Pre-Christmas Activities

Here comes Santa Claus...Since I am being such a poor planner, we had to get pictures with the mall Santa.  Sorry if you know or love a mall Santa, but I do not.  Last year we went to the Garden of the Gods and met the Santa there.  The best Santa ever.  So sweet with Ruby and best of all, no line and they weren't selling photos!  Dare I say that this Santa was not even very nice.  They did however let us take quick pictures since we weren't buying one of their uber expensive picture packages. 

   

 Ruby's favorite word of the season...Snowman!  It was hard to get a picture of her facing the camera.  She kept turning around to look at Frosty.

You can see the look of concern on her face.  But she is being very brave.

 Ok Dad, I have had enough of this guy.

I totally dressed Peter up to match Ruby for pictures with the two of them on Santa's lap...what was I thinking?!?  This kid just got over RSV, he will not be leaving the safety of his car seat and the cover is staying on to hopefully keep germs out!  Peter will meet Santa next year...and hopefully it won't be a mall Santa.

Ruby loved riding the escalator!  Grandpa took her on her first ride, no wonder she loves him best!

We went to build a bear to make a bear for my Grandma.  It was so fun!  I am not sure why every time (which isn't often) I go in there, I have to remind myself that I truly do not need to make a teddy bear for myself.  What a great idea for a business though, wish I would have thought of it.

On our way out, Ruby had to stop and get one more good look.  She did a very good job of not throwing a fit because the bear was not for her!  So good in fact, I should take her back and make her one :)

Later that night, we went over to my parent's house to build our own snowmen.  My family has never had good luck with building gingerbread houses, so we thought we would try something new.  The great neighbor kids came over to make some also.  Eden was Ruby's new BFF, she was so good with her.

 All of us working, I even made my Dad, Dan, Jay and Andy build one.

 Andy is making a face because he knows mine is better...

 I mean seriously, no offense Andy, but what is that?!?

 Peter chillin' with my dad.  

 All of us posing with our snowmen, only you can see the snowmen...

 Here they are.  You can see Ruby's on the left...it was a porcupine snowman.

Jay's

Dan's

 This is mine, ehh, pretty good right?!?

This WAS my mom's.  So funny, we watched the head just teeter off.  It reminded me of Dumb and Dumber...our pet's heads are fallin off...

No official winner was formally chosen, but Dan pretty much won all the adult's votes.  He also beat me at our family bowl off...looks like I have got some work to do before next Christmas.