it's beginning to look a lot like christmas....

the tree has been picked out...

picking out a tree means different things to different people.  for sk it means "going through the forest to find the most perfect christmas tree in all the land."  for hayes it means a chance to run and escape - luckily sk keeps her in check.  and very luckily, hayes thinks trying to escape while sis holds onto her hood is hilarious.  we may need to get that one a leash.

and trimmed.....

first ornament hung by the big girl

hayes is trying hard not to be naughty, but i do find her throwing a round "ball" around the house from time to time...

christmas pajamas are being worn every night....

the house is decorated (in and out). no pics to share for now.

the letter has been written....

complete with a little drawing.  her list: planes, turbo, panties, sofia costume, and mermaid doll.  her elf (lilly - last year it was birdie who she says she still loves but lilly apparently wanted to be her elf this year) and her secret angel (lucy) have been watching every move she makes.  lucy does not change positions - she flies to tell God about sk's days each night and then lands in the same spot on the tv cabinet.  lilly flies to santa and changes positions but she does not do anything naughty or creative.   

we've been to the festival of lights....

roasted marshmellows for smores'.......

  

and we've seen the big man.

hayes could hardly wait to see santa.  she pushed her way through the line and i had to retrieve her a million times.  but when trey put her up there she decided that his lap was no place for her!  she is trying to get down in this pic while sk is telling santa that she would like some new panties for christmas because hers have strings hanging off of them.  awesome.

we've seen and loved the new disney flick, frozen.

luckily trey and i got to take her since mimi came to town and kept hayes...

we're wearing our christmas themed clothes each day....

we are giddy with christmas excitement, maybe a little too giddy - sk seems to be "frolicking" around the classroom at the end of the day instead of quietly lining up.  she is in trouble for this behavior.  she told me this morning - "i think i'll still get gifts from santa because if you learn from your mistakes like i have then you can still get gifts." ha! 

christmas cards have gone out to family and friends (and even more fun - we have been receiving cards from family & friends which means sk and i get to open a little bit of joy every time we visit the mailbox.)  and in a couple of days i'll change my blog header pic to the joyful sister pic that is on our cards....let's face it, it's december and time to say goodbye to the anchor bathing suit pic.

and more holiday cheer is coming.  we have the boat light parade, mt. pleasant christmas parade, parties here and there, sk's christmas performance at school and singing at church, mickey's merry christmas party at disney, etc. 

all of that stuff is fun, but i just hope we can just relax, enjoy it all and remember the reason for the season.  it truly is the most wonderful time of the year!