Zoe Visits!

Zoe stopped in KC for a short visit before spending the rest of her glorious winter break, now that she's a freshman at George Washington!!, in Aruba.  We didn't get to see too much of her this visit :( but we tried to make the best of the time we did have together!

Cole letting Leo pet his new dog, Vito

It's not family time without a Chinese dinner night!

Visiting Santa

There weren't many folks in line on this day, which is something to be thankful about, so we got a little time with the Big Man all to ourselves.  Sophia had made him a card that she brought along and both of them had quite a list of wants and hopes for Christmas morning.  This Santa was very sweet and I really liked him.  We were also able to take all our own pictures, which is always a plus for me, besides who really needs that random 4X6 for $12.95?!

Polar Express

Sarah, Leo, and Jacob

Lauren, Sophia, and Aubrey

Isaac and Lisa

The kids' dentist (of all people??) puts on a Polar Express event each December.  The kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas just like the kids in the movie. It's free and they rent out the theatre and provide popcorn, fruit snacks and a drink to all the kids.  They collect new toys to deliver to kids in the children hospital for the event.  This is our second year and we think it's pretty fun.  We usually take a crowd with us, but who can turn down a free movie?!

Christmas Tree Time!

It took two trips to the tree lot this year to find our tree.  The first day he just wasn't quite ready and we needed something bigger than what was out!  We buy from the same guy each year and it just didn't seem right to go someplace else.  We asked him to put out some bigger white pines and promised to come back the next day.  We found a beaut!

Not sure why this posted first, but it's the finished product! :) 

I had some good helpers to get out the rest of the decorations too.  Sophia was especially happy to finally have the decorations up and the official start to the Christmas season!  Plus, I thought everything looked better in our new space! :)

The Mayor's Christmas Tree

It seems that the big thing to do around here is to see the Plaza Lights come on on Thanksgiving Night…but after experiencing it a few times, I have to say, as un-Kansas Citian as it is of me, it's not that exciting.  This year we decided to try out the Mayor's Christmas Tree outside of Crown Center.  They light it the Friday after Thanksgiving…and I have to say, it was MUCH better!  It was a bit more festive, less crowded (although still busy), and more fun.  Everyone was in a happy spirit, passing out candles, instead of trying to sell me Starbuck's lattes and light up swords.  I hope this is a tradition we will continue.