Whirlwind holidays

We are just weeks away from the fat mans arrival and I suddenly feel like this entire year just slipped right by. That overwhelming sensation of being unorganized, unprepared, and completely caught off guard by December took a tight hold of me this weekend. Luckily the kids don't know what plans I had to make this year spectacular so their expectations will remain low. Probably for the best.
We did make our chocolate covered pretzels this weekend.

We also made a gingerbread house.

And I played with my new camera some more.

Ashley learned to climb into her push toy.

And Ashley got a booster seat and now sits at the table with us.

Buster is most excited.

Yes... the dog is wearing a coat. And it has skulls on it. It's okay to laugh.

We will be visiting Santa on Sunday. Faith is beyond excited. I reminded her last week that she needed to behave because Santa was watching. This reminder actually came during one of her not so great 4 year old moments. And I'm pretty sure I said something more like "You better knock it off because you are not behaving and Santa is watching". And I'm sure it was in an angry, not very nice tone.
So she says "Yea, but God is watching YOU!".
Gulp.

God certainly trumps Santa.

Little stinker.

We are also preparing for a 15 hour car ride to see Mimi and Pops in Alabama. We are praying that Mimi gets released from MD Anderson and gets to head home for Christmas. If this happens, we hope to go see them at New Years. Fingers crossed! The idea of taking a 15 hour car ride with the children who ask 10 times "are we there yet" enroute to Walmart 6 miles away is a little less than appealing. But the idea of getting to see Mimi (Leukemia free!) and ring in the New Year with Mimi and Pops is incredibly exciting!

Time to get the girls in bed. We need to sprinkle our Elf with dust first. That silly elf has returned again this year and is doing all sorts of silly things! Nothing quite like waking up to Faith laughing about her Elf that she wishes was a girl. I love these kids.