Cookies, sleds and santa

As should be expected, it's cookie time! They made some pretty cute "free form" gingerbread men with Grandma Affeldt that they carefully decorated for the rest of us. Henry described his as "delicate man" because he had squashed it SO thin.

A trip to the Clasen's giant gingerbread house to sample some of their goodies with Grandma.

They also got invited to a daddy/kiddo cookie party at Mr. John's house where he had the ultimate set up that included at least 4 different kinds of cookies all ready for them to put the finishing touches on. Needless to say Jay and I are trying our best to keep from emptying out the trays of treats that they brought home with them!


The cookie party turned into a sledding party where they took some rides on Mr. John's hand packed sled run. Miss Kristi and I had a lovely morning of brunch at a local restaurant followed by some shopping on Monroe St. while the kids and dads burned off LOTS of energy!






Bryn pulled Henry home from our neighborhood sledding hill the other day. I actually had to run to keep up with that little muscle mouse!

We finally made it over to Hilldale for a visit with Santa. Henry walked right up to him and quickly rattled off his wishes which included a hockey stick, hockey puck and skateboard. Bryn has not asked for a single thing this year which blows my mind. She has said that she has enough toys (which they do) and that she will be surprised. Even as the days count down, she hasn't changed her tune. She needed some convincing to go up to Santa and he knew just what to do. As she got closer to him he was able to reach out his gloved hand and touch one of her flowers and somehow it squeeked. Below is her describing how "magical" Santa is!



I am SO lucky to have great mom friends who want their kids to feel the happiness in giving. We usually head off to a local nursing home but because of the H1N1 scare, they could not visit this year. After several phone calls we decided to make ornaments and then drop them off at the UW Childrens' Hospital. Sam, Abbey, Simon, Bryn Henry and the moms made 5 little baggies full of ornaments and were able to drop them off at the hospital for the kids that won't be home for the holidays.


Wishing you and yours love, joy and peace this holiday season.