The 12 Days Of Christmas - Maybe A Few More...

In true fashion, we got out as much as possible leading up to the holidays.  Since I didn't want to post about Christmas all the way into March, here is one big summary post!

Our first holiday outing was to the Stages Theater in Hopkins to see Junie B. Jones, Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, and PS, So Does May.  It was very well done and funny.  And our company fantastic!  These girls have been like cousins since they were babies.

After the play, the girls got their Playbills signed by the cast.  This is May, the girl who is always getting Junie B in trouble.

The cast was so very friendly.  Mr. Stinky even posed with our little ladies!

And, of course, Junie B, herself!  I hope this becomes a yearly tradition!

Heidi also finished another session of skating lessons.  She really is better than me and is starting to gain on her dad!  She is looking forward to starting Hockey next winter.

Shawn and Heidi made this awesome lawnmower out of Fiddlestix.  It was a huge hit with the kids at our Dessert Party that weekend.

I find it very difficult to visit with everyone during our parties and I almost always completely forget to take pictures.  I need to work on that!

The Second Annual Dessert Party was a total blast even though the weather was not great.  Lots of people turned out and even more food.  I hope everyone had as much fun as we did!

We picked out our Christmas tree.  Heidi has a knack for finding a perfect tree. 

We cleared and played in epic amounts of Autumn snow, which is something this family loves.

We discontinued Daisy's Chemo Therapy after a bad reaction that took almost three weeks for her to recover from.  She went from laying around like this...

to running around and playing like this.  We know we made the right decision!

Heidi danced in her classes holiday show.  She takes it very seriously!

The class learned two ballet and two tap dances for the Holiday show.  They all did a great job!

What a cute class!

Pig got in his required amount of sleep, and then some!  Unlike the rest of the family, Pig does not like the snow.

Every year, we take in the Macy's display with Pam, Hunter, and Pat.  Now that Macy's owns that store, it's is the same display but the kids seem to take in different things each year.  I wonder what deep topic they are discussing...

This is the first year Heidi and Hunter visited Santa without one of them crying or refusing to sit on his lap.  They were happy to personally tell him what they wanted.

And they followed the personal plea up with a written letter.

The grown ups enjoy a little shopping after the display. And the kids do their best to entertain themselves.  And us!

Finally, we dressed Heidi up like this and went to the Holidazzle Parade because our friends were on the Wizard of Oz float.  It was a nice night to be outside, as long as you kept your hat and mittens on.

The Holidazzle Parade is after dark so everyone and every float is adorned with lights.  The parade it's self is about 20 minutes and the atmosphere is so fun everyone forgets how cold they are.

I hope you all take some time over the holidays to just relax and enjoy your family.  No matter what winter holiday you celebrate, remembering your family and loved ones is what this time of year is all about.

Happy Holidays Everyone!