Cuz it's almost Time for Christmas!

I love Christmastime! I am getting so excited for Christmas this year. I have almost all of my Christmas shopping done and all of my decorations up. It has been so nice to get things done quicker this year so that I can enjoy the holidays with my sweet family. A few of the fun things we're doing this year:

The Nutcracker: My mom's dance studio does the Nutcracker every year. This year it was on Dec. 1st and 2nd. It was so fun to watch. Max loves the battle scene and asked Grandma Colleen this year if he could be the Nutcracker next year. :-) He would love to fight the Mouse King!

Festival of Trees: We went on Thursday night and it was very fun to see all of the creative trees! I have never been before, and we had a really great time. I can't believe I forgot to take my camera in, there were some AWESOME trees!!!

Polar Express Day at preschool: Was on Friday. Max and I had a great time dressing up in matching jammies and boarding the "Polar Express" for a day. Max was so excited to get a "magic" bell from preschool. He keeps telling us to pretend we don't believe in Santa for a minute so we can't hear his bell.

Breakfast with Santa: I've never been before, but heard it is great, so we're going to try it out. Thanksgiving Point usually doesn't disappoint.

Decorating our gingerbread houses: We just use the costco kits, but hey, it's still a lot of fun and easy enough for everyone to enjoy themselves--especially Max. He loves "making progress" on his own gingerbread house.

Christmas Eve dinner and a movie: We love this tradition. Each year we get together with my family and Riley's family and go to dinner and a fun movie. We haven't decided on the movie yet, but I think we'll probably see "The Tale of Despereaux" because "Bedtime Stories" doesn't come out until Christmas Day.

Max's Christmas Program: I love to watch the sweet little preschoolers sing and "act". I can't wait to see Max do his speaking part this year!

Max's friend party: YEAH! Max loves doing this every year with his best little friends. Cat is an amazing hostess! :-)

A few other things we're hoping to do this holiday season: drive through the lights at Thanksgiving Point, and while we're there, check out Santa's reindeer, have a few mario parties with family and friends, get some pictures in the snow (if it snows before Christmas...I won't be sad if it doesn't), make some yummy sugar cookies for Santa, drive around town and look at all of the decorated houses (Max says all of the houses are starting to look like gingerbread houses), and spend time with family and friends.

What are you doing this Christmas? What are your favorite holiday traditions???