The many days of "decorating" for Christmas

First off, a little warning for yall...we do a lot of things shirtless around here when it comes to the girls...so watch out;)

It has taken us several days weeks to prepare for Christmas. Normally we are pretty much on the ball and have one huge event baking, decorating and preparing, but this year...things were a little crazy! Sooo, we started getting ready the few days before Thanksgiving (don't judge!).

One afternoon right before Thanksgiving, we decided to get out our tree and decorate it. We normally do the "tree thing" right after Thanksgiving, but since we were going to be in Disney, we figured we should get it out beforehand and make it special. So after naps, we made some cookies then painted them. this is a tradition we've been doing for years and years at Mimi and Papas...the girls LOVE painting their cookies! 

Shirtless, yes....but having fun none-the-less;)

pausing to take a group shot

 After making our wonderful Christmas cookies, we got out all the Christmas books and decorations. The girls loved looking at all the books. Here they are holding up "their favorite books"

Later on after Andy got home from work, we set up the tree. Kendall putting on her first ornament

I realized only Kendall had Christmas jammies...I guess I'm going to have to remedy that...

About 2 weeks (or so) later, we decided to make Christmas trees using ice cream cones and frosting. The girls LOVED doing this. This is the first year we've done this and I think we're going ot keep this tradition going:)

The girls each decorating their own tree

The finished trees (round one of the trees...oh, we kept making them!)

So excited about all this forced family fun;)

Since we had left over decorations,we made sugar cookies and then decorated them as well...we were all on a sugar high...can you tell Andy was gone;)

Then, this past weekend we received a Gingerbread house form Granny. So, we spent Sunday, after naps, decorating the house. I think I spent more time policing Kendall...she is definitely a candy stealer;)

having fun decorating

all smiles (or just on a sugar high...you decide!)

inspecting their work and trying to decide where to put the next candy...

 MC and daddy...she spent her time eating an apple...she doesn't need any more sugar;)

the finished project with the landscaping;) 

Alley and Kendall had a little "program" at school for Christmas. they sang several songs and got to see Santa (that went over well with Kendall!). I had a little trouble with my camera settings...so these aren't the best shots. 

Alley and Kendall before the "show"

Kendall singing and clapping a long...she did GREAT! what a cutie:) She spent most of the time waving like the queen and with a huge grin on her face. Adorable:)

 I had a hard time getting a picture of Alley since she was in the back and the kids in front of her always managed to be in the way:) Here she is with her friendLucas. 

I think we are now ready for Christmas:) But I can't promise you we wont be in the kitchen again creating new yummy treats...or just painting more cookies;) Have a very Merry Christmas!!