'Tis the Season

for visits with Santa, meeting reindeer, zoo lights, and cookies!

We always end our Thanksgiving weekend with putting up all of our Christmas decorations, watching Polar Express and enjoying some hot chocolate.

We even had Happy the Elf arrive at our house this year.



He’s been keeping an eye on the kids!

And you better believe the toy catalogs are being checked out – lots of circling going on!

We also have our Advent calendars that we open daily!

And St. Nick made a stop at our house bringing Christmas pajamas and ornaments.

Everyone wants a turn holding Ty!

 We are excited to have this little babe celebrating his first Christmas! 

Our first main Christmas activity this year was breakfast with Santa on the 7th.  Both Luke & Paige were really excited, although you can still sense a bit of nervousness from Paige when you mention sitting on Santa’s lap.

We were greeted by Frosty!

We had a great breakfast buffet,









and then the big guy arrived!

Luke and Paige went up to see him first and put in their toy requests. 

Then it was Ty’s turn - 2 jolly men! 

Luke was sure to tell Santa what Ty would like too.

They were doing so great that the lady said we should take a family picture!

They even had an Olaf ice sculpture outside that the kids loved!

Next up for the day, was a change from our “fancy clothes” so we could bundle up and head to downtown Frankfort for some more Christmas fun. 

First up there was the chance to meet some real reindeer.  The elves said that the reindeer were only 2 years old so they were still in training – you can’t fly the sleigh until you are three ;)

We enjoyed some hot chocolate and a horse-ride around downtown. 

Before we left, we wrote and mailed some letters to Santa just in case he forgets what was requested that morning!

Did you know that you can never visit Santa too many times before Christmas?!?!  Last Friday night, we headed to the Oak Brook Mall to see him again.  This time Fiona came along for the Adventure to Santa (http://www.mykidlist.com/2014/11/adventure-to-santa-at-oakbrook-center/)!

This was an interactive experience that is free, but you needed a reservation for.  Our reservation wasn’t until 8:15 but we met around 7 to walk around to make sure no one fell asleep before the adventure started!







Once we were let in, we were able to take a picture with Princess Fiona and Shrek and they greeted us on the screen too.

From there, we went into another room where we needed to design a sleigh to take us to the North Pole.  Santa was super busy and wasn’t able to make it to Oak Brook so we were going to him!







After designing the sleigh, we headed into another room where our sleigh was waiting!  This was a 4-D experience that was pretty cool.  There wasn’t room on the sleigh for Wally & I and before take-off, Luke asked if we were coming.  He was a little worried.  I told him we would hang on to the side of the sleigh.  Once the video started, I think he understood what was happening a little more.  Fiona was hilarious though.  Her reaction to feeling the breeze and chill was awesome!



And just like that, we arrived at the North Pole and waited our turn to see Santa!

We made it!  So fun!

And the “free” part of the experience ends if you want to buy the pictures.  It certainly isn’t cheap, but it helped that we could split the cost.  It was a fun way to meet Santa this year though!

Saturday we were able to get a little bit of baking in!  Paige was my helper this year!

And then we were off to Brookfield Zoo Lights!  Last year was our first year going and we enjoyed it enough to go back again!  The good thing about it being 50 degrees in December is you don’t have to freeze during these fun outings.  The bad thing is all of Illinois will be right there with you!  To say it was crowded is a complete understatement.  BUT the kids had fun, especially Ty.  He couldn’t get enough of all of the lights.







And it didn’t take us as long as we thought it would to get out of the parking lot to head home!

And this week was full of Christmas parties and programs at school.  More to come on those!

This momma elf is all finished shopping – now on to the wrapping!

Breakfast with Santa & Cookies

Unfortunately we missed making reservations for Breakfast with Santa where we have gone the past couple of years so we had to change it up this year. It definitely wasn't as nice and cozy, but I suppose it worked!

Paige got very nervous as soon as we walked in and she saw Santa. She kept shaking her head and saying no. Luke of course hopped right up on his lap!



He told Santa he wanted some racetrack that neither Wally or I had a clue about. We both looked at each other and sort of panicked.



When we got home and figured out what he was talking about we discovered thatwhat he wanted was over $100 and for 8 year old and up. He apparently saw it on a commercial. He was a little upset and asked why the commercial didn't tell you how old you have to be....ha!

Anyways... We were seated right in front of Santa. You can tell that Paige was not too thrilled!







Paige was checking out the other kids getting their pictures taken!



I finally told Wally let's just do it. Let's just get the picture of Paige. I tried setting her on his lap, but she REFUSED! So I told her I would just hold her and she was sort of ok with that! Then as I was walking away, I just set her on his lap and wouldn't you know - she smiled! It was a Christmas miracle!







Paige even told Santa what she wanted for Christmas - gymnastics Dora. However, she then stood in front of Santa waiting for her Dora. She didn't quite get that she wasn't getting it in that moment and that made her angry - ha!

There was some face painting and coloring going on there too!



We took some pictures before we left and headed home in the snowstorm that had started!





When we got home, it was cookie baking time!