He picked this pose all by himself. He was super proud.
We couldn't get Lucy to sit by herself so we had to give her an ornament to play with. That ornament was later broken when Blake decided to throw it at me like a baseball while I wasn't looking.
Every other year Cameron's mom does a whole family Christmas party with Cameron's aunts and uncles and cousins. We eat and play bingo like always but the last two times she has also had Santa come by for a visit. The kids think that it is so fantastic that grandpa and grandma know Santa. This year Santa told Blake that he is on the in between list. This has helped when he is having a naughty moment and we ask if he wants Santa to move him all the way on the naughty list, he quickly straightens up. We all had a good time and won lots of fun prizes!
Grace and Santa.
Blake and Santa.
So we thought this time maybe she would like Santa. He bribed her with a candy cane and she was ok for a nano second but as soon as Cameron moved his hands she freaked.
Grandma and grandpa with all the grandkids minus new baby Tate and Natalie and Santa of course.
A few weeks ago we were able to go on the North Pole Express with some of Cameron's family. We did this train ride last year and I'm glad we did because they changed some things this year. It is no longer the "Polar Express" , the no longer read that book and they don't give out bells. We did still have lots of fun and got to the North Pole where Santa boarded the train and visited all the children. The kids loved singing all the songs and Grace even did a solo for our train car into the microphone of Jolly Old St. Nickolas. The kids loved it and really think we made it to the North Pole. Oh to be a child and enjoy the magic of Christmas! Above us boarding the train.
Grandpa and Grandma with the grandkids.
Lucy and Grace with Mrs. Claus. At least Lucy liked her because she hates Santa!
Blake with Santa. 
For the 3rd year we were able to host Cameron's family for ginger bread houses. It is fun to be able to all get together during the holidays. One of these days though I am going to have to relinquish control and let the kids actually do the decorating!
Our beautiful house!
Top: Cameron's parents, his brother Jason and his family.
Bottom: His brother Dan and his family, his sister Randi and her family
I guess that it is about time that I put up some Christmas posts since we have done some fun things. The first event of the year was our annual visit to Santa and buying of tree ornaments complements of Cameron's mom. This is such a great tradition and the kids absolutely love it. I did however get my first picture with a child screaming on Santa's lap. Oh well when Grace was that age she screamed too so I just gave up and didn't get a picture and it has always bugged me so poor Lucy was made to sit in his lap, one day she will thank me right?!
All the cousins waiting for Santa.
The kids with Grandma and their ornaments. Grace this year decided she needed to get something that looked like Christmas to her instead of her usually Barbie or Disney character. She even told Blake he should not get the Indiana Jones because it was not Christmas.
Chris also let's all the kids ride the train. Above is Lucy and Grace getting ready to head out.
All the kids on the train.
This week Grace has received two awards. First from school she was named Star Student of the Week. She will have her picture in the paper with all the other Star Students from the school. I don't really know what else this entails but we are super proud of her. Also she started doing gymnastics again this year. At the gym she is taking at they start you in a group called red stars. Once you pass off all the requirements they move you up to the next level which is orange stars. You keep moving up through yellow and green stars(or something like that) and then team. She was one of three from her class to make the move this week. Maybe gymnastics will be her thing after all! Above is Grace with her certificate for Star Student. Oh yeah and she got bangs!
