Christmas Countdown Day 22

The bird tree and decorating Christmas cookies was supposed to happen on the same day, however Kale had a tummy bug on day 17-18 so we changed the cookie plans. We rescheduled the cookie decorating to day 22. Teresa brought over baked sugar cookies for the boys to decorate!

Christmas Countdown Day 21

On day 21, we camped out under the tree! Kale never fell asleep downstairs and at almost 10pm asked to go to his room. We had the best intentions, but only Dane & Cameron ended up under the tree all night. Next year, hopefully we will all make it.

Christmas Countdown Day 20

On day 20, we made wine cork Rudolphs. Found them on pinterest and although I didn't get to the craft store to get the "correct" supplies, I think ours turned out pretty cute!

The inspiration:

 Dane didn't want antlers on his...it's a lady reindeer.

Christmas Countdown Day 19

Today we decorated a "bird tree" with Grandma - the boys helped Teresa string food for the birds and then draped it on a little pine tree. I am not sure if the birds got any of it, but something knocked the tree over and took the goods.

Christmas Countdown Day 18

We've had to make some adjustments in our plans due to sick kiddos! I think we've been hit with every strain of flu and every bug out there since October. Hopefully that means that 2015 will be VERY HEALTHY!

So on day 18, we read all of our Christmas books before bed!

Christmas Countdown Day 17

This evening we visited Santa at the mall! There was absolutely no line so the boys got to spend some extra time with the jolly ol' Elf!

Christmas Countdown Day 16

This evening we watched "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" - classic, old school version that I grew up watching!

Christmas Countdown Day 15

We went to the Vernon Hills Light Show!

My 3 boys...the boys don't have to be belted in during this because it's not on the road. They love it!

Santa's workshop

And while the rest of us were enjoying the light show, Kale was mostly doing this:

Christmas Countdown Day 14

Dane and Kale each received an email video message from Santa!

Christmas Countdown Day 13

Home-made Christmas ornaments with Andon & Presley!

Dane's ball ornament

 Andon's gingerbread man

Christmas Countdown Day 12

Day 12 was set aside to write our letters to Santa.

Dane would like a new T Rex dinosaur and a new police officer motor cycle. A brand new go dino that can roar really loud and a new firefighter set. And you can see the requests didn't stop there! 

Kale would like a brand new Chase (transformer rescue bot), a batman robot, a brand new Heatwave (transformer rescue bot), a toy Santa that pulls out presents from his belly and a few other things! 

Christmas Countdown Day 11

Day 11 was gourmet hot chocolate in new hot chocolate marshmallow kicking mugs!

Christmas Countdown Day 10

This evening we watched the "Polar Express" movie. I love this movie and am glad to see that our boys are beginning to love it as well. I neglected to snap any pics!

Christmas Countdown Day 9

Today we had a candy cane hunt and then got to eat a candy cane that we found! Twelve candy canes were hidden throughout the house and we are still missing one (unless I miscounted when hiding them).

Christmas Countdown Day 8

This evening we had grinch punch with dinner, then we watched the Grinch who stole Christmas.

Even though they look in pain, they really did like it - drank it all!

Christmas Countdown Day 7

Gingerbread houses!! The pictures show Kale's interest level...he played with his toys most of the time (once he ate his fill of the candy).

 Dane got into it again this year and seemed to really enjoy himself!

 Kale is checking out - on his way to find some toys.

 So here is Cameron's (I mean Kale's) gingerbread house.

Christmas Countdown Day 6

On day 6 we had family movie night and watched "Elf".

Christmas Countdown Day 5

Day 5 was a sleepover at Grandma & Grandpa Hattens!!

All packed up & ready to go!

Christmas Countdown Day 4

Today's countdown surprise - Candy Cane ice cream after dinner!

Day 3 Christmas Countdown

Day 3 of our countdown was GIVING BACK!! We have a huge passion for doing what we can to change the lives of those around us and we're desperately trying to instill this in our littles. We adopted 2 little boys from Open Arms Mission - ages 4 & 5. The boys picked out everything we are donating to their family - each child received a toy, pajamas, pants, shirt, socks, toothpaste and soap.

2 bagfuls, one for each little boy!

Day 2 - Christmas Countdown

Day 2 of our Christmas Countdown...Christmas jammies!

Christmas Countdown Day 1

I am hoping to at least get our Christmas countdown here on the blog...as I've said before, this serves as our family journal and there's so much I don't want to forget! Our days leading up to Christmas are always my favorite!

Day 1 - our faithful Elf of a Shelf, Gooey Shoe, has arrived! 

FALLEN BLOGGER

Clearly I am a fallen blogger....I used to love blogging but now I cannot seem to find the time. I hope that one day I will get back into it but for now I am taking quite the hiatus! 

Summer Fun Continued....

Trips to the beach...

The boys and I spent a cloudy, chilly day in Kenosha, WI. Went to the public museum and the lakefront.

We spent a day at Green Meadows Farm in East Troy, WI. The boys got to hold / touch everything and even got to milk a cow!

We spent the day in Chicago with Grandma Polk, Aunt Janel, Andon & Presley.

Now...we mustache you a question:

Would you like to see the fun we have in our backyard?

With our slip & slide:

Dancing:

Bubble baseball: