December

In early December, we attended the Alexandra's House Christmas party.  The kids had the opportunity to visit with Santa.  Hadley wasn't too sure about whether or not Santa could be trusted, but the big kids were very brave and shared a few items from their wish list with Old Saint Nick.

Hadley and I made the rounds at Connor and Kylee's school Winter Parties.  Hadley has become the unofficial Alexandar Doniphan mascot. :)  It was hilarious to see the way the kids gather around her, particularly in Connor's class.  She ate the attention right up.

In the center of the action!

We were very ready for Christmas break at the Carlson house.  While we love having fun things to do and participate in on a weekly basis, the constant activities and obligations associated with extra curricular activities, work, and school (let me give a shout out to my husband who aced his first semester in his MBA program!) had worn us all out, and we were eagerly anticipating the break in the routine.  The kids and I were happy to waltz out of school knowing that break was beginning.

Our Christmas preparations included assembling and decorating a Gingerbread house.  Uncle Craig assisted us with the design effort:

The finished product...and a glimpse of the beautiful anniversary roses my hubby gave me (12 years, folks)!