Christmas is coming!

Yeah! Time for a new background! 2009 isn't going to last too much longer, so here's some partridges and pear trees!

Its been a very busy week as Christmas is getting closer and closer.

On the 12th, AJ and I headed to Midland for his family's annual Christmas Party. This year, we celebrated at the School for Santa's and even got to meet Santa himself. The school is a non-profit organization where men and women from all over the country come to learn how to be Santas and Mrs. Clauses. They give them tricks on how to get the perfect white beard and a vocal coach comes in to teach them how to do the best "ho, ho, ho's!"
All of the kids got to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.
While Santa brought a gift for all of the kids, the adults get to do a little white elephant gift exchange. The game gets a little heated as items are stolen and hop around the room. I've even gotten some heat before from stealing something from AJ's grandma! Everyone hopes and prays to not get the notorious reindeer poop that has been a part of the family game for over 20 years. And guess who got it this year......
AJ!!!!!
The gift wrappers were clever and disguised the poop by wrapping two cans of soup with it. I was lucky enough to steal a fifth of Southern Comfort from AJ's 17-year-old cousin!

On the 13th, it was AJ's 24th birthday! We had a big celebration with my family to celebrate a few other family birthdays as well. Katie turned 4 and here she is holding up some presents.

Cleverly, we wrapped up some clothes in a Victoria's Secret box! Of course she didn't get the joke, but the adults had fun with it!

Greg and the birthday boy!

Brenner opening up some gifts.

Little Joey working on his Zoolander faces!

Katie with Great Grandma and Auntie Mary Anne showing off her new computer.

Two little drummer boys!

Birthday girl!

Blowing out the candle and trying some cake.

Christmas isn't complete without making cookies! I met up with my good friend Lindsey to make Christmas cupcakes and sugar cookies. Our cookie decorating skills are a little lacking, but we had a lot of fun trying!

It seems like just when we've caught up with things, another to do list appears! Have a very happy snowy December!