Advent and Christmas in Minnesota

December was a wonderful month as well. 

Advent with little kids is pretty amazing and they loved all the rituals--lighting the wreath (which they had helped make at church), reading our Advent book, discovering what ornament was hiding in each day of the Advent Calendar. 

And, oh! the planning--trying to decide what gifts to get each other--the girls learning how to pick presents for someone based on what the receiver would like instead of just what they would like (Siri was convinced she needed to get Eric a dragon costume, unfortunately none was to be found, so she settled on a dragon so he could play with her.) 

The girls loved playing with our nativity scene, loved singing Christmas songs, and decorating and redecorating our tree. We celebrated St. Nick's day -- a bit at home, and Annie found he had visited her school as well. We celebrated St. Lucia day, and the girls talked eagerly about when they're just a bit older and can make the treats and coffee all by themselves. We all had a wonderful time meeting Santa and celebrating Christmas with friends at the Carsons' Holiday Party.

This year, the whole family was involved in the church Christmas Pageant. Siri as a lamb, Annie as a star, Eric as an accompanist, and Jenia as director.

We loved going to see the Holidazzle two times--once at the beginning of the season with the Larsens, and once right before our trip to AZ with the Simons, Kahnerts, and Carsons. 

We celebrated with Eric's family the Saturday before Christmas, 

and then Sunday after church headed to Arizona.

It was a full and crazy month--we loved all the outings and time with friends and family. 

And, we loved the quiet moments on the couch together at the end of each day to do our Advent reading and the calendar. 

The girls ready to wake Daddy up on St. Lucia's Day.

Siri being silly at the Carsons' Party before meeting Santa

The Christmas Pageant! Siri as a lamb, and

Annie as a Star

One week before Christmas, Eric and I got to attend the girls' dance classes for Parent Night. They both seem to love it, and it was a blast to watch. 

Siri, Annie, and Ella heading into the Macy's 8th Floor Display: A Day in the Life of an Elf

And, then, after a tasty dinner--all ready to watch the Holidazzle!

And, then, the Saturday before Christmas, we celebrated "Christmas in Minnesota," opening a few presents at home before heading over to Eric's dad's and then mom's...

...as pirates...

...and a big hug...

reading with Uncle Jeff

And, with Grandma Barb

 Since we were going to be gone for a good chunk of time, we took our Christmas tree down and brought it outside. The girls prepared pinecones with peanut butter and birdseed, a string of cranberries, and some carrots and we decorated the tree in our backyard so the animals would get to have their own Christmas tree. Given the size of the squirrels and the now-empty tree, I'm pleased to report that they seemed to enjoy it!

Ah...this picture goes up towards the top, I'm not sure why it ended up here...Here is Annie at tap class...Doesn't she look old? Yikes.