December Update

   December is always such a busy month full of holiday celebrations and traditions.  We enjoyed all of our past traditions and even added a few more.  It was a busy month, but such a good month for us.  We really got into the Christmas spirit and enjoyed the season.  Here are some random pictures from the month.

The elf brought a gingerbread house to decorate.  Here is the before picture.  

Serious decorators

The finished house.  As you can tell, Dawson was quite proud.  

   One Tuesday, Ashlyn and I got another surprise snow day.  It was the perfect early Christmas present.  Dawson and Gracie went to daycare that day and Ashlyn and I got to spend the whole day together just the two of us.  We watched Christmas movies, drank hot chocolate, and made bead creations.  It was truly the perfect snow day.

Melting our beads

Ashlyn loves her beads

Such a busy girl she was

The tree I made

The adorable wreath Dawson made for me.  (The candy cane hanging on it was from when the elf hid candy canes throughout the house.)

    The day before winter break, Joey got to spend the day at Ashlyn's school as part of the Watch D.O.G.S. program.  It is an awesome program where dads spend an entire day at school with their kids.  Joey does it at least once every year and he and Ashlyn just love it.  It was also pajama day,  that is why Ashlyn is wearing pajamas.

Loves her dad

A quick trip to Papa's office

The kids were so happy to find Santa one day when we went out to lunch.  

My birthday

Joey got me this amazing chocolate mouse cake from Marigolds for my birthday.  It was divine!

Openin presents

    Two days before Christmas, Joey notified Ashlyn and I that he had a surprise for us.  My sister watched Dawson and Gracie since he let us know it would be a late night.  We had no clue what we were doing.  We ended up in Denver where we began our night with dinner at Steuben's.  We had a wonderful meal.  After dinner, we ended up at the theater where we got to see the musical of a Christmas Story.  It was done so well.  We all loved the entire thing.  We hope to see it again one day.  The surprise was so much fun and Ashlyn really loved getting to be the only child again for a night.

At dinner

The stage

Waiting for the show to start

Selfie time

Group shot

Joey discovered that Gracie shares his love of egg nog.