Getting into the Christmas Spirit

We just finished a great weekend packed with fun activities.  Friday evening we went to a drive through live nativity at a church here in town.  There were live donkeys and llamas, which was exciting for the kids.  It was set up so that we drove through each scene, tuned our radio to have audio, and never left our car the entire time.  I was most excited for us all to get a visual of that night in Bethlehem with Christ was born.  Since it was going to be a warm evening in the car the girls got to dress themselves in whatever cozy clothes they wanted.  Complete with coordinating headbands, nice. 

 Saturday morning we went to a friend's birthday party at our preschool playground (which is in their neighborhood)  There was a bouncy house, which made for and lot of toddler dog piles and laughter.  

 Then Saturday evening we went to our friends', the Powells', annual gingerbread house decorating party.  Here is Parks working hard on our Pink Palace.  

 Did I mention that our lovely hostess had a baby on Wednesday?!  This is an annual, much-loved, party, so there was no skipping it.  She made all of the gingerbread houses and the soup we had for dinner in advance.  It was impressive! 

 The Lanier's Ski Cottage

 The Thomas' School Bus

 This is the inside of the Phelps' winning house.  Can you believe this thing?  Yes, that's his Iphone set up as a moving fire place, a Christmas tree complete with wrapped presents, stockings hung, and food on the table.  The  Phelps are always so creative.  

 Here's our finished palace.

 Before the voting we each got to go around and tell the story that goes with our house.  Here is Caroline singing "the Wheels on the Bus" which added a huge cute factor and almost secured them the win.  

 Here is the brand new little man himself, Charlie Powell, just 3 days old.  Precious.

 Ben and Charlotte sneaking candy at the end of the night.  Charlotte and Lily Kate kept asking me when we got to eat the houses.  It seems like total nonsense to a little kid that we would decorate a cookie house with candy and frosting and not eat it at the end.  

 And to close up the weekend I made these this afternoon for Charlotte's class snack tomorrow.  

 Here's my helper.  Merry Christmas, hope you're getting into the spirit at your home!