The Journey of an Elf part 1

To some this is a silly post, but I want to remember the "mischeif" our Elf did this year and the things that our kids said about finding him.

 The evening of Thanksgiving, the kids opened the box that had our Elf and the story.

 During the story, it asks you to name your Elf. Kaitlyn jumped and said, "I want to name him Jingle Bells!" What a perfect name! We call him "Jingles" for short. After the kids went to bed, Jingles got hungry....

he had some s'mores

  The kids both looked in the last place he was watching from. He wasn't there... that's when they looked up!

The next day he put window clings on our windows and left some for the kids to put up with Grandma and Grandpa.

 This morning Jacob was the first awake. He looked all around for Jingles. Kaitlyn got up shortly after him, and they both found him at the same time!

He built a house...

later that night, I noticed the kids built a castle in front of him!

 When Jacob woke up, he looked up and said, "Jingles is way up in the sky!" Later, I asked Kaitlyn, "Where do you think Jingles is tying to go?" She said, "to the fan!"

Weeeeeeeee!

It took a while for the kids to notice Jingles changed the socks...

Hmmm... I wonder what he's up to now??

Kaitlyn found him and the present he wrapped! 

blending in with the advent calendar, Kaitlyn almost missed him!

Where's Jingles?

looks up to no good...

 

He wrote a note on the bathroom mirror, "Merry Christmas!"

We have had record high temperatures for this time of year, high 70s! This is December.... right? Even Jingles was getting a little warm, so he found a place in the fridge to hide :) 

 The kids enjoyed their colorful milk with breakfast. Kaitlyn said, "I have pink milk!"

still warm outside, keeping cool :)

do you see what I see?

story time with Jingles. Can you find him?

baked cookies for himself

Mustached our photos. They are a little crooked now...

All this mischief makes Jingles sleepy

sleeping in the tissues was not a good idea... Jingles got "sick"

making sure you finish your dinner

sledding!

on the mantle

waiting for his turn in the shower :)

 There's 11 more days of Jingles fun, stay tuned for "part 2" :)

Thanksgiving!

We had visitors this Thanksgiving, and had quite the feast! Grandma and Grandpa Van drove down to spend the "weekend" with us.

I made a 13 pound turkey, using Ina Garten's "Accidental Turkey" recipe. It turned out EXCELLENT!!! (the recipe can be found here) I also made home made mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, a chocolate pudding pie (my Grandma Van's recipe, mmm mmm mmm), a small batch of stuffing (just stove top), and corn.

My mom prepped a few things at her house and brought them to be baked upon their arrival. She made a delicious chutney, sweet potatoes, a corn bread stuffing (gluten free), and pumpkin pie (also gluten free). EVERYTHING was delicious!!!!! There was soooooo much going on in the kitchen that we didn't any pictures of the turkey or of the FEAST we ate. Bummer....

We did have a nice visit with them. It was too short, but we will be in Michigan soon :) Here's the pictures we did get of their visit :)

Mommy and Kaitlyn making the pie, the night before

Playing a game!

 The next day, Daddy and Grandpa got lights to put on our house!

don't fall!

having lunch, turkey leftovers :)

almost done!

nice sunny day for November!

family shot :)

silly kiddos

Jacob explaining the rules?

trying to get a picture for our Christmas card

silly girl...

I think we got "the shot" for our card :)

festive with Grandpa

all giggles in here

Us with our lights (if you can see us)

more game playing

putting up window clings

It won't be long before we get to see them, and all our family, soon!!!! Thanks for making the trip, Grandma and Grandpa! and Thank you for your help with our feast and putting up lights :) What a treat!