ainsley was so excited to go. She was hoping we would see Billy and pick him up, but we told her Billy was already at the North Pole. We took over the back part of one of the trains and the kids had so much fun. Pop chased them around the back and they weren't confined to their seats thankfully. Santa, Mrs Claus, and Frosty all came by to say hi. 

When we got back and the train stopped Ainsley said "we're back at the station Anna Beth we have to get off now".  :)  Dad and I took the kids on our annual shopping trip for Nanny :) It gets less productive every year, but also more fun :) 

Anna Beth came over one morning to make gingerbread houses. They weren't the prettiest. and Ainsley just ate the gumdrops. and parker the walls. but we tried, and it was fun. 

I love the festivities leading up to Christmas!