Happy Holidays! December is here which means we are having "crazy fun" preparing for the holidays while trying to remember the true meaning of Christmas. We always kick off the season with a trip to the tree farm. Our favorite Santa and Mrs. Claus were there, so we made a quick stop to visit. Cooper insisted on sitting on Mrs. Claus' lap (kind of) and I was excited to talk to the boss man.
Caden (me): "Santa, I would like a new black pick-up truck because I am going to give mine to my new cousin Emmett since he doesn't have one!" Santa was very impressed with my generosity and willingness to give. I then said, "I would also like a candy cane!" He quickly granted that wish. I ended with telling him that I have wanted a Dream Light for a long, long time (news to my parents). Santa and I had a very nice conversation.
Cooper kept his distance, but went a wee bit closer when Santa stuck out a candy cane for him. He told Santa that he wanted cars for Christmas (as if we don't have enough of these).
Sitting outside of Santa's cabin
Grammy joined us for the hayride and tree cutting event
Grammy found her tree within 5 minutes unlike our Mom who is EXTREMELY picky and took a good 30 minutes to hunt down the "perfect" Balsam Fir.
We played on their slides and playground area for a few minutes- this is the same place we go for pumpkins and fall fun.
We love Cooper's retro boots :)
When we got home, we tried our Christmas lights. Mommy and Daddy must be getting old as they needed to buy $150 worth of NEW lights this year. While they checked the lights, Caden and I checked the bulbs too (or Cooper's ear did).
We were most excited to put up a mini-Christmas tree in our hallway and our bedrooms are lined along the ceiling with red lights (Cooper) and colorful (my bedroom). My parents dread having to take these down after Christmas as they know it will be a very sad day for us.
Last Sunday, Mommy took pictures of the preschool kids for a special parent gift (framed photo with "Jesus Lights Up My World!") Daddy had to go see a few patients, so Cooper came along to Sunday School with us and did the "me too" the entire time.
Mommy and Dana hosted their annual cookie exchange. This year's theme was hot cocoa. They had tons of platters of cookies- Mommy made the Nutter Butter Santa's and the Peanut Butter reindeer cookies. They had a great turnout and Mommy came home with a yummy assortment of cookies (which she quickly put in the freezer, boo!)
Hot Cocoa Bar
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Cheese/Thyme and Tomato Christmas Tree |
After the cookie exchange, we finally decorated our Christmas tree. We found our favorite ornaments and made our tree beautiful. Each ornament tells a story, some ornaments from when Mommy and Daddy were little and some from special family members who are no longer with us.
Mommy wasn't convinced that my tree photo was my "cutest "smile, so I did this one especially for her.
Cooper was like a bull in a china cabinet- sat and stepped on two OLD ornaments (from when Daddy was a kid) and busted them to pieces "SOOOORRRRRRY!" That didn't fix it.
Me too smiled "cute" for the camera and then tried again.
Sugar plums must have been dancing in Cooper's head..... Mommy captured this "HAPPY POSE" which is what Mom/Dad call the arms over head pose. They didn't realize that toddlers also strike this pose- mostly seen on happily sleeping babies :)
Cooper would not have slept so peacefully had he seen this..... "MOM, do I look like the abominable snowman?!?!" This is my new favorite movie (Rudolph) and also my ammunition against Cooper would screams "MONSTER" if he catches this movie on.
Cooper and I found this most suspicious yet wonderful gift under our tree Sunday morning. It was an elf on the shelf. We named him David ("You know, Mom, like David Gets in Trouble!") David is Santa's informant. He tells him if Cooper and I have been bad or good each day. Santa gets this daily report and then David comes back to our house and is found "somewhere" in our home. We look forward to posting pictures of David sightings!
David is ALWAYS watching us. I asked Mommy why David was always smiling. One thing is for sure, my parents aren't always smiling, so this elf must be tolerant and patient. She said David smiles so kids are not afraid of him. I will have to chew on that for awhile.
We make Mommy read this book a zillion times per day.
Tis the Season for Amanda, our college sitter! Mommy and Daddy had 3 holiday parties in a row last week, so Amanda came to watch us. She took Cooper and I to the Irvine Park walk in the park night. Mommy gave her the "little" camera and whoa, pictures are poor quality (not Amanda's fault at all)- sorry!
If you look closely, Cooper and I are standing in front of the soldier's feet
We also went to Bridge to Wonderland parade downtown to see the floats, get tons of candy and see Santa (above). The Rowe family joined us for the parade- it was a beautiful and warm evening for a change!
Yesterday, we had a MAJOR snowstorm and received 15ish inches of white fluffy snow. Before the snow got too deep, I jumped on my kitty cat and used up a 1/2 tank of gas riding circles around the yard. Oh how I have missed my snowmobile. I was a nice brother (because David was watching) and let Cooper take a FEW spins on it too (Daddy rides with Cooper still).
Per Daddy's childhood tradition, we made sour cream cut-outs last night. Cooper and I were very good helpers in the kitchen- I was a good cutter and Cooper did the dishes (licked them clean). Tonight, we plan to frost and sprinkle them. My Mom can't wait for the mess.
Good thing Mommy reminded Daddy that the cookie dough had eggs in it. Daddy must have forgotten that his brother was hospitalized for food poisoning as a kid from eating raw dough.
Well, that is the latest in from the Klay household. We will be sure to post David sightings and other holiday pictures in the weeks ahead. Enjoy this holiday season!
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