The holiday season is always a blur of activity! This season we are trying to make an effort to stay grounded and to enjoy the time. There are so many fun things to do... but it gets overwhelming at times. Here are the highlights from the month of December and our holiday prep!
St. Nicholas day brought our Elf Nicholas back to the Utech household. The boys run through the house each morning looking for the Elf. They also talk to the Elf... and tell him things about their behavior... and their brother's behavior. Listening to them laugh at his funny locations and antics makes it all worth it!
Cookies with our Friends the Eversons!
Its was actually amazing how much we got done with 5 kids! Three whole batches of cookies got done... gingerbread men, cut outs and peanut butter blossoms.
Our parents use to take photos of the 5 of us in front of the tree... this was the best we were getting so late in the day... oh well... we will look back and laugh!
Bedtime Stories with Santa
Kisses for his sweet lovey elf!
Allison is totally intrigued with Santa and his bell.... next year I'm sure she will cry!
College Friends Christmas party... water park style!
As the group has grown with so many kids... we decided that it was too big for someones home so we all got rooms and spent the night at the Water Park! It was so much fun and we will for sure be doing it again next year!
Eva and Stella trying to explain to Allie that the cold water was fun!
Ok she decided it was fun!
Ben (cranky because Nathan was holding Allie), Aiden (2), Eva (1), Ethan (3), Nathan (4.5), Allie (4 months), Paige (2), Logan (1), Stella (1) and Lucy (3). We were missing Riley because she was sick.... and baby Leonard #2 who is due soon!
Lounging with her big brother!
The boys!
Santa Baby!
Loving the lights!
We added Allison's Stocking to the mix!!!
A visit to Santa at the Mall of America... last year the boys held signs that said "All we want for Christmas is Baby Utech #3"... and this year here she is! I love Allison's face... she was looking at the crazy lady who was waving toys in her face... "relax lady!"
Allie's play mat was decked out for the holidays!
Our masterpiece! Ben's hand prints are the 4 on the bottom, Nathan's are the 3 on top, Allison's Hand is the star and her foot is the trunk! I love it!
We wanted to volunteer our time this season...so we took the boys Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army. We talked about how we have to help others... how we are very fortunate and how some kids don't get to celebrate the holidays with all the fun things we get to. They thought it was the best... it was a bit cold but they did well! Thank you to Grumpy and Christine for coming to visit us!
Holiday Market Minneapolis
I ventured to Minneapolis to check out the new German Market! It was a fun night out with some really great friends! We tried out the mulled wine, did a little shopping, stopped by to see the reindeer and at some yummy German food! A fun new tradition!
Holiday Lights Display!
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Play with Ben's Preschool friends at the Stages Theater! It was soooo cute... we saw Llama Llama Holidaydrama last year and it was cute... this was BETTER! The kids loved it... even Allison who was all but perfect during the play!
Nathan the Elf
Meeting the cast of the play and getting autographs!
GIFT for Siblings! Each year we have the boys pick out gifts for each other... I love seeing what they pick! There is definite method to their madness! And this year they were very excited to pick out something for Allison too! Plus they love helping wrap their secret and special gifts!
Twas the night before Christmas....
And to all a good night!
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