Holiday Bucket List Complete

Despite the short window between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we managed to check everything off our holiday bucket list. The final items were: a candy cane hunt, gingerbread boys, visiting the trains at the Botanical Gardens, driving around to look at holiday lights, and a trip to Candy Cane Lane downtown (which happened after Christmas, but that's ok!).

Alex's finished nutcracker

Hunting candy canes

Trains at the Gardens

Reindeer!

Downtown Kalamazoo

Candy Cane Lane (new candy canes)

Candy Cane Lane (old candy canes)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! The boys woke us up at 6:45 on Christmas morning (the earliest we said we would get out of bed) and we all went downstairs together to see if Santa paid us a visit. We were not disappointed! While we waited for the cinnamon rolls and bacon to cook, the boys read Christmas books by the fire. After breakfast, we started on our stockings. Then the boys opened matching gifts from Santa. They were so excited that he brought them hover boards! After that, we took our time opening gifts and would stop to play as we went. Grandma came at 10:45 and Alex was so excited to get a Build-a-Bear gift card. Will was thrilled with his autographed Dylan Larkin jersey. Since it was 55 degrees and sunny, we went out side to try out the hover boards. The boys were naturals. After Grandma left, we went for a hover board walk, played some of our new games, and watched Home Alone. It was another wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Eve

We spent a nice, long afternoon celebrating Christmas Eve at the Hofmeyer's. It was a small group this year and we missed those that couldn't be with us: Katie and Will (Katie had to go home sick) and of course, Grandpa. But, we played several games, watched A Charlie Brown Christmas, the boys entertained us with Christmas carols on the piano, we snacked all afternoon, and of course, opened presents. On our way home, we drove through East Grand Rapids to look at the decorations and luminaria. When we got home, the boys put out cookies for Santa.

Unwrapping the Saran Wrap Ball

Alex Shark - do, do, do, do, do do....