With Kevin sick with strep since Thursday, and the cold outside temperatures driving us inside for long stretches at a time, I decided it would be well worth our time to spend a couple of hours at the gym. I first dropped the boys off in their respective kids' play areas, then headed to the cardio floor for my own workout. After 45 minutes on the elliptical and treadmill, I collected my boys and headed to the indoor pool. Even if it's for only a short time, they enjoy the chance to splash around, jump off the diving board, and show off their skills in the pool.
This time around, as Nick was doing his usual routine of climbing out of the pool then climbing back down the steps to jump into my arms, he discovered the foam pool noodles. After grabbing one and jumping back in, his bravery kicked in and he put the noodle under his arms and started kicking around the pool. This was a great rememberance of the fun from last summer and a glance toward what is sure to be a summer filled with fun and exciting firsts.
Kevin's Gingerbread House Project
Nick didn't contribute much effort in decorating the gingerbread house, but he'll make up for it when it comes time to eat it!
The best Gingerbread House yet.
This year's new tradition, a Christmas Eve gift. We got a new game to play during game time.
The boys are excited to get Jenga Max and can't wait to see what it's all about a little later in the night.
Making reindeer food: oats and colored sugar. This way, Santa's reindeer can find our house.
Liam strings cranberries and popcorn for one of the trees in the front of the house.
Ben has a go at stringing cranberries and popcorn.
Nick is more interested in eating the popcorn.
The boys didn't last long enough to make a lot of strands of popcorn and cranberries, but it was a fun craft and a nice entrance to our walkway.
Carolyn and the boys are making salt dough ornaments that will be part of our gifts to the families.
Ben makes his apple santa.
Liam makes his apple santa.
A finished Apple Santa.
Liam is sprinkling reindeer food in the front yard.
Nick dumps his reindeer food.
Ben sprinkles his reindeer food. He makes sure to put some in the yard next door so Santa doesn't forget to go there, too.
The boys hang the Santa Key on the front door so that Santa can get into our house, since we don't have a fireplace. 
Our three handsome boys ready for bed so Santa can visit. 
Cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.
Our last craft was snowflakes on the gift bags, made from each of the boys' hand prints and blue glitter.
Our tree with gifts and stockings from Santa, as well as presents from Mom and Dad.
On Sunday, we traveled to Mansfield to have Christmas with the Englishes. That's a lot of presents when there are 3 families with 6 adults and 8 grandchildren.
