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...