Christmas Eve-Goodbye Pinocchio the Elf

This year is not a white Christmas. Is it wrong for me to say I'm not sad about that at all?

I felt a little pressure since this is our first Christmas away from home. All in all, aside from missing our families, it went well! We went to see The Chipmunks and then went to a park to play. We came home and I got dinner ready while these guys played outside.

Bad picture, but I had to document.

This little girl hung out here:

We had dinner, which I am thrilled to say turned out good. Best meat, Sweet and Tangy Brisket, I've ever cooked in my life (which isn't saying much, but this was amazing according to Ben's high standards). And on that - I didn't use a Brisket - the very essence of the meal. But I didn't know what brisket was and I just had a chuck roast. It still turned out amazing.

Then after dinner we opened a movie from grandma Sylvia, "The Polar Express." Cody was thrilled! I have wanted to give it to him forever, but I thought Christmas would be the perfect time. It was the perfect way to spend Christmas Eve.

Then we read the Christmas story, and the kids opened their Christmas pajamas from Grandma Bonnie. Macey could barely stay awake and went straight to bed after that.

After helping our elf get ready for Christmas, we all, er, I enjoyed the pie I slaved over.

More for me later!

Speaking of elves, we had one come stay at our house for 12 days before Christmas. Cody immediately decided he would be named Pinocchio. Here's some of the things he did:

*Left letters to Santa for Cody and Macey to fill out and then took them to Santa the next night.

*Made cookies.

*Made snowflakes to cover the kitchen table.

*Hung lots of decorations including lights and ornaments. Cody was very specific in saying that he wanted to see new decorations from the elf each day. Pinocchio would get kinda tired at night so the lights were just haphazardly strung around the walls. Eh, they're shiny.

*Made marshmallow snowmen.

*Built a tower out of blocks. Cody would not take this tower down for days.

*Made a door a present.

*Made reindeer cupcakes.

*Built lego spaceships.

*Made a train.

*Sometimes the elf was tired and he just made a sign:

*In the end Cody got smart and started requesting that the elf do certain things, such as make a robot.

*He also of course colored the milk green.

This elf likes building. This has been SO much fun, I can't wait for him to come again next year;)! I have had so much fun getting ready for Christmas, I can't wait to watch the kids this year!!!

I painted my nails for the occasion! pinterest of course. Then, I did the dishes. I suggest doing the dishes, then painting your nails so they stay looking done:)