Tis the Season!

December is Flying by and the Christmas Season is in FULL SWING at the Russell House!  We have been participating in the common Christmas Cliches this holiday season. 

I hosted the 2nd ANNUAL Cookie exchange the first weekend in December and had a great exchange again this year!!!  Thanks to all that participated and a SPECIAL thanks to Cindy who show cased Epicure for us!  I love cookie exchanges!  We had some different cookies this year including a new favorite of mine called NEIMEN MARCUS cookie!! mmm it's sooo yummy!  Kinda like the most ultimate Chocolate chip cookie ever!

My kitchen as I baked my cookies for the Exchange

William, Clayton and I have also enjoyed the great out doors with a couple toboggan excursions and some nice walks with Tessa in the snow!  William has taken to drag his hand in the snow as we pull him in the sled.  He also really enjoys eating snow... However this means that he likes to suck on his boots and eat the snow that falls off the shoes at the front door.  YUCK!!! 

Yummy snow- the appoved method of eatting snow

Clayton finished putting up the Christmas lights and I think it looks really good!  Of course we always add each year and really wished we could have icicle lights on the peaks of our house... HOWEVER have you seen the price of those things!?!?!  The LED ones we want are SOOO PRICEY!!!  Even with this slight dilemma the house looks great (thanks HONEY!).

Back deck Lights

Clay and I went to his Company Christmas party again this year!  It was WAY more fun now that we know some people and the alcohol was nice too!  (Side note- last year I was still nursing so I didn't really get to enjoy the drinks).  It was a great night out!  We were still home by midnight, thankfully William went to sleep this year for our babysitter!  Clayton won a telescope in one of the raffles at the party which totally made his day! (SIDE NOTE- not 1 month ago Clayton said to me " I would really like a telescope" my response was " No- freaking way!!! You don't need another 'Hobby' that sits in the closet!")

So Happy

All dressed up and a little drunk!

William wrote his letter to Santa this year.  He was actually really good, and made a couple marks on the page!  We also went to sit on Santa's lap.  I was expecting 'cry-fest 2010';  As most of my Friend's kids pictures involve screaming kids.  But he totally surprised us!  He kept trying to run up to Santa as the kid before us was doing his thing.  When it was actually his turn, he did hesitate... But he really wanted one of the goody bag's that Santa was handing out, so he humored us and got closer to Santa.  I had to place him in Santa's lap for the picture, but no Tears... No Smiles, but No tears!  He was very brave and got his goody bag ( He loves suckers!).  Check out his Santa picture on my Face book page. http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=170736546300535&set=a.170736006300589.31526.102893369751520

Concentrating hard!

More worried about the Felt markers going away then my Picture

Williams Special Message from Santa
http://www.portablenorthpole.ca/watch/sH205UXdIsGVF79oZb9d3w

As you can see we are in FULL Christmas Mode!  The next few weeks will continue to bring excitement and anticipation. 

 However Cliche it is my favorite thing about Christmas is that Warm, Sparkly, cozy feeling that sits in your heart as you sip eggnog, watch your son destroy your Christmas tree and loose count of all the wonderful things that Christmas brings!

Hope your feeling that sparkly glow in your your house too!

This weeks Proof that

"YOU CANT TURN YOUR BACK FOR A MOMENT!!"

Thankfully My Cats tolerate my Son's craziness well!