'Tis the season!

'Tis the Season!  I absolutely love the time of year between Thanksgiving and Christmas and learned that having kids makes it SO much better!  Watching Drew take everything in was so cool -- Elfie returned to kick it all off, and once the all the Christmas lights were up in the neighborhood he was ready for the Christmas Season!  And Reese, well, she she goes with the flow - smiling all the way!

Grandma and Grandpa Merrill took Drew to Pro Bass where they had a giant Christmas Tree!  He loves all the festive stuff - such a happy boy!

Look - it's a KICKIN'!   Ever since the Halloween witch in the neighborhood made her debut in a kettle with her legs sticking up - anything with it's legs sticking up is called a KICKIN'!  

Time to put the aprons on and make some cut-out cookies!  Grandma and Grandpa Merrill had some fun with Drew making cutouts.  He just loves helping and had a great time baking with them (and mommy loves those cookies too -- YUMMY!)

"Do it all by myself!"

Mr. Independent had a great time making his cookies and was so proud to show me when I got home :-)

We attended the annual Hunter's Green Santa Breakfast... and can you say EPIC FAIL???  For the second year in a row Drew had a meltdown with Santa.  I don't even have one picture that I can put in.  He wouldn't get close enough for even a quick shot.

Instead, he snuggled up under the tree with Reese :-)

We also had our annual Christmas Cookie Making Day with Raquel and Ali!  It has been a 4 year tradition and SO MUCH FUN!  We take an entire day and make all sorts of fun treats - always making some family favorites and trying some new recipeies.   It just puts us all into the holiday spirit!

This year the entire crew (Titi Raquel, Ali, Brandon and Hernando) all arrived wearing Christmas antlers -- so cute!  Oh, and they brought a dancing Christmas tree that Drew loved!  We actually used is as potty training bribery for a couple days :-)

You're so silly, Titi!

Hernando very carefully placing the M&Ms on top of the Rolos - such a pro.  Of course Ali was managing this project with flying colors!

MUUUUHHHHAAA!  Christmas kisses!

 I've wrote before about our super fun neighborhood - and the holiday season festivities make no exception for the awesomess we have here!  One of the families coordinated a Christmas Caroling night for the kids.  It was a madhouse before we took off, but once we all go going they all marched along from house to house (girls were definitely more into this activity!)

Drew was more interested in carrying around the candy cane (and swinging it like a bat) then he was with actually singing!

Such fun and special memories were made this holiday season leading up to Christmas!  Drew was so happy and just embraced all the holiday activities (including "helping" wrap gifts, "helping" decorate the tree and "helping" dad hang lights), which made this Christmas season so very special!