We have started a new tradition with my family in which we gather the weekend before Christmas for decorating cookies, opening gifts, and enjoying good food together. We started the evening singing Christmas carols with Preston on guitar.
We played some Rummy before dinner as well.
After dinner, we settled in for cookie making. Of course, Grandma already had the dough for sugar and gingerbread ready to go. We just had to roll, cut, and decorate!
 |
| The kids got to pick two colors each for frosting. |
In the morning, we were treated to Grandma Cole’s cinnamon rolls. If you’ve ever had amazing cinnamon rolls, just imagine those – but better.
Then it was time for some gifts. JT got a lot of vehicles!
Preston actually asked for an ironing board. 🙂
One of our favorite gifts was JT’s new felt mat of Steamboat Rock State Park. It is one of the cul-de-sacs. Grandpa Cole made it to go with all of JT’s recreational vehicle sets (he loves collecting them).
Haley was very excited to get her walk-and-go pup. She named her Lucy.
 |
| Snuggling on the couch 🙂 |
Haley also got a Tangled Lego Princess Tower set from Preston, and he and JT helped her put it together. 108 steps later, they finished!
After lunch, we went over to visit my Grandma Christensen and wish her a Merry Christmas.
We came home to a quiet evening and a Christmas lights walk. I don’t know why, but I just love this “We Three Kings” art by Haley. I have it hanging up in our house. I think it’s so adorable!
This morning, JT and Haley were playing “Banks Lake” for about an hour. I had no idea how much of our annual trips they have memorized. Of course, JT has been ten times in his little lifetime. Some quotes include…
- “No Haley, the fifth wheel isn’t here right now. This isn’t the friends trip.”
- “The boat is still parked on the grass because it’s Movie Night, and they’re going to put it in after dinner.”
- “They’re all headed into town for Mexican.”
- “There’s a huge windstorm coming, so they’d better get parked.”
- “It’s garbage day.”
Grandpa Cole has plans to help JT build additions, like picnic tables and tents. Love it!
The Keene Family 