Merry Christmas!

 

"Christmas means so much because of one special child, but Christmas also reminds us that ALL children are special, that they are gifts from God, gifts beyond price, that mean more than any presents money can buy"   

Ronald Reagan

It's the day before the night before Christmas!

It's a Very busy time of the year! Cookies to bake, presents to wrap, things to do and lots of Christmas TV specials!  I think we've squeezed in more than ever before. Tonight was dinner at the spaghetti factory and the Zoo and it was totally PACKED. I am thankful it was above freezing, but the crowd made it just too difficult to get through things easily.  A trip to Starbucks made the crowds a little easier on the way home.

Tomorrow is....MATCHING PAJAMAS!!!! and listen to Twas the Night Before Christmas as read by Papaw! I can't begin to express my excitement for the first year of all of us in matching pajamas. I can assure you that Troy is not quite as excited about this, but that's OK because I'm excited enough for both of us! I am looking forward to getting up at 4:00 am and sneaking down the stairs to be the first to see if Santa has arrived, putting in the French Toast Casserole and Bacon and starting the coffee. I always promise to touch nothing, but make sure the tree lights are on and everything looks magical! I then tiptoe back up and poke Troy until he wakes up. Troy just does not seem to share the total excitement about Christmas morning, but I am sure the matching pajamas are going to change that this year!

Holiday Happenings Part 2

What a whirlwind week! Thursday was the Yuletide Symphony Celebration. Shelby and Cole got to dress up in their finest and go downtown to see the lights and hear wonderful music.
Friday we were lucky enough to score free tickets to the Indiana Ice Hockey game. This was Shelby's first hockey game. She was pretty impressed!
Mommy and Daddy got a special night out with our wonderful friends at an amazing restaurant on Saturday night.
Sunday the snow came, but that didn't stop us girls from going to Christmas Tea with Mrs. Claus. It's a good thing we got so much snow because the kids were really tired and Cole needed the SNOW DAY today!!! It was a good day to snuggle in and bake cookies and fudge.
I am looking forward to more fun this week, more snow, and getting everything wrapped up!

This would be the look of shock when the fight broke out watching the hockey game.

The Ice mascot actually fell over a wall to come see Shelby.

Happy Girls after Tea.

Love the look of wonder in Shelby's eyes.

Hoffman Holiday Happenings

December is here and we are in full holiday swing at the Hoffman house! It was nice to get a dusting of snow to put us all in the holiday spirit. This past Friday, Cole and Shelby helped with Rotary at the Annual Christmas Parade. We passed out hot chocolate and had a bake sale with the proceeds going to help eradicate polio. Cole worked REALLY hard. It was good to start off the season with a volunteer activity. We will also be taking Christmas Dinner and toys to our local homeless shelter. Cole did this last year and it has truly had a lasting impact on how truly blessed we are as a family. Sunday, we made our way downtown to the Eiteljorg Museum for the new Jingle Rails exhibit. My kids have a love of trains, which I am sure they got from their papaw. Home time is spent cooking, sewing and decorating. Troy is making rum cakes and pondering whiskey and bourbon cakes. I really think he just wants alcohol cakes.

They were passing out Minion hats for free at the parade. Shelby LOVES minions. She was thrilled!

She was so thrilled, she wore it to breakfast.

Please note, this is the first time in a year she has allowed me to put a bow in her hair. I am not sure if the stars will align again for another 364 days.

It only took 30 tries for 2 children to look the same direction with their eyes open.

Monument Circle at Jingle Rails. Such amazing detail.



This is the replica of the Eiteljorg. Very cool Native American Museum in Indianapolis.



He says he wasn't choking her. hmmmmm