The most wonderful time

We have been enjoying our end of December so far. I feel like in the past few years, Christmastime has been a little crazy. However, this year it's been very laid back. I didn't make a bunch of cookies, all shopping was done online and showed up at the door, Christmas cards got sent out early, and our Christmas plans are all pretty spread out. 

Bridget "upgraded" to a booster seat! She is pretty excited about using a "big seat belt" and enjoys unbuckling herself. We've had to have a few lessons on when she can do that and when she can't.

A couple weeks ago we went to the Festival of Lights drive through display. After a "scenic" drive there, the kids were in awe of all the lights. It's fun to see their personalities come through in things that we do. Bridget exclaimed and giggled over everything, and Carter just sat totally still with eyes wide open and hardly said a word. He even forgot to have his thumb in his mouth.  :)

After driving though, we headed back to Morton and got ice cream at Culver's.

The next Saturday it snowed...a lot. At least a lot for central IL at one time. The kids were SO excited about the snow when they woke up! They seem to have inherited some of my genes though, in that they weren't at all anxious to actually go play in it. I finally made them get dressed and go out, and they had lots of fun. Carter stayed busy scooping snow back onto the driveway and Bridget played on the "mountains" with Grace, out neighbor girl. 

After about an hour and half, everyone came inside for hot chocolate. Or "just right chocolate" as Bridget calls it, since she didn't want it to be too hot. :)

As of a few days ago all of our presents are wrapped and piled in the corner of our bedroom. The kids are very excited about all of them!

The other morning Bridget was in our room and I told her to come out. She responded with "mom, I'm just going to sit in here and look at my presents." Which she proceeded to do for a good ten minutes, complete with stroking her favorite gift, which happens to be the one that sparkly. (she's very into anything sparkly right now.)