Happy Holidays!

We had the most amazing, magical holiday season this year!  Our kids are at such fun ages, and they are so easy to please.  The simple wonder in their eyes was enough to melt my heart.  I was proud of them for going with the flow, especially when our schedule was turned upside down for a week and a half, and I was also proud of them for being grateful and thankful little people.  No matter their gifts, they said thank you and gave lots of hugs. 

It was a really fun two weeks off of work, hanging out with the rugrats, being so laid back, and relaxing together doing some of our favorite things.  We got some time to play outside, had a playdate with the Endres family, drove around looking at Christmas lights (even went back to the Mankato lights show for a second time!), went to Underwater Adventures, had a couple movie nights, did some cooking and baking together, and read a bajillion stories :)  Jeremy and I also carved out some time to have a 'finish the Christmas shopping date,' organize several areas of our home, and we started getting more serious about house preparations for Baby #3.  It feels good to be organized and have a little extra space!

We loved the Mankato lights show so much, we went back a second time!!

A little holiday baking...

Our elf 'Red' kept us on our toes

Merry Christmas from the Kalals!!

Auntie Jackie painting Izzy's toes with her new Frozen polish

Cooper building a fence with the presents... he was a little anxious to rip into them :)

Christmas Eve SUPER smiles (it took a long time for them to fall asleep this night...)

Our favorite new Christmas Eve tradition... Movie night after church ;)  We LOVED having time at home on Christmas Eve!

Christmas Morning... Cooper got a racetrack, dinosaurs, sharks, a ton of darts, and lots of fun stocking goodies

Santa brought Izzy a Baby that she can take care of, some Minnie Mouse books, and lots of stocking goodies

Woohoo!!  A new scooter from Missy and Phil

Cooper was loving the airplane he can build himself (from Dad and Chris)

Another nice family shot... how'd we get lucky enough to get more than one?!!?

The grandkids with Grandma Dawn.  This is the best we could muster :)

We are ALMOST all partied out...

Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped by Grandma Dawn's house, and Cooper finally warmed up to Mrs. Claus

But he wanted NOTHING to do with Santa.  Here, he is keeping an eye on Santa from behind and barricade of presents.

But Izzy decided he was pretty great.  It only took about 15 minutes to warm up :)

So there's a little peek at our amazing second half of December.  It is so crazy to think that was our last holiday with just two kids.  It is also crazy to think about having another baby around for next Christmas!  Christmas is unbelievably better with little kids!!