Pre-Christmas activities

Parker had his darling Preschool Christmas Program on the 6th of December. All of his in-town grandparents attended so he had a good little fan-base going for him in the audience.

He once again did great and sang his little heart out. He also (once again) refused to wear his hat.

See him in the big group picture? He's on the far right... not hard to pick out. Yep, the only one without his Santa cap. Oh well, we were just glad to see him up there participating. :)
Afterwards we took advantage of one of Chris' scarce nights off and headed over to Thanksgiving Point with Grandma and Grandpa Hansen to see the Thanksgiving Point lights and Santa's Reindeer. Always a fun outting - especially when Grandma treats to yummy cookies inside the Emporium!

In going down our list of "Must Do's" for Christmas we also of course hit the mall for a visit with Santa...My kids have never cried for their annual lap sitting with the Big Man. I thought this year would be the year that Emmie might freak, but she not only willingly but happily sat on his lap and let him know that she wants a kitty for Christmas (not a real kitty, Santa).

& Parker was all smiles and proudly let Santa know that he would like "one of those vidoe game thingy's that you hold"...(aka a Leapster, please, Santa).

& they walked away with candy canes... Oh wait --no-- big chocolate suckers. Apparently Santa gave up the candy canes for large, messy brown suckers that drip brown goup all over visitor's carefully chosen Santa outfits....but in exchange for those big grins what mom could mind? (As long as she's armed with a plethora of wipes that is...)

...& these two (three I should say) have been loving the build up to Christmas. A few activities included have been: tearing apart the Christmas trees to which I have given up on fixing, singing "Jeen-ju-bells" as Emmie calls it & "Once there was a Snowman", watching the old-school version of the "Grinch" and "Rudolph" and never missing a day of their much anticipated chocolate advent calendars (thanks Gpa Todd).

Merry Christmas!