Christmas Tree Farm and Other Shenanigans

Since we have a fake Christmas tree, Mom and Dad invited us to tag along with them to Cackler Farms to cut down their tree (Cackler Farms).  It was a little chilly outside, but perfect for cutting down a tree!  The kids got a kick out of the whole thing.  They also had a little play area for the kids and Colin DID NOT want to leave!

I love this picture of the kiddos -- it's currently my phone wallpaper.

Poppa was a good sport and pulled the kids around

Dad cutting down the tree with Danny and Colin's "assistance"

Ha, yeah right

Cadence liked this little tree

Mom was "Mystery Reader" for Cadence's class a couple of weeks ago.  It's a pretty cute concept -- each day leading up to Friday, the teacher tells the kids a clue about the Mystery Reader and the kids try to guess who it will be.  Mom brought 3 new books to read to Cadence's class.  Cadence was so excited when Mom (and Colin) showed up.  I may or may not be the Mystery Reader in January! ;) Shhhh!

They had lunch with Cadence's class that day.

Here's Cadence "telling" us, "deuces, love."  It's something Danny made up a while back, and it stuck!

Ya know, when it gets cold outside, and you're bored, you shoot arrows at the windows and try to get them to stick!

A few weeks ago, we barely got enough snow to play!

Later that evening, Mom's company had their Christmas party at the Columbus Zoo.  She's able to invite the whole family.  We always have a great time.  Cadence made sure to pose at the proper locations.

On Grandma Friday, Mom was able to bribe Colin into wearing his new sweater that I got him for his Christmas Program.  He looked quite dapper!

The Christmas Program this year was really cute.  Most of the classes had cute outfits or props to go along with their song/performance.  Colin's class was dressed up as different farm animals.  You can see the Christmas program by clicking on the link below -- his class starts at about 28 minutes in.
2016 Christmas Program

Afterward, I always like to snap a few photos because the church is decorated really pretty for Christmas.  One child was enjoying the photo op -- the other, not so much.

This year, I felt like Cadence was finally at a good age where she would appreciate and enjoy seeing The Nutcracker.  Again, we had some nice mommy/daughter time!  I think she really liked the show!

That night, Danny and I took the kids to the mall to see Santa.  The entire time we stood in line, Colin said he would not sit on Santa's lap (or even go near him, for that matter).  Toward the end of the line, they had a balloon artist making balloon animals for the kids.  It helped lighten the mood for sure.

As it became our turn, I basically had to pull Colin over to where Santa was sitting.  The photographer suggested that Colin could sit on a little Rudolph that they had near Santa for the picture.  As I was trying to coax Colin to sit on Rudolph, he suddenly said, "I want to sit on him's lap."  Danny and I were both astonished.  I asked Santa if it was okay if both kids sat on his lap and I plopped Colin down before he could change his mind.  Colin got this huge grin on his face and Santa let Cadence read off every item on their list.  It was a really cute moment.

The next day, the Porter-Kingston Fire District Santa Tour made its way down our street!  Colin stayed away from Santa, but Cadence and Mom wanted a picture taken.  Each Sunday before Christmas, the Porter-Kingston Firefighters escort Santa around the townships so he knows which houses to visit on Christmas Eve. ;)