December and Advent are upon us

We are only 14 days into December, but we are already busy, busy with all the Advent celebrations and preparations as we wait in joyful anticipation for Christmas.  I have been negligent in keeping up here, but trust me, we've been having a great time and keeping busy.

The first big activity for the month was Samuel and Veronica's joint birthday party on Sunday, December 4th.  Samuel turned 3 on November 20th and Veronica was 1 on November 23rd.  We typically only have a big 1st birthday, but poor Samuel was too sick the first year and I had to cancel his birthday party the night before.  Then last year I was too tired to plan anything with Veronica's impending birth and my Mom's surprise party.  So this was the year....a combo party for the two of them.  My Dad was a trooper and made two cakes...one boy cake and one girl cake.  Samuel insisted on a lady bug and I wanted something girly for Veronica so he tackled a rag doll cake and both were adorable and very delicious.

Next on the agenda was St. Nicholas' feast day. Probably the most anticipated day of Advent and the entire month of December except for Christmas Day.  The night before the kids put their shoes our hoping St. Nicholas would fill them with goodies.  They were not disappointed either.  They awoke to find their shoes near their beds and filled with candy, a statue and an apple and an orange.  There were lots of smiles and laughter that morning.

Augustin finding his shoes

Matthias very excited about his fruit

Samuel really had a great time.  This was the first time he ever really got into the fun of the morning

Even the biggest guy gets into the celebration and enjoys the morning.  He is showing off his St. Nicholas statue

He looks so tall here.  He is tall, but he looks even taller when I'm sitting on the floor

I love this picture.

Augustin enjoying some baked oatmeal that Grant made the day before.  Quite a treat.

Veronica's too young to understand all the excitement, but she found someones orange and wasn't letting it go.

Baking

The boys have done a lot of baking this year.  Grant is great about getting everyone involved.  Here they are making ginger snaps and he let the little guys, to include Samuel, dip the cookies in sugar while Parker put them on the baking sheet.  

Only 11 days to go as Grant reminds me.  Can you tell they are excited?  It should be another 11 days of excitement as we await Christmas Day.