Countdown 25

Today we made snowman soup for some gifts for friends. I found a cute poem on the Internet (there are lots of different versions). Courtney and I decorated some bags to put all the supplies in!

Countdown 26

Today we salvaged a pumpkin and painted him into a snowman! Add a scarf and he looks pretty cute!

Countdown 27

Today we had our first hot chocolate party! It's not much different than just a regular old night having cocoa. I just make the display of treats more appealing!

Countdown: 28

Today we painted mugs for our upcoming hot chocolate parties! I had pinned an idea on Pinterest and gathered the supplies but when I went back to really read the directions it said that really only the black sharpie stays on...too bad. At least we were able to draw some cute pics to use for our first party! Maybe it will work for us!
Courtney LOVES to draw lately and I think she did awesome on her grinch and Max as well as her Santa!

8 months old!

Ryan is changing like crazy! He went from rocking on his knees to crawling to pulling up and in the last few days has started cruising! WOW! He is eating rice cereal with several different fruits and veggies and lots and lots of puffs! He loves a sippy cup with water (even though he can't really work it without help). He isn't too interested in toys these days (perfect timing with Christmas coming up, right?) but loves to crawl and try and get into EVERYTHING! He loves pulling up to things and being held. He is really working on some teeth, although he still doesn't have any. We are excited for all the firsts that come with the upcoming holidays and spending two weeks home with my sweet little guy! 

Countdown: 29

Today we went to see Santa at Bass Pro! The line was super short (thank goodness with Ryan)! He didn't cry, but did stare at Santa and had a hard time looking at the camera because he was mesmerized with who was holding him! This is the best picture I could get, although the free pic they gave us was pretty good.  Courtney told Santa that she wanted LaLaLoopsy dolls. I'm glad she didn't do a last minute switch up since that's already what Santa got her!!

They added a carousel this year with moose and polar bears. Courtney was super excited to get the only polar bear :)  We did have to fill out a waiver before she could ride. Wow. 

Countdown: 30

Snowman donuts! These were super easy and cute! It was an extra special treat for court are you because I don't think we have EVER had donuts for breakfast!

Countdown: 31

Today we went to Whoville at City Market! They had a cute room set up like the living room of a Who house for pictures with the grinch, a bounce house, a slide (mount krumpet) and tons of crafts tables. Courtney got to make a crazy hat, play with Grinchy green play dough, make ornaments and a grinch mask. She had a great time!

 

Christmas countdown

I saw an image on Pinterest of a countdown that looked super cute. I took the image and made it my own!! There are 32 days between thanksgiving and Christmas this year so Dan and I came up with 32 small gifts/activities/outings and crafts to make this year special for Courtney.

Here is our list of all the fun things we are doing: 

32. Watch "The Grinch" and make Grinch punch

31. Go to Whoville at City Market

30.  Snowman Donuts

29.  Go see Santa!

28. Decorate mugs for hot chocolate

27. Hot chocolate party

26. Paint snowman pumpkin

25. Make snowman soup for friends

24. Ornament making and dinner at church for Hanging of the Green

23. Make snowman pizza

22. New Christmas book

21. Make Christmas scent bags for friends

20. Peppermint pedicure

19.  Write letter to Santa

18. Hot chocolate party + Christmas movie

17. Santa Breakfast at church

16. Gingerbread book + gingerbread crafts

15. Go look at Christmas lights

14. Snowman cupcakes

13. Make gingerbread houses

12. Make cotton ball snowman

11. Make and decorate sugar cookies

10. Gingerbread mangers

9. Hot chocolate party + Christmas movie

8.  New Christmas book

7. Read Polar Express with crafts

6. Train Ride to Crown Center (Polar Express Day)

5. New Christmas book and Christmas Dance Recital

4. Christmas movie with popcorn

3. Christmas waffles/Gojo's/Christmas with family

2. Christmas with family

1. Make elf donuts and cookies for Santa

So here is our first day! We watched The Grinch and made Grinchy punch (sprite and green sherbet).

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year I am so thankful for my complete little family now that Ryan is here!

Ryan's feast: rice cereal, green beans, puffs and milk!

Chocolate and Raspberry trifles!

I asked all our family to send me things they were thankful for. I baked them into crescent rolls and when anyone ate one, they read it out loud to the group. We guessed who said what! It was a holiday version of the fortune cookie. 

We had our Thanksgiving with the McClain's on Sunday! Jody and Terry made a delicious meal!  Yum!