Out of all the things we do around the holidays, this is becoming one of our favorites! This day was SO MUCH fun and we just couldn't have planned it all out like this if we even tried.
It was a rainy Saturday morning. Mike told his siblings to all wear Ugly Christmas Sweaters for Christmas and I decided to not let that stress me out and have him actually go along to find these shirts. We headed for Goodwill and Zayla went with us so Lena could get some holiday shopping in alone. We found some shirts and we were back home.
Our little home town has a holiday open house each Christmas. They used to have a scavenger hunt and free little gifts for the kids at some of the shops. This year we decided to walk through Kitchen Kettle Village and go from there. Hadassah joined us because Jeremiah was at the cabin.
The Village was full of cheerful shoppers and carolers and many fun things to eat, buy and see! Christmas time at the village is so fun! We walked through the little shops and bought soft pretzels and strawberry lemonade. We tried on sunglasses in the leather shop and bought some dill pickle cheese! We tasted homemade fudge that was made right in the fudge shop! So good!
Before we left home, I asked Ashlyn to go put Ginger inside and she thought I meant inside the Audi. Even though we don't live far from town, after I realized Ginger was along, she actually went along.
We walked the streets and came upon this artist! I mentioned that our family do this but then when I realized the price for all of us, I decided to not do it. Hadassah was all into it and Mike said OK! So, the artist took a photo of each of us and we had Ginger along so she got added to! Then we asked if he could add Jeremiah! Perfect!!!! He's a cartoon artist and he was going to draw all of us while we kept walking around Kitchen Kettle but after watching him a little while, we decided to stay and watch for the entire drawing! We love it!!!! It was crazy fun and we laughed so much!!!!
Mike and the Littles went across the street to warm up while we waited for the artist to finish up.
And here you go!!! It's a memory we might never forget!
We finished walking through the village and then went to pick out a Christmas tree at Frysville Farms! They have greenhouses filled with poinsettias!
I've learned over the years that if I want photos of the kids, take the camera along and just click the camera button! I love these!
And everyone was having such a fun time! Mike is a goof sometimes!
The boys loaded up the tree and paid for it while the Littles and I strolled through the greenhouse! They had an animal hunt the kids did!
And then she spied the succulents.
And I spied more photo spots!
The boys went to Jos A Bank for some dressy clothes they need and we all met back home to decorate the tree!
Hadassah came over again and picked the kids up and they went to go see her bunny Olive's bunnies. They came back and decorated a few gingerbread men she had bought at the bakery in Kitchen Kettle. Hadassah and Matthew made icing and they laughed so hard at the the taste. They said it tasted like paint. They couldn't wait to offer it to their dad!!!!
Mike tried the cookie after Hadassah told him to try it and Austin pitched in and said he could have the rest of it! Everyone laughed again.
Ashlyn topped the tree with our ancient star! Austin straightened it out and it's beautiful with all the red and gold and white ornaments all over it! It may be our nicest tree yet!!!!
My heart was so full from having such a fun day with the family! I heard snuggles and giggles downstairs and so of course I had to join them for last event of the day. Home Alone 2 was being watched with popcorn and hot chocolate.
It was midnight before I crawled into bed. I was tired. I was happy. I was feeling so loved to have such a fun family of a loving husband that cats around with us all day long. For the kids to really make it fun and laugh and giggle and be funny! For a warm house to snuggle and place a decorated tree and have peace in our home!
I feel so blessed!
It's really feeling like Christmas!
