Christmas Night Lights

We have been slow in getting our Christmas on - getting home from South Africa in the second week of December, fighting jet lag, getting over a cold, and just settling back in has taken priority.

It actually have been nice this year to skip out on Fall, and the busyness that starts in October and doesn't stop till December.

Maybe that is why I am so unorganized this year.

As tradition follows for this crazy year we have had - we are keeping it way simple this Christmas.

One of the three things we picked to do was get our annual picture with Santa - it was little different this year because we discovered a Christmas Night Lights activity and it was a blast.

The kids are getting better and better with Santa, no more standing on a side line - this year they actually sat down - and Hayleigh was holding Mrs Claus's hand (another new - we have never met a Mrs Claus) - my grandmother and parents think it is hilarious!

  I think it is a pretty cool looking Santa.

The kids also got a little paper to write their wish list (I helped since they were pressed for time) but all Ian wants for Christmas - is his oupa from South Africa - so dad please get on the next plane.

  They had some Disney characters walking around - and of course Hayleigh could so not contain herself.  She was so excited - especially for the Frozen gang.  She is the cutest!

  It has been so freezing cold here - like below freezing - and we had planned to go to his event in the cold.

I was so ecstatic when we showed up and they had fire pits under Christmas lights.....

  For a tiny minute it felt just like Germany. 

and you could roast marshmallows and make s'mores.  Uhm, yes please!

   the s'mores were a hit - and oh so delicious!

  Our next stop was Santa's workshop.

  The kids chose to paint little wooden cars, and there was live music while we watched them.

  The turned out pretty awesome!

  A last minute horse carriage ride was in order - and a major hit - even though it was just around a parking lot.  If only it was snowy New York city - but this will have to do.

The kids absolutely loved it.

  It was super fun night, and we even stayed out late - that never happens.

The whole set up was way cool.

I loved this all so much!

  I can't believe that is five days till Christmas.

We are getting the last of the gifts wrapped, baking some Christmas cookies, and decorating gingerbread houses.

It is my favourite time of the year - but it feels so good to slow down, and to not be caught up in the busyness of the holidays.

Happy Christmas week!