jolly old st. nicholas.

We saw Santa today at Penn Square Mall (for the tenth time this year, says Jeb). I have a picture with the Penn Square mall Santa every year since Reid was born and I just couldn't break tradition. It was a complete success too! And although there was no crying, Rush didn't flash his  adorable smile because he was really curious about Santa and all of the kids hanging out in line! 

Three beautiful, wonderful, amazing children...feeling extra blessed this holiday season! #thankyouJesus

Reid has asked Santa for something different every single time. And LilliAnn says today, "I just don't understand because that Santa looked different than Santa at the Country Club. And the Santa at Grove looked different than Mrs. Schooler's Santa. I guess the real Santa has a lot of helper Santas."

Poor girl, she's so confused! 

elf on the shelf. 2013

Our annual "North Pole Breakfast" was held at the lake house this year. The kids were really surprised that Chippy made his appearance at our lake house, and were super excited about his arrival! I love doing this breakfast because it is a great way to kick off the holiday season and get the kids excited about Christmas! 

…..

…..

Chippy was being his usual silly elf self! 

…..

This year, Chippy brought a special guest with him! LilliAnn decided to name her "Ellie," and absolutely LOVED her red tutu!

…..

…..

…..

…..

Look at these two Christmas cuties! 

…..

…..

…..

At our house, the elves don't lose their magic if you touch them. 

…..

…..

Chippy and Ellie even brought new ornaments for the Christmas tree, as well as a few other surprises! LilliAnn loved her sticker book and Reid was so pumped about his Duck Dynasty Christmas DVD! 

…..

We weren't home a lot during December due to our snow skiing trip and staying at the lake during Christmas, but Chippy and Ellie still had plenty of time to get into mischief! Some of their 2013 holiday adventures included making snow angels in our kitchen, taking a ride in LilliAnn's Barbie car, reading books in the kids' bedrooms, having a tea party with Buzz and Woody in the playroom, slam dunking on Reid's basketball goal, and dressing up in their OU/OSU gear for the Bedlam game! We have a lot of fun with the elves and can't wait to see what these two have in store for next year! 

Christmas at Papa Jeff's. 2013

Quick picture recap of Christmas at Jeb's dad's in Byng

…..

…..

I brought red velvet and hot chocolate cupcakes and they were a HUGE hit! 

…..

Reid was so excited to open his presents with Jett! 

…..

The boys loved their Under Armour beanies! 

…..

Uncle Josh - checking out the boys' new camo hunting backpacks

…..

Us girls got Under Armour beanies too! 

…..

The best (but most annoying) gifts? Kazoos! 

…..

…..

My sweet, baby girl in her new Matilda Jane constellation dress

…..

little gamers 

…..

Papa Jeff with his boys

…..

and with his little boys...

…..

…..

It was such a fun day, and we can't wait to go back and visit Papa Jeff soon! 

Santa. 2013

The kids were really into Santa this year. Reid was cheesin' so big in the picture! It makes me smile every time that I look at it. LilliAnn wanted her baby to be in the picture too! I love how she's wearing the same dress as she wore in her very first picture with Santa…only in a bigger size! We always go to the same "real" Santa at Penn Square mall, and I love that I have Santa pictures through the years - they are one of my favorite things (like Christmas jammies)! 

…..

LilliAnn had just woken up when we first got to the mall, and these were the first shots that we got. When she saw them on the computer screen, she was upset because she wasn't smiling so she wanted to take another picture with Santa! I think it's because I set out all of the previous Santa pictures on our dining room table at Christmas time. She is crying in the other pictures and she always asked, "Why is Reid smiling and I'm being whiney?" I think she really wanted to be smiling this year too! So…we got back in the Santa line (luckily it was really short and Santa was super nice) and took more pictures. The next one turned out perfect! 

…..

Reid's First Christmas - 2008

.

…..

LilliAnn's First Christmas - 2010 (At two years old, Reid was NOT feeling Santa this year and there was no way of getting him into the picture!) 

…..

Christmas 2009

…..

Christmas 2011 & Christmas 2012

Christmas jammies.

It's no secret… I LOVE Christmas jammies! And this set has to be one of my favorites so far! They just scream - "classic, timeless, traditional Christmas pajamas." The kids were supposed to wear them for their Santa mini session, but they didn't come in soon enough. Luckily, the kids let me get a few shots of them in front of the tree!  

…..

…..

 

…..

…..

 Christmas jammies - 2012

…..

 The kids loved the Santa suits! 

…..

 …..

…..

Christmas jammies - 2011

…..

…..

…..

 Christmas jammies - 2010

…..

…..

…..

Apparently, I didn't do very well on pictures of Christmas jammies 2009! I was pregnant with LilliAnn and must have forgotten to take pics! 

…..

 Christmas jammies - 2008: The very first year of Christmas jammies! 

…..

…..