December Fun

I love all the activities and festivals and things there are to do at this time of year. 



Our Christmas celebration started off on November 17 when we took the kids to the tree light up downtown again.  The weather was pretty nice out that night and it was packed.  There was face painting, singers, food trucks, fires, stilt walkers and of course the tree light up. 

Here is the tree in all its glory.

 

Here are the kids and Spencer "skating" on the outdoor rink in front of city hall. 

 

Here are a couply of stilt walkers entertaining the crowd. 

 

We went a little too early since I seemed to remember more entertainment last year.  So by the time it was done my snack supply was exhausted and the line up for any other treat was way too long.  So we headed to the downtown mall and stopped and ate at Ricky's Grill.  The kids thought it was so fancy and fun.  Going to an actual resturant is still a bit of a challenge because you have to actually wait for your food and sit at the table and not fool around too much as to distract the other customers.    Evan was almost going to eat one of us he was so hungry but he was happy that he waited (and so are we)  and devoured his food. It turned into a kinda late night by the time we did all of this. 

 

Our next activity in December was to go visit the Festival of Trees.  This goes to support the Stollery Children's hospital in the city.  Kids activities, on stage entertainment, gift shops, a hospital visit, gingerbread house display, and of course all the beautifully decorated trees. 

 

 Here is the picture with Santa. 

 Decorating their mini christmas trees. 

 The final product.  Notice how the boys picked pink and purple balls for their tree (apparently Evan's new favorite color thanks to Kirby) and Megan picked the turoquoise and gold balls.  They both look lovely in thier bedrooms.  It really adds a festive flare.   

 

Here is one of the displays...a Charlie Brown Christmas.  You can see the Charlie Brown Christmas tree in the back.  The bare one with the red ornament on it. 

 

 Here is a sampling of the "hospital" visit.  You first get a wristband with your name on it. 

 Here they are getting thier heart beat and oxygen levels tested.

 Listening to his heart beat.  They also had some x-rays to look at, you get a little strip of cast material put on your finger, can touch an NICU inubator, see an IV, do some stitching on a bear and various puzzles and get a free fun bandaid as you leave. 

Here we are minus Aaron who fell asleep in the stroller and Spencer who is taking the picture.