our gingerbread creations

 Because I'm so very organized, we made our gingerbread house and train this evening rather than before Christmas...it didn't seem to matter!

we just love Santa!

Christmas card pictures

Of course, I waited until the very last minute to take some candids of the kids for our Christmas card.  These were some of my favorites...

a very busy, very fun, Saturday

After dance, we went to a local unfinished furniture store and painted projects (Jack painted a wooden bulldozer; Elizabeth painted a mitten dryer)...

then took a ride on the Wiscassett, Waterville, & Farmington Narrow Gauge Railway and visited with Santa Claus.  It was absolutely FANTASTIC!  Just as the sun set, the train left the station, and we traveled approximately two miles through snow-covered woods to another small station, where Santa Claus waited to see the children.  He spoke to Jack and Elizabeth and then gave them each a  small silver bell (just like the boy in the movie/book, the Polar Express).  After the train returned to the station, we enjoyed some hot cocoa before...

seeing Santa again at our friend, Dave's, house.  He really gets around, that Santa Claus...!

Christmas pictures

Elizabeth's birthday party

Elizabeth had her 7th birthday party at our local YMCA.  She and her friends swam for an hour in the pool and then celebrated with cake and ice cream in an adjacent room.  Jack's best friend, Gavin, came, too, so everyone had a great time!