Pre-Christmas Traditions

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN
First and foremost, my big Christmas project!! I promised I would post it on my blog, so here it is!! I've been wanting a Christmas Countdown and I saw this idea and loved it!! I had to change things several times throughout, but ended with this!!

Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree. How lovely are your branches!
Come to think of it, I don't think I've heard that song at all this year!

One of my favorite things about Christmas is all the traditions we have started with our kids. This is just a few of the big ones we have done so far, lots of little ones we still have yet to do.

In our cute little town of Ridgefield, they have a Christmas Celebration which includes a horse and carriage ride. We waited and waited and barely squeezed us 4 on. Ben opted to walk over with Ave and meet us at the drop-off point. Thanks Dad!!

They bring Santa Claus in as well. We waited for less than 5 minutes and paid $5 for a picture. Definitely beats the hour long wait and $40 at the mall!! Love it!!

ZOO LIGHTS
Here another favorite!! It was freezing cold, but so, so fun!! The lights are really amazing!

Ave had a smile on her face the whole time!! I don't think she could even move while she was in her stroller, but she was probably the warmest out of all of us!!

We had to squeeze together to stay warm on the cold metal seats of the train!

Ave in Ben's arms on the train ride. I had to get a picture of her. She was just hangin'!!

Clay and Ash

Little Monkey!!

I was doing something with her on the counter and she found a banana!!

Gingerbread Houses!!!
A mysterious secret Santa dropped this off at our doorstep. It was deluxe kit, with gingerbread men, a tree and tons of candy!! We had a great time putting it together! (Ben really did have fun, even though the look on his face might make you think otherwise!!)

Sneakin' a little candy!!

The finished product!! Turned out pretty good, for all the tiny hands working on it!!