We were just talking at dinner how this month just flew by. I think we all were a little shell shocked with how busy we were again this year with everything finally being back to normal. Our usual traditions almost didn't happen...but we got ourself into high gear this last week and I think we might just pull it off again this year!
My dad drove down again for Christmas Eve. The weather forecast was crazy - we got a ton of rain and then the temperature plummeted 30 degrees in just a few hours. Because of this, Bah-Bah came down a day early to beat the freezing temperatures.
We decided to attend the noon service at church. It was very nice!
One of the traditions we fell behind on was the reading of the books from Grandma Stanton. She decided to buy the twins a bunch of books before she passed away with the idea that we'd ready them every December. For whatever reason, we didn't get them all ready this year. The twins picked out their favorites and we read several during our Christmas break.
Emma enjoyed the stories!
A tradition that took on a slightly new look this year was Mike's Christmas Eve Scavenger Hunt. This year he opted to change it into an Escape Room Christmas Even Hunt!
The twins were held in Cam's room so Mike could set the scene. They emerged from Cam's room with their eyes closed so did not see their presents suspended from the ceiling as they walked out!
Mike had planted clues throughout the house that the twins had to solve in order to unlock pieces of the Escape Room!
Piecing together the next clue....
The twins thought there was a clue inside the freezer.....
But it ended up being a message on the front of the freezer!
Frederick was in on the secrets!
How to unlock the next clue?!?!
They cracked it!
They then had to figure out the code to this bike lock....
Another random picture - look how that stick fell into the ground!
A blue light flashlight revealed the code!
That then unlocked a pair of scissors....which led the twins back to the beginning.
CUT IT DOWN!
Success!
In the midst of all that, Allie and I made cookies for Santa.
The twins got their annual ornaments...
And their first pair of Hey Dudes! Allie's were the wrong size so no picture from her!
The twins then exchanged their presents...
We played lots of games....
And then enjoyed a wonderful Surf and Turf Dinner - thanks, Bah-Bah!
Love Grandma Carr's snowmen. I painted one to add to our collection this year!
Great job to the chef!
Cam was VERY excited about this meal.
We got things ready for Santa and the Reindeer.
Told the Elves thank you and see you next year!
And read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas....
The twins were given specific instructions on not waking the parents until after 6:30 AM. Cam came in at precisely 6:33 AM....
Santa came!!!
Ornament from Allie!
I got Allie her first scrapbook.
Emma was very excited for her present!
Michael always gives me the most creative presents.
Allie got awesome chalkboard makers from Santa!
Simon says, "Where are my presents??!?!"
Here they come!
Michael made Poppy's pepperoni eggs for breakfast.
Outside to test out the new scooter....
Back in to work with some of the fun projects they got...
Big Thunder Railroad! Best game ever - Allie asked for this from Santa.
This boy was focused and finished this car in under an hour!
Off to Gammy and Poppy's!
Definitely the year of Squishmellows!
Gammy got a compost bin for Christmas which she is very excited about. The kiddos LOVED playing in this thing!
Gammy put out a lovely Christmas dinner...
These things are really comfy!
Michael won $100 off of a few scratch-offs!
The kiddos got into a pretty crazy game of Truth of Dare....apparently Cameron had to read the instructions to Gammy's compost bin in a funny voice....let's hope Truth or Dare always stays this innocent!
No clue what's happening here....
Phew! What a month!
Per tradition....we got our head under the tree again!
Little bit of post-Christmas fun.....
Scrapbooking!
Rocchi/Mackel Christmas party!
Pin the nose on the snowman was a hit with the kids!
With puffballs as a prize!!
Auntie E gave Allie a super fast spin!
Auntie E also had a very challenging game for the adults!
The wheels began to come off just a bit at this point..
Cameron...always chill.
Allie, Aria and I attempted a fun and yummy craft!
Lots of fun presents were exchanged....
We squeezed in our annual drink hot cocoa and drive around and look at xmas lights!
This place is always great...love that they added in an option for people to donate to the local food bank.
One one new tradition that was super fun! We visited the tree in Bethlehem - so beautiful!
They had a lot of fun things for the kiddos to do...
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