I Just Can't Stand It

I've been a busy little elf. Baking, sewing, crafting & so much more. But I just can't handle it anymore! I want to show what I've been up to!! Most of my goodies are going to blog readers so I haven't been sharing. So I decided that I can post just little tiny peeks at the goods. It will tide me over for now.

Christmas Time = Sugar, Sugar, Sugar

O it just wouldn't be Christmas without a gingerbread house. Grandma & Riley tackled that earlier this month. He always wants to go candy heavy and she wants to make it look nice. They made a good compromise!

Then, Kolbi & her friend Matt wanted to try too. I offered no help - they were on their own.

They totally gave up & decided to eat it!

I thought i'd add some pictures of my tree getting decorated. We did this at the very beginning of the month. I love the tree this year, it's in a new place in the house and for the first time since we've been here it is right in front of the window. I just love that. Also, Kolbi & Riley were excellent tree decorators this year. They worked together and got all the ornaments placed very well & didn't fight!

Lewis, the helper.

The Train, An Elf & Some Treats

The North Pole Express was fun. I thought it could of been a little fancier but the kids had an absolute blast and that's all that matters. We went to the 'North Pole' and Santa was pretty awesome - he even rode the train back with us so the kids got a little one on one with him. I had camera battery issues and only got a few pics but luckily, Nichole was there to save the day. These are the shots that I did get (and yes, I've already ordered a rechargeable battery for my new camera)!

The 'Elves' and carolers on the train were absolutely wonderful! Stories and songs and tons of fun.

Kolbi & I baked all evening yesterday. She was making goodies to pass out to her friends at school today - I just love that. We made caramel chocolate chip cookies and chocolate cupcakes with almond glaze.

I absolutely can't forget to mention... Minty arrived last night. As is his style, he brought books on his arrival. Wonder what kind of mischief he'll get into tonight?!

O It's Almost Time For Our Elf!

This package arrived on the 1st!

It's from our Elf, Minty Tinsel Toes, you remember him from last year right?! Riley almost jumped out of his pants when he figured out who it was from. It was a set of advent calendars for Kolbi & Riley to count down the days until Minty arrives. Looks like we are in for some elf mischief starting on the 15th!

{check out her knowing smirk}

And the holiday festivities have totally begun. The night light parade has come and gone. It is full on snowing here and it feels like Christmas! I feel like the month is just slipping through my fingers but I'm trying hard not to let it. We are headed off to do the North Pole Express tonight and Riley will get to meet Santa at the North Pole! We've never been on a train ride so it should be exciting. Kolbi decided not to go -party pooper- so she is going to hang out with Grandma (after she gets off work). Ok, so finishing this post up with some shots from the parade :)

My camera battery died and Riley wouldn't pose for pics so I'm low on kid shots :(

A Milestone

Kolbi is.... 15..... can you believe it???!!! I'm so sad, happy, worried, relieved, proud. It's too much, do you think it will be easier when Riley turns 15? I wonder, maybe it will be harder - o the horror, harder! I can't even think about it!

On to happier topics! We had an mini birthday party - mini decorations, mini hats, mini plates, mini cups, mini pizzas, mini marshmallows to dip in the {not mini} chocolate fountain. It was ADORABLE - if I do say so myself. The teens got a little out of control and made quite the mess but I think it's because Kolbi exudes a free spirit vibe and they think anything is a go, even chocolate all over the kitchen floor. It was messier than Lilly's 5 year old party! By the next day I had mopped my kitchen floor 3 times and it was finally starting to look better.

The Thankful Jar

We got some great 'thankfulls' from our jar project at Thanksgiving....

Among many others, these are my favorites:

I am thankful for Kolbi's sense of humor - Melanie

I am thankful for having two of my brothers here to spend Thanksgiving with - Nichole

I am thankful for the New Moon CD - Robby

I am thankful for my patient wife - Justin

We are thankful that we could come to Idaho and visit family - Rhett, Charlotte & Bryce

I am thankful for everything - Lexi

I am thankful for Rhett - Riley

I am thankful for my dad - Preston

I am thankful for black Friday - Nichole (I second that!)

I am thankful for chicken mcnuggets - Kolbi

I am thankful for Melanie & Nichole always taking pictures - Charlotte (I am glad someone is!)

I am thankful for Kolbi & Riley - Lilly

I am thankful that Chris is always here to entertain us - Melanie

I am so glad that we did this project this year. I have hung the garland up in my kitchen and will bring it out year after year. We thought of funny ones and touching ones and this might be my favorite decoration :)

Tradition

Thanksgiving with family. We were so lucky this year to have a full house for Thanksgiving. Rhett, Charlotte & Bryce came from North Dakota to visit. Add the Fogles' (of course) and that equals a fun and maybe a little rambunctious day! I got lots of candid shots of crazy faces and laughs - I love it.

Bryce - checking out the food

Lexi & Riley coloring on the placemats

Rhett & I being goofy

Even Kloe is making crazy faces!

Chris & Rhett - fighting over who gets the first piece of pie?!

Kolbi & Justin - father, daughter moment.

Kolbi & Robby - smiling for the camera!

It's never a problem to get Kolbi & Lexi to pose.

This is Riley's dinner - soo picky.

A shot of me working on the food.

Awww - Kloe & Kolbi

Some rough housing on the trampoline!

Kolbi's fancy dinner.

The best group shot I got!

Steve is wearing a bow tie for the occasion.