Thanksgiving, Decorating and Chipper

We had a very good Thanksgiving.  The whole family got together and had some really good food.  Hayden, Gracie and Colton got to play with their cousins Katelyn, Maeleigh and Lucas.  After lots of yummy food and fun, we went with Aunt Kim, Uncle Artie, Mimi and Pop to get our Christmas Tree.  I said that we weren't going to decorate it on Thursday night, but guess what we did!  We started by putting the lights on and we did this with the help of Colton too.  Hayden was a big help this year.  She stood on one side of the tree and me on the other and we got the lights up really fast.  Gracie tried to assist but she would adjust the lights as we passed by.  At least she was helping!  Then I told them that we would finish decorating it on Friday.  Well, anyone that knows me knows that didn't happen.  I couldn't stand it, so when the Colt Man went to bed.  I got the girls and we decorated!  It was so much fun listening to them get excited about their ornaments.  I loved looking at all of them too.  Of course we hung all the important ones in very special places so that we could enjoy looking at them.  I love Christmas time.  I really love to have a fire in the fireplace and the only lights in the house are the Christmas tree lights.  I think the girls like it too!  We have been reading a Christmas book every night, starting on Thanksgiving night.  I read it first, then Hayden reads it again.  We also put out all of the other decorations but I didn't finish all of that until yesterday.  They get so excited every time they come in and something new is out. 

Chipper, our elf on the shelf also came back on Thanksgiving night.  He took Christmas tree lights and put them all over the kitchen counter and even hung them from the ceiling fan.  You should have heard the squeals when they got up Friday morning.  Then the second night, Chipper did a little bit of Construction work.  He loaded up some oranges, cupcakes and marshmallows in his tractor and dumped them into the dump truck.  Who knew this could be so much fun?  Mark is really having fun this year too.  Then the 3rd night, Chipper got a huge stick from the yard put fishing line on it and threw some goldfish crackers in the toilet and went fishing.  I tell you, though when you hear the little squeals and the laughter it is music to your ears.  Last night, little Chipper squirted toothpaste all over my mirror and bathroom counter.  They couldn't believe it this morning.  The first thing they do when they get up is start looking for Chipper to see what he has done.  He has had all good reports for Santa so far.  They are being on their best behavior.  Not that they are ever bad!  I would love to put all the pictures on here, but it will not let me update all of them. 

Here are my loves!  Hayden had to hold Colton still!  Gracie wasn't smiling but I still love this picture!