Post-Christmas Fun

Here are some fun things we got to squeeze in before the 2016 ended:

Ok, so he's not having so much fun, but he sure is a cutie!

Elisa and matching dolly! She refuses to wear most things I make her nowadays.

I took the kiddos to the mall for fun during their Christmas break.  I would have liked to let them all ride the train, but I thought $25 was too much for that.  Instead, I let Gabe ride and we all got to eat at Johnny Rockets, for less that what I would have paid for us to all ride the train.  And that included a shake upgrade for miss Elisa!

I went to check on Gabe one night and I found him dressed like this.  It was 10:30 pm.  The real Gabe actually went to sleep and Super Mario took over the night shift.

New Year's wasn't much.  We didn't plan much for New Year's Eve and when I tried to invite some people over (at the last minute) they couldn't come so we just had some cheese balls and did a couple of fireworks.  They were slightly lame, considering they were $10.  It was more of a $3 show. Erik had to work the next morning and we're old with kids, so we went to bed not much after 10 pm.

Christmas 2016!

Here are the pictures from Christmas 2016! I was so excited to watch the kids open their presents!  I'm sure they were even more excited! I think we went to an hour of church and then came home to open presents. 

Elisa, opening her Santa gift, which was a bunch of little babies with baby gear such as a stroller, bathtub, swing, etc...

Gabe, opening his Santa gift.  It was a build-your-own computer game kit, complete with 5,000 little cubes that I step on everyday and that Ian pops in his mouth like skittles.

Helping Ian open his stocking

Gabe got some little trains from great Grandma Brenda.  He loved them!

He was "so embarrassed" to get (and like) this Pokemon gift.  Sometimes Gabe is so silly that he borders on strange. 

My sweet, creative Gabe made Lego pictures for everyone. 

Elisa, opening her tent gift from Grandma

Ian, playing with his gift from Aunt Lisa, a Thomas the Train bouncy ball

Another "embarrassing" Pokemon gift, from Aunt Lisa

Shopkins from Aunt Lisa!

Erik opening the gift that he bought himself (golf clubs) that I wrapped for him

Daddy helping Ian open a present.

Erik, opening his present

Erik's present to his dad.  The kids thought it was hilarious!

Christmas dinner.  Yum!

Trying out the ride-on train. 

Gabie having fun with Grandpa

We had a fun Christmas this year!  We all got spoiled

Christmas Song 2016

Here is our Christmas video for 2016!  I let the kids pick out which song they want to sing, and they both picked Frosty the Snowman. We did soooo many takes.  By the end the kids were grumpy and tired and it showed through their singing. So after all of those takes, I went with the very first, even though it cut off (darn phone ran out of space).  But, its long enough and the kid's singing is adorable.  I can't wait until Ian is old enough to sing in the videos! And maybe, just maybe, they'll all harmonize with each other, too. Oh, that would make my heart so happy!  But for now, I just love hearing these two cuties sing.  It is the cutest, sweetest thing in the world to me.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

 ...or a couple days.  Here are some random fun happenings:

Gabe is so funny, even if it is unintentional.  Can you spot the Irony?  

 Some gingerbread cookies.  I've made them from scratch the past couple of years, but it was a no-brainer to buy the mix when it was $1.50 and just the molasses itself was $6.  The kids really like these, especially when I decorate them!

 Elisa's present from me! I picked up an 18" dolly from Joanns Black Friday sale, and had a blast making her dolly clothes that matched Elisa's clothes.  I didn't think I'd like making dolly clothes as much I did.  They are such a cute and quick sew!

 The kids waiting for the bus on pajama day!

 Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Makayla came over to celebrate Christmas! They bought Gabie his Christmas gingerbread train.  It stood on its own just long enough to take this picture.  The kids ate some and then I threw the rest away!

 The kids opening their Christmas books from Grandma!

 Ian, at Crackerbarrel

The mass amount of presents! 

Pranked!

Since I'm a mean mom, I decided to give the kids a little prank when as soon as they walked in the door from school.  I decided a few seconds before they came to the door.  I was on my way to throw away a couple of dirty diapers of Ian's from upstairs, when I saw a little empty box under the Christmas tree.  Heh heh. Perrrrrfect [insert evil laugh].  I told them that I had a little present for them.  Here is the video:

Mmmm, smell those dirty diapers!

Since I'm a nice mom, I decided to make up for my "mean" prank by pranking them yet again, this time with a nice prank!  A big box with a little REAL present in it for them.  Heh heh.  They didn't believe me.  Here is the video: 

Gabe got a Yoshi shrinky dink keychain and Elisa got a butterfly shrinky dink necklace!