Christmas Adventures part 1

My mom flew into town last Thursday night so we headed to the mall on Friday morning to see Santa.
We did a lot of "talking" Santa up to Austin so he would be willing to sit on his lap.  He finally said he wouldn't sit on his lap but would sit next to him.

Austin loved seeing him but Miller didn't.  He was pretty scared of the big guy.  He finally warmed up after a little while.  Austin told Santa that he wanted a Buzz Lightyear Rescue Man...this was the first time I had heard him ask for this but he continued to ask for it throughout the day so Uncle Toph to the rescue.  He went to Toys R Us in NYC at 2:30 am after he got off work and then brought it with him the next day.

As a treat for seeing Santa they gave out Ghirardelli chocolate...not sure if this is the best thing to give little kids as you can see with Miller below.  
That afternoon we made Gingerbread houses.  We ran out of supplies so we had to make do with what I had on hand so Austin's house is both white and chocolate icing but they really had fun making them.

Miller consumed more candy than he put on his house.  They were both on a major sugar high that evening and didn't want to eat dinner.  Note to self...may want to make Gingerbread Houses in the morning next year.

Austin loved having Gigi read one of his favorite books, Mortimer's Christmas Manger. 
Miller loved playing with Uncle Toph.

Christmas Eve we baked reindeer cookies for Santa and 
a birthday cake for Jesus.
We finished our Advent Series.  Austin loved doing this at night.  
We made a rudolph craft and one little guy loved wearing it around.

The other little guy loved it for about 5 seconds.  
Uncle Toph loved wearing it around as well. =)
We left cookies and milk out for Santa...
and made some food for Santa's reindeer and sprinkled it on our sidewalk.  

Uncle Toph and Gigi helped dress the boys in their reindeer pj's and then read some stories before we tucked them in for the night.  
Christmas Day post to follow...