Elf on the Shelf--Part 1

 This is our Elf on a Shelf--Stewart style.  This is what the kids & I came home to after our Thanksgiving weekend at Aunt Pamela's.  (This is Nov. 30th)  The kids named her Snowflake.

The Elf on the Shelf watches over each family during the day & then when we are asleep, they return (magically) to the North Pole to report to Santa.  If the elf is touched during the day, she loses her magic powers & can't go & report to Santa.  So for 24 days (about), the elf can get into some mischief.  

Here she is just "hanging out" above the nativities.

 She decided to get into my piano stickers & treats.  Since she doesn't have a sticker chart, she put the stickers all over her & the piano treat prizes.

 We found her in Ben & Emmalee's stocking one morning.

 Maybe she thought this was one of the reindeer & tried to hitch a ride to the North Pole.

 Zip-lining from the window to the tree.

 She brought her own tree & ornaments back from the North Pole--or maybe she is lost in the forest & is "hugging a tree".

 Eating an elf's favorite foods (the 4 food groups to the elves):  candy, candy canes, candy corn & syrup.  (Or at least according to Buddy the Elf from the movie, "Elf").  

 We watched the movie the night before, so I guess Snowflake got some ideas!

 This morning the kids found Snowflake next to my camera--& this is what they saw that she had captured!  Selfies with a sleeping Emmalee...

 A sleeping Benjamin...

 Even a sleeping Brienna...

 and Mom dozing in the recliner!

 Spa day!

 she looks comfy in the bath of mini marshmallows, her pink hair towel, & she even found some fingernail polish to use when she gets out of the tub!

 Snowflake had fun getting into Callum's toys--she drove the big truck, & set up Callum's Nerf gun to shoot at the wood by the fireplace.

 Here's she's helping Santa watch over the Baby Jesus.  She must be a pretty awesome babysitter!

December Snow Storm!! (Dec. 21st)

 We finally had our first "big" snow storm of the season--about 7-8 inches!  The kids made lots of snow angels...

 Nice snow angels!

I love how the snow stuck to everything--including the trees, fences, etc.  

Rusty "playing" on the boy toys--tractors w/plows..

 We were "walking in a winter wonderland!"

 and 4-wheelers with plows.  Only "working" on the 4-wheeler would get Zane up before 9 am on a Saturday!

 He plowed the snow at a few people's houses.

 Ben just couldn't make enough snow angels!

 Emmalee was showing me how deep the snow was by the shed.

 Dog pile!

 Playing in the "fort" that was formed from the snow that was plowed.

 Even Ben joined in to help with the snow removal :)

 Emmalee couldn't be left out!

 Emmalee & Ben ready for a ride behind the 4-wheeler.

 Getting a fun ride up the alley by our house--fresh, unplowed snow!

 This is the crew that was up in the "early" hours (that is from around 7:30-10:30 am)--Callum, Rusty, Zane, Ben & Emmalee (& me!)

 Ethan, Tiffany & Brienna missed out on all the fun!  Rusty pulling Ben & Emmalee around in the sled.

 They don't look like they are having any fun!  (Ben loved getting the snow piled on him)

 I love Callum's expression--Rusty thought I was videoing this part, so he wanted to make Callum giggle--instead I captured this awesome face!

They could have done this all day--who needs rides on an amusement park ride when you have fresh snow, a 4-wheeler & a sled!

Christmas Decorations, Parties & Concerts

 This is the "stump" Santa that Emmalee made at school this year.

 Our beautiful Christmas tree.

All lit up at night 

Emmalee's Christmas party.  They each had a gift & Mrs. Leonardson read a story.  When she said "right" or "left", then they had to pass the gift that direction. 

 

Emmalee listening intently to the story so she could pass the presents.

 Emmalee's turn to open her gift.  She ended up with a pocket-sized word search book. 

 She loves it!

Then I quickly went to Ben's pre-school party.  I just missed Santa & their little program, but I was able to hear some songs.   

 Eating snack!  (Ethan took pictures, but he didn't send them to me yet)

 Chocolate milk, & a cupcake with a candy cane!

The teacher gifts I made for the teachers 

 The Jr. High/High School had their concert the evening of the last day of school.  Callum was at the percussions

 Brienna--my flute player.

 So beautiful!

Josey played the piano & Brienna played her flute to "O Holy Night".  Unfortunately, Brienna was standing in the shadow, so my picture wasn't the greatest.  Neither is my video, but the sound was awesome!  (I'll try to post the video tomorrow).