Christmas Eve in St. Charles!

Boy did Christmas come upon us fast this year. Luckily Anthony has finished all his boards, and just in time to help out with everything Christmas. We both love Christmas, so it's been really fun this year to be able to have Anthony around with nothing else on his mind, no pressing matters or tests, a first in 9 years. We made a big list of everything that we wanted to do and needed to get done before Christmas and it was a lot of help, made it not so stressful. With no family or friends this year for Christmas there was no pressure, so we were really able to enjoy it. I thought it would have been incredibly lonely, but we had such a fun time.

We made Gingerbread houses 

 The kids picked out what candy they wanted to buy and put on their gingerbread houses

 sharing tips and tricks 

 London took his job very seriously.

 We'll be sad to take the decorations down this year. I love the ambiance the lights give off.

 On Christmas Eve afternoon, we drove to St. Charles to their spectacular Old Fashion Christmas. I'm so glad we got to go before we move next year. 

 Actor's were hired, each of them had a role to play and they had collector cards the kids could collect. It was really awesome. Here they are roasting chestnuts on an open fire. They were pretty tasty, they kind of tasted like a baked potato. Fun to try.

 The whole town is old fashioned and decorated accordingly. 

 Carolers, they sang Carol of the Bells, the kids favorite Christmas song, they thought it was pretty sweet.

 We met up with one of Anthony's classmates who lives in St. Charles. Which was great because they new were to stand for Santa's Send Off Parade. Even though it was only 28 degrees, we all had so much fun. If live around the St. Louis area I'd HIGHLY recommend going on a Saturday and seeing the parade for Santa's Send off.

 There were about 12 different Santa's. Here was "Frontier Santa"

 Santa and Mrs. Clause

 They were all so friendly and incredibly nice, even Ellie wasn't shy of them.

 Father Christmas and St. Nicholas

 She trains the reindeer how to fly

 "Civil War Santa"

 Ellie was very excited to see Tiny Tim, however, she was bummed that Jacob Marley wasn't there. She's obsessed with him for some reason. 

 It was so incredible, everyone had a different accent depending on which country their character was from. I never once saw anyone break character. It was Fabulous!

We all got to open up one Present on Christmas Eve. the kids got new pj's. I got Anthony a "Big Bang Theory" shirt, "Rock, Paper, Lizard, Spock." He surprised me with an awesome "Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal" Shirt. It's totally Rocks, Think I should were it to church this Sunday?

So from our family to yours Merry Christmas You Filthy Animals!