Christmas 2011

We had a wonderful, blessed Christmas. I love this time of year, and Christmas is so special with the kids. We love being able to teach them the real meaning of this time, hand down our traditions, and of course start our own. Christmas Eve we spent with my family for our gift opening and Mexican food fiesta as we do every year. Then Christmas Day we were able to open presents and see what Santa brought, just the 4 of us before we attended church. The rest of the day we spent with Cam's family for more yummy food, gifts, and company. I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a little choked up to think about how fast the kids are growing up, and that this was already Addie's 5th Christmas. Here's a few of our favorite pics from Christmas this year!

Whispering to Avey what she wants for Christmas. A movie theatre... Sorry kid, that is probably not happening. :) 

Last year we had an Advent calendar that had little chocolates in each door. Addie is obsessed with Star Wars, especially Lego Star Wars. We found this Lego Star Wars Advent calendar where everyday you get to build a little ship or get a Lego guy character from the movies. It was a huge hit!

Gage's favorite present by far, this little couch from Aunt Erica and Uncle Trevor. It caused some serious fights and a few tears from both Gage and Emily as they both wanted to sit on it by themselves!



Learning how to unwrap gifts. Don't worry, Sissy helped with most of his and Emily's.

Poor little guy has been so under-the-weather lately. He was so tired; he's just chillin' with his favorite peep, Papa.

Leaving milk, cookies, and carrots for Santa and the reindeer!

It was a Star Wars kind of Christmas this year. Santa brought a Yoda clock! (She also got the Millenium Falcon from Uncle Matt, and a Darth Vader backpack from us. The Force is totally with us.)

Riding in his new Tonka playing with Daddy's new presents, a cigar and whiskey... Cam says, "Can he get any more manly?"

"Think I'll just finish off these carrots and crumbs left behind."

Addie got new skates and a hockey stick so she can play roller hockey with Daddy.

She also got an RC car built especially for her (Cam had to do some tweaking so it won't go too fast) by Daddy. Um, can you tell she's a tomboy? :)

Grandmama and Happy opening their presents from Addie that she picked out especially and wrapped herself!

Gage giving a hi-five to his great-great grandpa who is 92 this Christmas. Pure love.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

The Polar Express and Ugly Sweaters

I have about a million things to post about from our very busy December, so instead of doing several posts, I'll do my best to condense into two. Be forewarned, this will be a looong post with lots of pictures! Enjoy.

We were lucky enough to take the kids on The Polar Express again this year. That book/movie is a Christmas time staple in our house and it is SO MUCH FUN to see how excited Addie (and all the kids) get while riding the train to the North Pole. :) Some of our favorite pics below -

 That is one big cookie! Naturally, he ate the entire thing.

All the kids get a cookie and hot chocolate, just like in the story.

Then you get to kick back and enjoy the ride while listening to the story. We brought our own copy to follow along.

Addie, Gage, and Emily looking at the North Pole. Santa and his elf are out there waving!

Santa pops aboard for the return trip to give all the kids a little Christmas gift, a bell from his sleigh. Gage is unsure about St. Nick...

But pretty stoked about his bell!

Our little Polar Express riders!

We bundled up back in the car to head home so we could get ready for our next big event that weekend, the 1st Annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party! It was so much fun! We had about 30 peeps show up in their fantastical ugly creations. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to attack old ladies around town to steal their ugly sweaters for this party. So classic. I'll let the pics do most of the talking.

My 1st attempt at Jello shots. Gone in about 15 minutes. (Everyone had a REALLY good time...) :-)

Erica and Trevor in their "creations". Loving the pregnant Santa!

Had to get my knee socks in the pic...

Kris and Val in their already ugly sweaters that they made even uglier! Love it!

Kendra, Xochilt, and Clifton in their matching hats.

They did not plan this, they had never met before!

Erin and Trent. Hard to see in this pic, but the reindeer on Trent's sweater are doing something... well, naughty. LOL.

Ashley and Steph in their "rented" sweaters. :)

Me, Mindy, and Aimee. Aimee added all her own decor and Mindy borrowed that kitty sweater from a former teacher, no joke.

The finalists! All homemade, with their own creativity!

Trevor, Arian, Charlie, Clifton, and Aimee

We definitely made them strut around the kitchen so everyone could catcall at them...

Charlie wins by popular vote. 1st place prize, leg lamp. Enough said.

2nd place, Clif and his Charlie Brown tree! :)

Time to start planning my sweater for next year...

November in Pictures!

 Our little ballerina! She started creative movement at The Studio in CG in August, but I snapped this pic on her way to class a few weeks ago! She is loving it. We went to a Ballet Under the Stars performance earlier this season and we are taking her to see The Nutcracker in CG, and the question she's asked both times with a big cheesy grin, "Am I going to be dancing on the stage?"

 Thanksgiving jumparoos!

 Me, Sissy, and nephew-to-be on Thanksgiving

 Gagers mowing Karli & Gary's lawn. He pushed that thing all over! (See upcoming post for our now official walker!)

 It wasn't technically his 1st Thanksgiving, but the 1st one where he could dig in! He ate way more than his sister, as always! :)

 Chowing down, mouth full!

 Post turkey coma...

Grammy & Papa's tree is "magic". If you clap your hands the lights turn on & off! (Or Papa has a remote... I'll let you decide the truth.)

 Getting ready to decorate for Christmas! Climbing things was definitely a fun part of the day!

 I LOVE this picture! Polar Express 3D for the 1st time of many this season, I'm sure. For the record, Em kept her glasses on for a few minutes before taking them off and bending them. :-)

Meet the newest member of the Sanders' family, Avey the elf. He showed up under the tree and has been popping up in a new place every morning to keep an eye on Addie & Gage. You better watch out, he reports back to the North Pole every night to update Santa on the happenings around here! Addie named him and cannot wait to find him in the mornings.

Christmaholics (not so) Anonymous

I admit it. I started listening to Christmas music today. I LOVE Christmas, and I am always ready to start listening to music, decorate, etc. before Thanksgiving but I have always stuck fast to my rule of waiting til after. Except today... :)

In other news lately...

- We had our 10 year high school reunion last Saturday night. It was actually a lot of fun and we're glad we went. Shame on us, we didn't take 1 single picture. It was great catching up with those we are still in touch with and some of those we hadn't. And on the plus side, I got to bring my best friend home like I have every night for the past 7 years. :-D

- Gage is almost walking! Tonight he took almost 5 full steps. He's taking his time about it, but I definitely don't mind this time around. I want him to stay my baby!

- We finally got Addie a library card. It was really exciting, see pic below!

I think that's all for now!

Super Cousins!

Happy Halloween! We love this time of year and we are always ready to decorate our house, bake fun Halloween cookies, carve pumpkins, and of course dress the kids up and go trick-or-treating. This year Addie, Gage, and Emily dressed as our own little family of Supers. All the fam came over to our house again this year and we had some yummy chili and cornbread before trick-or-treating around the block.

Love this shirt! We watch that movie almost daily this time of year!

Carving pumpkins! Addie wouldn't let us touch her little pumpkin, so it's still in the kitchen. We are going through an "I love everything, we need to keep it forever phase." I really hope we are over it soon.

"Master pumpkin carver, Cameron is."

The Super Cousins!
This was about the only way we could get a picture of all 3 of them dressed up! We ordered the capes from this shop on Etsy. Addie plays superhero all the time, so I love that we will get years of use from these.

Super Addie!

Super Gage!
He was a proper little superhero and kept his mask on most of the night. Love my little man so much!

This was Emily's 1st "real" trick or treat. She would follow Addie to the door, and as soon as someone would answer she would back away slowly and then crouch down in defense mode. It was priceless. Needless to say, she got tons of candy anyway for being so darn cute. Addie is old hat at the ripe old age of 4, and had no problem ringing doorbells, saying "Trick or Treat!" and "Thank you!"

Hope you all had a sugar filled Halloween, and Happy November!