New Traditions

Every year is full of change...and change is good. Well sometimes....   This year I am having a really hard time with change. Usually on Christmas Eve we celebrate Christmas with the whole Bloemers side...this year it will be different. Which really is a good thing, since it will be easier for more people to make being the Saturday before. I was hoping we would do our small Bloemers family gathering that night instead, but not he case, which I too understand.   This leads me to my issue...we now have NOTHING on Christmas Eve, or really Christmas Day. Usually both night and day are filled with family and they will, but just the 4 of us.   This I am dreading...   Toby says we will come up with something special to call our own, but it really just makes me miss my mom all that much more...   We have some ideas...but I am slowly working myself up. I wish I could just push it back and think of all the special memories we will be making with our kids, but sometime less isn't more and in this case less people, especially one that will be missing is being missed an extra lot this year.

Happy Birthday Mom

Today my mom would have been 68 years old. Sometimes its hard to believe she is really gone. I miss her so much and think about her all the time. To make a hard day just a little special for the last 3 years I have had the kids make small birthday cards. We then attach them to some colorful balloons and send them up to Memah.(In case you didn't know...all balloons go to heaven, right to Memah. Who has quite a collection!) 

My birthday is tomorrow, and I do like a good birthday it just hasn't been quite the same. It will always be a little hard, but I try my best to not shed tears, but to think of all the good times and remember she is having one heck of a birthday party!! 

Frosting

Now everybody knows that once you bake cookies you just have to decorate them...so of course we got out the frosting, sprinkles and went to town!! 

Tim "x" marks the spot!! Gotta love the Michigan cookie cutter!!

Emmah thinking closely about what to add next!

Pure concentration!!

Even the BIG kids got into it!

I have to say I love to decorate cookies...it's so much fun and I LOVE to what creative ideas will come out!

Chips Last Visit

Since I have posted most of Chips adventures this year I thought I should post Chips last visit with us...or at least for this year!! On the 19th of Dec. the kids woke up to find Chip here: 

And he added this message:

Can't wait to see what exciting adventures Chip will have next year!!

Thanks for visiting Chip see you soon!

Let's Bake

It's cookie day and we are ready to bake! On the plans for today are:

1. Grandma Henkel's Holly Cookies
2. Sugar Cookies- for Santa!
3. Candy Bar Sugar Cookies
4. Peanut Butter Blossoms

And we'll see what else we add to the list!!
Cookie baking is always fun and since we didn't do any at home I'm super excited that we get to do it together as a family!!First up, Sugar Cookies: 

Next Grandma Henkel's Holly Cookies (My Fav!)

 Baking is so much fun!!Of course sampling when you're done isn't bad either!! 

Chips Adventures

Here are some of the fun adventures our Elf Chip has been on since he arrived: 

Obviously he needed a litlle snack and some time with his friend the Nutcracker!

The Chronicles of Chip

Have you heard of Elf on a Shelf? If not it is such a wonderful and fun holiday tradition we started a few years ago. Here is how it works, each elf comes with a story explaining the magic. Your child/children get to name the elf, which it half the fun! Ours is named Chip. Then each night Chip heads back to the North Pole to report to Santa how everyone behaved. Each morning when he returns he finds a new spot to sit...so you can imagine the fun in finding where Chip is every morning! Chip arrived at our house this morning with a special note:

I can't wait to see what crazy things this elf has planned for this year!!

(Don't worry I plan to keep you updated!)

Letters to Santa

Well we decided it was time to let the big man know what we wanted for Christmas and although we went and met with him, we wanted to be sure he remembered what we wanted!! I mean he is a busy guy! So here are this years letters to Santa:

Visit with Santa

Tonight was the all important trip to see the man in red....SANTA!! The kids were somewhat excited to go, but the excitement really hit once we arrived. They knew exactly what they were going to ask for and were really hoping they made the "nice" list!!

It was fun to hear them chat with Santa and tell them their wishes, it really brings out the magic of Christmas. The belief in jolly old elf who can bring you wishful joys on Christmas morning. The glow in their eyes and sweetness of their smiles!

I love the look on her face here...that sneaky, yet sweet look!

Jake and his joyful smile, can bring a smile to anyones face!!

Many wishes that they make the "nice" list and that all their Christmas morning wishes come true.

Hustle & Bustle

Oh the fun has truly begun!! The kids and I are officially on Christmas Break and the parties are starting!! We have many fun holiday celebrations planned with friends and family I can't wait to enjoy all the fun!!!

We are starting off tonight with some skating and fun with friends, a family party next week, another friend party, and so much more!!

I love all the fun family time and holiday traditions that come with this time of year. I love to share my special memories with my kids and help create some for them! We are enjoying reading our holiday book a night, have been to see the AWESOME holiday local light display, and are looking forward to the more we have to come!!

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions??

Santa's Watching

A few years ago the kids got this great gift..."Elf on a Shelf" It comes with a great book and this fun little elf that you even get to name!! Every year just after Thanksgiving he arrives to bring some Christmas joy...and to keep a watchful eye on the kids for Santa. Every night Chip...as we named our elf....moves to a new location. The kids LOVE to find where he is every morning!!

At night he flies back to the North Pole to make his report to Santa on how the kids have behaved. Let me tell you, Chip is a great reminder to be on your best behavior! You can't touch this special Elf or he will lose his magic and won't be able to fly back to the North Pole. On Christmas Eve he will leave our family for another year and hang out with the big guy himself until it is time to return.

This Elf has created so many great memories already and is sure to make yours. You can buy "Elf on a Shelf" in a number of locations. Be sure to get one for your family and sit back enjoy and make some memories!