Non-Stop Christmas!

The week before Christmas Aunt Lee, Elsa, and Claire came to Michigan to visit.  We all got to spend a lot of time with both Grandma and Grandpa Baldwin and Grandpa and Grandma Jernstadt and the kids had so much fun playing with their cousins.

One of the first activities we did with the kids was to make gingerbread cupcakes.  I bought a kit which included the mix and lots of candy decorations.  It's one of those projects that you know will take longer to clean up after than actually do.  The kids had a lot of fun with it and the cupcakes actually turned out pretty good to eat too!

Here they are frosting and decorating.

Some finished cupcakes.

Next was round 1 of present opening with Grandma and Grandpa Baldwin.

Here are the little girls getting ready for the party.

Let the unwrapping frenzy begin!

Carter got a really neat Hess truck from Grandma and Grandpa, according to Carter this truck has "a ton of cool lights."

Carter also got a totally awesome Transformer from Lee, Bob, Elsa, and Claire.  It is a gigantic ship one minute and transforms into a big scary guy the next.  What could be better!

Mia received a vintage Cabbage Patch Kid from Lee, Bob, Elsa, and Claire.  So 80's and cool!  She even has Xavier Roberts' signature on her butt like the originals and smells like that distinct Cabbage Patch baby power smell.  Her name is Elyssa and she was born on Feb. 15th.  Mia absolutely loves her.  I love that Elyssa looks almost exactly like one of my Cabbage Patch kids when I was little!

Mia also got a neat Barbie doll with convertible from Grandpa and Grandma.  That convertible has already logged more miles around the house than most of Carter's cars.

Carter playing with the transformer ship.

Elsa and her new La La Loopsy doll.

Later that evening Cheryl, Abby, and Joe stopped over and brought more presents!

Notice the creative wrapping that Abby did with the presents.  Claire was ecstatic when she discovered this Swiss Miss box under her wrapping paper (and she hadn't even looked inside to find her present yet!). 

Carter got his present in this brownie mix box (which is perfect for him since he loves brownies).

The little girls got some musical instruments which they showed off during this dance.

Present frenzy #2 was at Grandpa and Grandma Jernstadt's house.

We had a fabulous breakfast before presents, the kids especially liked the little dining tables.

Then it was on to the huge stacks of presents!

Mia received a Dora tree house, a calendar, slippers, a harmonica, and princess dominoes!



Carter received a Sponge Bob marble game (which he has almost mastered already), a collapsible ball, a Velcro ball game, a super long grabber thing, and a calendar.

Lots of hugs for Grandma and Grandpa.

We had so much fun with everyone and are so glad Aunt Lee, Elsa, and Claire stayed with us for the week.  We missed Uncle Bob though!

Stay tuned for more Christmas celebrations!