The Batts Family: 2013

Christmas with the Plaisiers

With power outages all week we weren't certain if we'd be able to celebrate in our normal style this year, but mom and dad's power came back on around midnight the night before allowing us to party at their house as usual! We headed over there around 4 for appetizers and a few presents, then went to church for a beautiful candlelight service (Henry was just precious!) and then back to my parents for dinner and more presents. It was a fabulous night spent with people we love!

Andrew, Nonnie, and Caroline

Sneaking candy

Opening gifts.

One of the cutest moments of the night was when Henry opened a box full of clothes and loudly declared, "my mom said that if I don't like something I need to just say thank you anyway, so thank you." :) Love four year olds!

Telling Papa a story

Christmas 2013

Henry (4), Tommy (7), and Caroline (2)

So incredibly blessed. Love all of them so much.

Visiting Santa

After three unsuccessful tries to visit Santa at the mall we headed downtown to see Santa there. It was a much better idea. There was no line, he spent 10 minutes talking to my kids, there were little crafts the kids could do, and a sleigh room to explore. It was wonderful and really helpful since it was the day before Christmas and Henry was starting to panic that he hadn't seen Santa.

Caroline was not into this.

At least she didn't scream...

Working on their art projects

After Santa we headed to Garden Gate Café for cookies and hot chocolate.

He really enjoyed it, I'm not sure why he looks so sad in the picture.

Snow Day!

The Sunday before Christmas we ended up having a snow day! It was a little disappointing since we had some fun stuff planned that was postponed, but it was also really nice to have an unexpected day at home. We used some of the time to bake and decorate cookies!

She started out strong and it quickly went downhill :)

Henry's Preschool Christmas Program

The last Thursday before Christmas break Henry had a program at preschool. It was so fun to watch him and his friends sing their songs and recite their poems. He did a great job!

The Elf on the Shelf

Our elf, "Elf," showed up once again on December 1 for a season of fun! Henry was a little "freaked out" by him this year and would not go downstairs in the morning by himself. Caroline loved to find him with the boys and would just point and say, "elf, elf, elf." He arrived with a bang and made us an entire North Pole breakfast that Sunday morning before church. There were lots of yummy foods and little boxes of toys and trinkets for the kids. They loved it!