Christmas Eve

This morning we went to Winter Wonderland in Toledo. It has a bunch of holiday displays set up, a train ride and you can visit Santa which we still needed to do so it worked well (Good idea Pat!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After all of this excitement, we headed home for lunch and naps before going to Mass. After Mass we headed down to Perrysburg for a Xmas Eve celebration with Brett's brother and his family. The kids were SO excited to see their cousins.

 

 

After a fabulous time at their house, we came home to put out reindeer food and cookies for Santa and get ready for a good night's sleep!

 

Getting Ready for Christmas

My goal this year was to make as many gifts possible or buy from local/etsy craftspeople. One of the most exciting presents we made was some cheeseboards. I designed the template using inspiration and instruction from Censational Girl. Then, Brett did the woodworking, sanding and oiling. They turned out beautiful!!!!!

We went and picked up the wood at a local salvage yard.

And here is the finished product!!! We made 5 different designs. Hope all of the recipients enjoyed:)

 

 

The other thing we made as a gift was some butterfly footprints that I originally found on Pinterest.  They turned out so cute and I think my Aunt Lu really liked them!

Before leaving for Ohio today, we had to finish up our advent tree from Papo and Nonna Barbara. It looks so great all put together.

 Flash spent his last day with us in 2011 hanging out on the calendar

We also let the kids open one present. I think this is a new tradition we will start. Because we travel for Christmas, we will do our family exchange when we get home. This year they got new DVD players and a DVD.

 Off to Ohio. Let the Christmas fun begin!!!!!

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Hanukkah to all of our Jewish friends out there:) Our neighbor Merle is Jewish and invited Owen over to help light the first candle.

He had lots of fun and was really interested in learning about the different traditions and part of the Jewish celebration.

 

 

We are off to Ohio on Friday for some Christmas fun!!!!

HohoHoliday Spirit- Part 2

We continued today on all of our holiday prepping. All the presents are wrapped so it was time to start baking!!!

We made Butter Cookies and Cake Balls (YUM!)

While we were baking, the kids had fun playing in their tent that we had not gotten out in awhile.

 

Then, we made candy cane reindeer for Owen's class.

Painted the ornaments we made yesterday.

 

 

 

We also finished up our secret gift which we'll share with everyone after Christmas when they have been given out:) So excited for the actual day to get here but will be a little sad when it's over!!!