Preparation

With Christmas and a new baby boy right around the corner, every minute of every day seems to be filled with preparing for something.

Whether it's wrapping, baking, shopping, washing, folding, organizing, or putting together - it all has to get done around the same time!

Thankfully we have such great helpers at this house.

Andy has been very busy with work as he prepares for some time off in January. However, as soon as he has a few hours off, he is ready to check another item off our list.

 In between work this weekend, we managed to get our cookies baked and frosted, as well as prepare many other goodies. 

 We all put on old aprons that have been passed down to us and got to work.

Marie wins the most helpful award.

 

 Andy wins the award for putting the most frosting on each individual cookie.

 Bennett wins the award for eating the most frosting while actually completing the least amount of cookies.

 And Mom just wins an award for fitting into an apron this far along in the pregnancy!

We also managed to squeeze in some fun surprises for the kids. 

After dinner at a restaurant (always a big deal for them), the boys spent an hour in Scheels doing what they love while Marie was surprised with a big sister gift of a mani/pedi at the mall with mom. She loved her time away from the boys and is looking forward to this alone time with Mom whenever she can get it.

 

When we got home the kids opened up their Christmas 2014 ornaments. 

Bennett received a Husker helmet while Marie opened up her horse ornament.

They were both very excited with their new ornaments!

Although this was a busy weekend it was spent with family which is just how we like it.