christmas day.

Christmas day...AMAZING.

But only because 3 year olds and 6 year olds are the best human beings in the world to share this holiday with.

Hadley could not believe that Santa knew everything she wanted...even the things she only 'thought' about.

And I quote "This guy really gets me."

Carson was thrilled with just getting a box.

Every present that he half opened we would shriek, "It's a box!  It's another box!"

And when anyone else opened a present he would say, 'You got a box too!  Just like me!  We are matchers!!!  We are best friends!'.

This day really is worth all the insanity and alcohol the 24 days before it require.

(Which is a lot of both...A LOT!).

Merry Christmas.

I wish I could throw them in one of Carson's beloved boxes so they stay this way forever.

The pictures are appalling...but you get the point.

santa.

Oh Santa.

I finally found you.

I think I have finally committed to one.

I discovered the best Santa ever.

And he's about 8 miles from my house, there's a food court upstairs, and a needle exchange next door.

Okay...not really.

But it was a little dumpy.

Which is maybe why I loved it most.  

No hoopla.  An old school set up.  And more importantly, NO line.

The kids ran right up to him, he embraced them with open arms, and quickly plopped them on his lap.

They chatted for awhile, they told Santa what their little hearts desired...Hads panicked and said she wanted a Seahawks T-shirt and a Seahawks hat, Carson said he wanted a helicopter.

Santa asked if they had been nice.

Hadley quickly said, "Yes.  I have.  He hasn't."

Carson just looked at the ground.

Then Santa asked Carson if had been naughty, to which Carson quickly replied,

"OF COURSE."

Santa looked to me to see if this was indeed true.  I nodded.

And Hadley put the nail in his coffin by saying that Carson 'hit her all the time'.

(I really need to teach this girl a little something about loyalty).

So Santa went on to explain to Carsie that he needs to be nicer to his sister, and that he needs to help Mama around the house, that he needs to follow the rules, that he needs to wear his bike helmet, and that he needs to stop being naughty if he wants to get a helicopter for Christmas.

Carson silently nodded his head...never making eye contact the big man.

Santa continued his pep talk to both kids, and as they hugged him goodbye he reminded Carson that he still had time to get on the nice list.

They both came running towards me with the hugest smiles, and I asked Carson what Santa said to him...he didn't miss a beat, and promptly replied, 

"He said of course I am gonna get a helicopter."

...and he did.

Because I am a sucker for this kid.

merry christmas.

Love,

The Prentices'.

christmas yo.

I blinked...and it was Christmas Eve.

Here's a whirlwind of festivities we fit in before the big day.

All 24 days that we get before the big day.

And I was away in NYC for 8 of them.

And we were all sick for at least 6 of them.

And my real camera was broken for almost all of them.

December kills me...every year.

I always just need like 4 more days...okay 7...okay 14.

There really needs to be 48 days in December.

Starting the season off right...turkey and 10% IPA's.  

The next day hurt a little.

Skyping the big man.

Awaiting their fate.

Making 'bird houses'...as Carson called it.

Cougan dinner....7 littles...and another on the way.

Notes from Max.

Enjoying the view.

Enjoying our cousins.

Enjoying these guys...and our fifth annual xmas dinner.

Decorating.  Wrapping.  Sorting.

A continual mess.

Snowflake Lane with 5 kids, 3 adults, and some tall Red Robin beers.

3rd year and counting...and only one year we've actually seen the show.

Sick days.

Happy days.

Sleepy days.

Christmas Eve reading with the man he claims he is going to marry.

Baking cookies for St. Nick.

A lot of tasting going on.

Being in awe of the 'village.'

...and often destroying it.

Making sure she is still on the nice list.

She is.

Cheering on the Seahawks...

...just like dad.

Stocking up.

Playing games.

Rare photo ops.

Remembering to hide this little mo fo.

Loving school projects she would come home with.

Did I mention the view?