Magic Paper Tree

The boys got this neat little tree as part of a gift from their Auntie Karrie. It was pretty cool to watch it start to eveolve in just a few short minutes. We did it right before bedtime so the boys woke up to quite the surprise in the morning.

Merry Christmas 2011!!

It is so great to have all of my family around for Christmas. It just gets better and better as the kids get older!

The boys were quite concerned about us not having a chimney so it's a good thing Auntie Danica brought this early gift to hang on the front door ;)

*****

Santa must've been full by the time he got to our house so the boys took it upon themselves to clean up the crumbs and eat the remaining cookies in the morning.

*****

Little Mr Mahkai slept through his first Christmas morning!

*****

Graidan zipped himself up into his sweet new hockey bag from Auntie Aimee.

*****

Bahaha....enough said!

*****

The look on my face doesn't quite explain my confusion. Ryan got me a sweet new lense for my camera and this (as I was thinking in my head) just wasn't big enough. What he had done was bought me a coffee cup that looked like a lense and loaded it up with rolled coins to make it heavier. It was so confusing for me.....

Such good times and the kids were so happy with their gifts. Hope everyone had a great Christmas as well!

Advent Countdown: Day 24

Read 'twas The Night Before Christmas

Advent Countdown: Day 23

Make Cookies to Leave for Santa

The kids decorationg their sugar cookies

*****

Their delicious creations

*****

Advent Countdown: Day 22

Deliver Present to the People that are Moulding our Youth as a Thank-You For All They Do

I bought these shadow boxes at Hobby Lobby for 50% off. I didn't love the coloring of the brown frame so I scuffed up the edges of it so it didn't come across as looking so orange. Then I put some festive paper int he back and filled it with different sizes and colors of bells. Simple, easy and fun holiday decor for all of the teachers.

Advent Countdown: Day 21

Watch a Christmas Movie

I think everyone that knows me know how much I adore the holiday season.....I aboslutely love the 1994 version of Miracle on 34th Street as well so I was pumped to introduce my boys to it this year. Such a great flick!

Advent Countdown: Day 20

Deliver Presents and Cards to Family, Friends and Neighbors

Reindeer Noses all packaged up and ready for delivery.

*****

I did 2 different kinds of treats in the end. I found the railroad-type pretzels worked much better since the chocolate could seep in between the grates and not get stuck to the bottom of the pan. Then I ran out of kisses and used some white chocolate peppermint ones (which are my fave!) and they turned out pretty good too.

*****

The card I attached to each of them was just a print-off from our family photoshoot by Starr of Starlite Studio Photography.

*****

And my Yukon all loaded and ready to take off ;)

Lion's Christmas Party

I can remember being involved in these festivities for as long as I can remember, and it is kind  of a given that we go. A bit of a kick of to the crazt week before Christmas as it would be. It is so fun to be able to go and see how the kids have grown from the year before. And we cannot forget that Santa comes to visit and brings a present for every little girl and boy there.... a highlight for sure!

Advent Countdown: Day 19

Do Something Nice for Someone

Today dad was sick with the flu so our nice deed could have been mom running her butt off while he stayed in bed all day.....that sounds pretty nice to me..... not quite sure if there has been a day in the last 5 years that I have ever been able to stay in bed all day ;)

Advent Countdown: Day 18

Make the House Smell Like Christmas

This "Twisted Peppermint" Candle from Bath and Body Works is quite possibly my most favorite-est seasonal scent to date. I stocked up when we went on our girls weekend for Black Friday and have gone through 2 large ones already!

"Early" Irwin Christmas 2011

This past weekend was spent at Ryan's parents home celebrating Christmas a little early, before we all dispersed to the other sides of the families. It is rare to get photos when all 15 of us are together so it was nice this time to plan something and try to get pics of everyone and how they are growing so fast!

Precious little Miss Hailey opening presents in the morning

*****

Brooke, after she let Auntie Mandy do her hair ;)

*****