Merry Christmas!

What a great Christmas! We love this time of year and the spirit of giving!

This year instead of exchanging sibling gifts in my family we found a family in need and provided gifts to them. My sister-in-law was great to make the contact and organize the activity. We shopped for a family that had 5 boys to get them gifts and we included a ham, turkey, potatoes, stuffing, and cookies for a treat. Then we got together as a family and wrapped the presents. Then the young kids ding-dong-ditched it outside their door. I am really glad we did it!

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve was spent making goodies with our little family. Then we had a simple dinner at my mom's house - ham, potatoes, veggies, etc. It was my mom, Mindee, and us. We attempted a gingerbread train, but the decorating with candies didn't work out so well. Of course Christmas isn't complete without a little singing around the piano!

Then Kelley, Seoul, and I went to look at lights around some neighborhoods. Seoul loves the choo choo trains that are lit up! She identified Santa Claus everywhere and asked for more. At home she wrote a letter to Santa with Kelley's help and picked out cookies to leave out. We even left a red light bulb on Santa's plate in case Rudolph needs a spare :) Of course Seoul got to open one gift and she happened to open Sponge Bob jammies, which were a huge hit (thanks Dubbee)!

CHRISTMAS DAY

Seoul woke up around 7:30 AM, as usual. We got her excited to go see what Santa brought her... the big gift was an easel, which she loves! Then it was on to stockings and other gifts. She had fun unwrapping presents and played with everything before opening another gift. It was such fun with a toddler!

Late that morning we had brunch at Evan & Dana's house... always a delicious spread where we eat far too much! We did gift exchange with the aunts/uncles/nieces/nephews/parents.

After visiting and playing there for a while, the family split into their separate ways. We went home and Kelley prepared a fabulous of meal of what he calls "Turacon" - bacon wrapped turkey. Supposedly his grandma used to make it. It was a small piece of heaven! We also had potatoes, homemade gravy, homemade rolls, veggies, and cider. MmMm! (Unfortunately we failed to get a picture of the final COOKED product - oops!)

My dad visited with us for a while. Seoul wanted back into her Sponge Bob jammies and she just played with Grandpa. Good times!

It was such a nice Christmas! I am so appreciative of how blessed we are. It's nice to really reflect on the birth of our Savior and what He has done for us.

Other Christmas Activities

Advent Calendar

Seoul LOVED the advent calendar we got from Kelley's mom. There are little toys to hang up in Santa's workshop for each day. She lived for the time Kelley got home from work and they'd get the next piece out. Even after Christmas she asked for it... and was SO sad when we had to put it all away until next year.

Gingerbread House

For FHE one night we surprised Kelley with a gingerbread house kit from Target. Seoul was SO excited for him to come home so we could put it together. In her world, that meant eating all the candy :)

I admit it was quite the learning experience for me to let a small child touch everything and "do it herself"! Kelley had to remind me that it was OK that it wasn't perfect. Seoul had so much fun and I think it turned out very cute. (The downside was that she had lots of candy so maybe that is why she had difficulty going to bed that night!)

Christmas Goodies

Kelley, Seoul, and I made sugar cookies. Seoul is in love with sprinkles and yellow frosting! Kelley is a pro at CUTE decorated sugar cookies whereas I just smear one color frosting with some sprinkles on top.

Christmas Dress

Or should I say New Years Dress? Haha! I'm a terrible procrastinator in the first place and with this big belly it made it even harder to finish it in time. Either way it got done. (With two girls I better start in October!) Seoul had a ball talking about her "new dress" with each part that I finished. I am pleased with the way it turned out and she seems to love it.

Bodice & first sleeve

Bodice and first ruffle (although obviously not sewn together yet).

The finished product. Love it!

Seoul likes to cook!

These days Seoul is very into standing on the step stool and helping make anything and everything! Of course that includes sampling everything... multiple times. Better make sure it's good before we all consume it, right?

Here she is helping me make crumb cake - yum!

Seoul and Grandma were making & frosting cookies for Christmas.

This time Kelley and Seoul were making delicious enchiladas for dinner to give me a break - thanks guys! I love how she looks to daddy for approval as she adds the cheese and chicken.

What a good little helper we have!

Choo Choo Train!

Kelley discovered the Lowe's Build and Grow Clinics. He took us to help Seoul build a choo choo train over a series of 3 weeks. Seoul had a lot of fun hammering and putting the tiny nails in the tiny holes.

First week was the caboose:

Second week was the passenger car:

The last week was the engine. Too bad we got there late and they were out of supplies. I was REALLY bummed that we couldn't complete her 3-car set. SO, the cool daddy that he is, Kelley found it online and it was delivered to our house a few days ago and we put it together.

Now we have a complete set!