I Scream, You Scream...

As a winter break activity, we met up with some friends to take a tour of a local ice cream maker, 

 Purple Door Ice Cream. 

 The brave owners let us bring the kids for a tour of their store and "factory".

 They told us about how they got started making ice cream 

 and then took the kids to see where the ice cream is made. 

 And they got to get a taste. 

 Then they got to see the other steps involved 

 and see inside the bog freezer. 

 The kids were surprisingly good. 

 Probably due to the promise of ice cream to those who behaved. 

 There is nothing wrong with motivation. 

Super yummy ice cream!

Christmas

So we finally made it to Christmas Eve.

 Calvin was animant that we needed to make fresh cookies to leave out for Santa. 

 Calvin enjoyed making them (and eating them).

 Calvin set everything out for Santa and the reindeer.

The next morning Calvin got to see that Santa indeed had arrived. 

 There was lots of gift opening and playing.

 Every gift brought much excitement, 

 before, during, and after the opening. 

 Then came the family gathering. 

 Calvin got to eat, 

show off his new toys, 

 talk with family on the computer, 

 spend time with family, 

 and try for a little attention while the adults were talking. 

 Calvin thought Great Grandma might need a little help opening her presents. 

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Traut Family Christmas

Calvin got dressed up for the Traut Family Christmas party. 

 Calvin was very happy because Uncle David had a train set up around the Christmas tree. 

 When Dean arrived, Calvin took him right over to the tree to show him. 

 We did our best to get a cute photo of the two boys

 but the cuteness didn't peak until the antlers and light-up noses came out. 

 Calvin helped Dean put on the extra set. 

 Cute enough for you?

 Then the older cousin girls arrived and Calvin was as happy as could be. 

 Calvin helped with the gift exchange.

 Dean took his mommy's gift for a walk. 

 Calvin was happy as a clam getting to sit with Annie, his new favorite family member.  

 And, of course, there was cake. 

A fun family gathering!