My favorite moments from christmas

I can't believe this magical fun time of year is over.

These three little kiddos are at the perfect age for the magic.

Every morning I would have a wrapped Christmas book for each of them to open and a little treat or craft for them to enjoy while I made breakfast.

How could you not love December?

This was my favorite craft. They unwrapped the gingerbread house kit on the 22nd and where in pure sugar rush heaven all day.

I eventually had to put it up high and out of reach from the Queen of sugar, Molly.

This was the funnest craft to watch her do.

She really took an interest in those cute little snowman cutouts.

I tried making peppermint marshmallows this year.

They are surprisingly yummy.

Once again Colin and I where the only two people still awake on Christmas eve.

It has become our little secret tradition.

Its a nice quiet time for us to chat while he writes a super sweet note to Santa and we decide what things he should leave out for Santa to see.

Molly was more amazed by the magical footprints left behind then the presents he left behind.

Once everything was torn open it was time for eggs and cinnamon rolls.

Yummy!

Up late and early to rise makes for a very sleepy/bitter Molly.

She is still so cute.

Time to build.

Once we where done lounging at home we headed north to my sisters.

It was the perfect afternoon. 

The kiddos spent most of the day outside riding their new bikes.

And sweet Emilie would sneak in every once in awhile to help me make noodles.

Molly's bike this year was a smoke-in fast stroller.

Emilie's gift from us was my favorite.

She got her very own Canon camera.

I love up-loading them at the end of the day to see what she sees.

Here are some of my favorites.

Emilie was the only one that took a picture of the advent calender that our amazing friend Samantha gave them.

She even captured the yummy, goodness of our cinnamon rolls.

Love this one so much. 

Thank you Emilie!!

And this one of Colin and Grammy.

My Christmas cactus bloomed on Christmas day this year.

That is pretty damn special. It has never bloomed before Jan. 1st.

Thank you Christmas Cactus.

Colin's favorite gift.

It has been 3 days since Christmas and he is still playing with it non stop.

Emilie woke up this morning with the stomach flu so going to the store was out of the question which made this little helicopter pilot very happy.

That meant more air time for him.

And lots of games for all of us. 

This LEGO game was a ton of fun.

But molly played my favorites with me. 

Connect 4 and princess memory game.

Tomorrow is another day closer to the new year.

Time is going way too fast.

Happy birthday!

This little cutie turned 7 this weekend.

(Pictures from Colin's 1st birthday)

I can't believe that he is 7.

I can't believe I have a 7 year old.

He is such an amazing, kind, funny, smart boy.

For the last 3 of his birthdays we have either been in Hawaii or Mexico.

When it came time to plan his big day his first question was "where are we going this year for my birthday?"

Sorry kiddo.

 This year we are staying home.

But, you can have 4 friends over for a fun sleepover.

As his friends arrived he really wanted them to have a Lego t-shirt that they could make themselves.

He even made one for Molly.

Of all of the games we played, frogs in a cup was the funnest to watch.

The movie choice was made by Doug. 

Thunderbirds are go!

It was a movie Doug use to watch as a kid and the boys got a huge kick out of it.

He really wanted a Lego cake.

The only thing I could think of was to make 4 small different colored cakes, cut them into little rectangles and then piece them all together into the shape of a seven and cover it all up with white frosting.

It actually turned out pretty good.

Those where the only candles I could find. Thankfully my kids are use to that sort of thing and just roll with.

They are awesome like that..

After cake for breakfast everyone headed out to the park for some nurf time.

One of my favorite things was the personalized Jone's soda we had made for him.

There was even room on the back for a message to him.

Love, love, love JONES soda!

We lucked out and had a groupon for buy one case get one free.

Once all of his friends went home he was able to start in on many days of Lego building.

His party with friends was a week before his actual big day. 

His family party that was the night before his birthday and was at my sisters home.

Thank you Ann Marie for letting us take over your home!

 You are an amazing Auntie and sister!

I love this picture. 

I love how young he looks.

LEGO's, LEGO's and some more LEGO's

The first birthday that he doesn't want a LEGO set will be so sad for me.

What age do you think that will be?

I couldn't resit getting a picture of the girls with my sisters dog Louie.

Molly's hair always looks messed up.

 I really need to deal with that....

Thank you G-mama!!

I'm sure LEGO's will be bought with this!

We love and miss you tons!!!

The next morning was finally the big day!

He was officially 7

And one more set of LEGO's

And one more day of building.

While Colin built Doug and Molly read us a fun story.

Pancakes shaped liked present for breakfast and one more happy birthday song.

His last surprise was a trip to the motorcycle show with dad.

Poor Doug had to pry the LEGO's out of Colin's hands to get him to go. Once Colin found out where they where going he was super excited!

That night the kiddo got to spend the night with my mom and Doug and I got to spend the night having a ton of fun at a holiday party.

Thank you Grammy!

Now its time to get ready for Christmas...