Tis the season!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas around Casa Rosado. We have tried to keep some yearly family traditions as well as add a few new ones this year. We usually decorate our house the day after Thanksgiving.  Olivia loved hanging the ornaments so much. Most of them are 3 ft and below but still so fun!

I put trees in the kids' bedrooms. My mom decorates so beautifully for the holidays and my 3 brothers and I each had a Christmas tree in our rooms growing up.

 My mom bought the kids holiday jams (including the baby dolls)

 This tradition we started with Olivia 2 years ago. We do a book advent calendar. Each day she opens a book which we read together. Many of the books are Christmas in theme some from other parts of the world. My favorite book so far is The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman (it's a New York bestseller)

"Remember, this all began with a child.

Because it took nothing but love to begin it,

it's not really Christmas if love isn't in it."

Nana Betty gave Liv an advent calendar from Trader Joes..But unfortunatley, those little milk chocolates are too good to resist so Liv only made it to December 11th.

I got this idea from my friend Brook. You're supposed to hide an Elf each day that the kids can find.  Well, Liv doesn't really care about the Elf thing but she LOVES Pets..so we use "Harry the Santa Hamster".

 {Of course..cupcake and sugar cookie decorating. I used bran muffins instead of cupcakes this year, barf right?? What can I say, she eats them!}

{Every year we try and participate in a Secret Santa at work, we also spend sometime making gifts and Christmas cards for co-workers and close friends.}

 We started a new tradition..maybe?? We went and rode the Polar Express. It was a long ride and bit chilly. Someone had the bright idea to give all the kids bells for the ride back.  But even with the motion sickness and loud chaos..Olivia had a blast. She loved riding the train and seeing St. Nick. Plus, she didn't have stay in her seat.!



{Cruz waiting to board the train.} 

{FINALLY, Santa was spotted on the train.}

 {Somehow we thought just the Willis Family and us were going, it was a pleasant surprise seeing so many friendly faces. Cruz got a little love from uncle Odd.}

{ We got creative this year with the gingerbread housing..What Northwest home doesn't have craisins, pretzel sticks, and almonds on it??}

This is such a wonderful time of year!

Happy Holidays

Love,

The Rosados

p.s. I will get my Christmas cards out eventually!