The Wilsons: Christmas Trains, Singing Snowmen, and Gingerbread Houses .... Christmas MAGIC

Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without a trip to Northpark. I remember when I was pregnant with the twins, and literally looked like a circle from every angle, I could barely move. And I was so sad that I couldn't take Barrett to Northpark to see all the Christmas fun they have set up there! My grandmother doesn't live too far away from Northpark, so there is a bit of nostalgia there for me too. We visited this mall a lot during the Christmas season as a kid.

First stop: hug the snowman that seems to be waiting for you when you get off the elevator.

We met some friends at the Trains at Northpark. This has become a little Christmas tradition for my kids, and it was so much fun to share it with friends this year.

Twins and Trains

Goofballs

Attempting to Get in On a Picture

Not the bet picture of Barrett, but he was giving me the biggest hugs for bringing him to see the trains. And Payton ... well she probably just thought I was going to put her down.

"Hold You Me, Mommy. Hold You Me"

I just want to remember how much she loves me. Also - I don't think she was feeling too great. Poor thing.

Smile at Mommy!

Ok good job you guys. You nailed it ;)

Totally Did NOT Bribe Them With Cookies

Yeah - ok - even bribing them with cookies didn't make them want to take a picture in front of the Christmas tree.

Sweet Friends

Finally! A Picture By the Christmas Tree

Barrett loves the Scrooge puppet show at the mall. I think Parker loved it as much as he does.

Payton enjoyed it from the comforts of her stroller. Where that mean puppet can't pick on her.

1/2 Of Our Other Favorite Twin Duo

And to cap off a super fun Christmas-filled day ......

Just Gonna Leave that Right There

(She asked for a cookie. I gave her the cookie. This is what happened)

We also have been so lucky to go to playdates with new friends. The kids get to play with friends, do crafts, eat snacks ... and visit the pretty Christmas tree. Everybody wins!

Sisters. Sisters. There Were Never Such Devoted Sisters

Bounce House Fun

The next few pictures are just me playing with the new camera setting on my phone. I love how each one captures their little faces.

Since it was such a pretty day, we went to go play outside with some more Christmas fun!

Again - playing with my camera. And they LOVE these singing snowmen. They have been a highlight of our Christmas season.

In the middle of all of our Christmas activities, Barrett decided to get a haircut. A REAL haircut. At the last minute, he decided he wanted his hair short like Daddy. And it is ADORABLE! I was a little taken back by how grown up he looks with his new "do." But I looooove it!

Before

During

After

SOOOOOOO CUTE!

I tried something new this year. I tackled the whole Gingerbread House thing with the kids. I found a pre-made one at the store. It even had slots in it for the pieces to go So I basically just had to follow the directions to insert Side A into Hole B ... and so on.

Nope. I'm never doing this again. I'm amazed this thing is standing up. And NOBODY TOLD ME that you need the skills of an experienced baker to get the icing on right. And for it not to look like the kids did it. Maybe I should just tell people that my kids did the whole thing by themselves.

This is What Excitement Looks Like

Patiently Waiting for the "Fun Part"

Waiting Patiently For Mommy to Figure This Out

Watching Brother Put Candy On .... Patiently Waiting Her Turn

Blurry But I Don't Even Care

She Approaches Everything with Joy

I love that about her

We Did it Guys!

Sillies

Next up: Our annual party with our playgroup friends. We didn't get a lot of pictures because the kids were running around so much and they wouldn't sit still. I love that we have found a group of friends that our kids just fit in with .... and with such ease. It's hard for them sometimes because they are so shy. And big groups make them a little nervous. But watching these friendships flourish has been so fun to watch!

Decorating Christmas Cookies

Twins, Cookies, and Frosting!

Matt and I also try to find time to enjoy the Christmas season, without the kids. Sometimes its fun to go and explore, and feel like a kid yourself. This year, we headed to the arboretum with friends to visit the 12 Days of Christmas Exhibit.

Christmas Selfie

Apparently Flash Bothers Him :)

The kids also had their first experience at Play Street Museum. The teacher in me couldn't get over how adorable the kids were while playing here. They were each so excited about the different learning centers that they found. Barrett loved putting things inside these air tubes and figuring out what made it all work. Payton wouldn't leave the kitchen in the play house. And once she found a baby in there to take care of, she found her happy place as a happy homemaker. And Parker wanted to see and explore everything. She even found some binoculars to help her closely examine every single thing she saw.