Caden's Christmas Craft

Caden's craft this year was a foam gingerbread house. It was a bigger craft, so we spread it out over 2 days. The age was 6+, but I figured he could do it. He did a really nice job with it. He even looked at the picture to see where certain things are supposed to go. Then at the end he put some gumdrops down on the snow to use as stepping stones like at his cousins' house (they have stepping stones as a sidewalk). He put any of the extra pieces inside the house and called them witches (guess he's thinking of Hansel and Gretel).

He kept sticking the gumdrops to his hand.

He's showing the gumdrop stepping stones to Abby.

Abby was pretty impressed.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!
Love, Abigail and Caden

The Boettger Story

Every year Jason's parents write "The Boettger Story", a summary of what's been going on in the past year. When we got it, I taped it up on the closet door with the rest of the cards, and Abigail walked by and pulled it down. From then on she's been carrying it around along with her peach colored crayon. This is her favorite spot to sit and "read" it.

Lights

Last Saturday we went to look at the lights set up in Nay Aug Park. After getting into our pj's, we were on our way. Caden fell asleep on the way there and was hard to wake up, but he did. He was good until about half way through, then he was ready to head home. Abigail was making happy sounds, but we think it was because Funny Bunny was along for the ride. We're not sure how much she could see anyhow since she's still facing backwards. Note to self: use Jason's car next year...not something I'd recommend doing in a stick shift.

A beaver chopping down a tree.
Jason's 1st thought: falling broccoli (I always think of falling broccoli at Christmastime, don't you??)

A couple of penguins and an igloo.
Caden's 1st thought: an egg

I couldn't get a picture of Abby because she was sitting behind me...sorry Abby!
On our way out we passed 2 houses that were in Caden's words, "All decked out!"

Holding Hands

This is a rare thing to see around here, so of course I had to take a few pictures.

They were having trouble deciding which way to go.

Homemade Teacher Gifts

I decided for Caden's first teacher gifts ever to do something homemade (pretty much the only thing I know how to knit)...dishcloths. Caden has 4 teachers, and I had 3 designs in mind, so 12 dishcloths isn't that bad, right? Let's just say that I'm glad I started in the beginning of October because I just finished them up yesterday. I got the red ornament design from Designs by Emily (click on that name to link to her website). With her design, I was able to make my own patterns for the tree and snowflake. In true snowflake fashion, all 4 are different (I had trouble deciding on one I liked).

I found these cute little boxes on sale at A.C. Moore for $.70 each. The 3 dishcloths fit perfectly. Then with my mother-in-law's homemade name tag ornaments to complete the look (thanks Carole), we were finished. Each box cost me about $3 each...not bad!

Secret Spies

You might think you know these people...but I wouldn't be so sure!
(Abby started out as our target but then grabbed a blanket and put it over her head, so she joined our group as mini spy)

Just the Fit

Elf Yourself

I'm sure you remember that we are fans of Elf Yourself...so here's this year's video:

OUR ELF VIDEO

"Who Wants to Have a Merry Christmas?"

Caden and Abigail were in a play at church this past Sunday. It was a spoof of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" Caden had the best line which we practiced for weeks. We would say, "Or is it D", and he would finish with, "The Birth of Jesus!" Abigail's part was to carry a star and stand next to her brother to help the contestant realize that the birth of Jesus is the answer to the question, "What Does Christmas Really Mean?" Mammy, Aunt Erin, Nana, and Papa were all able to enjoy the play with us.

She was so excited to do her part.

She wasn't happy when we kept pulling her back. I didn't think she'd keep the angel wings on, but she did!

There she goes again!
She kept peeking around the corner and calling to Caden.

Jason got to be one of the wise men and help the contestant answer the question when she polled the audience.

This pictures shows how Abigail started swinging her star around and got Caden right in the eye :) He was all smiles about it. It would've been a different story had we been home.

She just stood there nice and still.

Mom and I were trying to think of what this picture reminded us of...maybe Precious Moments figurines?

Tree Hunting

On Saturday, we all traveled up to Roba's Tree Farm to hunt down our Christmas Tree. It was freezing, but we were bundled up pretty well. Caden wasn't in the mood to get his picture taken (again), but I did snap a quick few.

Neither kid wanted anything to do with Santa, but we did see him on Sunday and last night, and both times Caden sat on his lap.

Checking out our tree from every angle.

Tightening up the tree stand.

"I'll get this screw back here!"

"Everybody stand back!"