Christmas-Round 1

Since Kris' parents were in town for Thanksgiving, we opened Christmas presents with them on Friday. 

Kale really enjoyed opening presents this year. This is the first year that he really gets what presents are. Kale got lots of things: some new clothes, a laughing elmo, playdough machine, an Iowa hat, new trucks, and many other exciting new toys!

Liam had no idea what he was supposed to do with the gifts. He had lots of fun playing with a plastic hanger though! Liam received new clothes, p.j.s, trucks, a new hat, and a jack-in-the box. 

On Friday night, we went to the Botanical Garden to the light's festival. There were over half-a-million lights. It was a very neat sight! The pictures don't do the site justice!

There was an origami chandelier. 

All of the Helling men wore Iowa shirts to the light festival. 

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year, Kris' parents came to visit.

Marilyn and I busied ourselves in the kitchen making everything you can imagine. We had way too much food! We made a turkey, ham, company potatoes, corn, green beans, squash casserole, mac and cheese, rolls, and two desserts (plus appetizers). Somehow I didn't even manage to get a picture of the food.

We had leftovers for days. As a matter of fact, it's been 6 days and I think we still have a few things in fridge now. 

On Thanksgiving we always put up the tree. Liam helped out by playing with the boxes and eating tissue paper. 

Kale loved putting up the tree and was actually a huge help this year. 

I love the time of the year when we get to put up the tree. I love turning off the lights and having only the tree on while watching TV...so relaxing. 

Kale got a kick out of "pretending" to eat. I set the table for Thanksgiving dinner and Kale promptly climbed into the seat and started pretending to cut his food with his fork and knife. It must have been a pretty filling pretend meal because he didn't eat any actual food.