Christmas is Coming!

As Christmas approaches, the kids have been growing more excited by the day!  We've been having fun with some pre-Christmas festivities. 

Austin and Sarah dancing to the Teddy Bear Band when they visited Grandpa's golf club.

 Then Santa arrived on a sleigh!

 Each child got called up to sit with Santa and receive a gift.

The next weekend, there was a local builder who hosted Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the reindeer Donner and Blitzen at their model home open house.
Sarah was a little scared of Santa both at the golf club and at the open house, but we got her to nudge up next to Austin for a quick photo.

Then sleigh rides...the kids waited very patiently for their turn, but were literally jumping for joy they were so excited!

They had a photographer there that took our photos with the reindeer, but we haven't gotten those yet, so we'll have to add those later.  Here's one I took of the kids on the sleigh ride. You can see the reindeer antlers in the background.

Then over to Nanny's for an early Christmas with the Chesters before they head to NY for Chester family Christmas.  Austin and Sarah received an early gift from Nanny - the hat and "gingerbread man iPhone" (as Austin calls it) from the show Prep and Landing.  They are nuts about it!

Here is Austin showing off his elf hat and gingerbread man showing "zero creatures stirring."

Christmas cookie time!

Austin had fun decorating the cookies with frosting and sprinkles. 

Austin especially loves the green sprinkles.

 Sarah even got in on the sprinkle action.

 OK, now it is officially Christmas. The cookies are done!

 Christmas elves.

 Tickle time!

 And of course, the Bilz box tradition.

Austin also had his preschool Christmas program today.  As usual, he was such a ham and really enjoyed singing with his classmates.  Cuteness!  What a great way to get in the mood for Christmas...about 20 singing 4 and 5 year olds!


We've also been getting a good start on our basement construction.  We've had plumbing and HVAC started.  There are jackhammers, drills, and more going downstairs and the kids have had some funny reactions to the noise.  Check out the video...