christmas party in peoria

Saturday we headed over to Peoria to have a party with the Johnson family. We have created traditions for the annual party each year and had to continue them. There was the traditional Mexican feast (and mini pizzas for the kids), the Nativity, carolling, a visit from Santa and cookie exchange. Unfortunately, we were dealing with a very cranky Koltyn, so we got very few pictures of all the fun.
The kids always have a blast dressing up for the Nativity story. I am pretty sure that I have the only children around who request to be animals (Kimble was the donkey and Karter was the camel, or other donkey if you ask him) instead of people though.

We took the kids carolling around the neighborhood. The girls sang nearly constantly and knew more of the words than I do. For some reason, Kimble thought she was a model that day and came up with a silly pose for every picture we took.

Santa stopped by to give the kids a little encouragement for the last week before Christmas. He reminded them that their elf (Sheldon) was still watching and reporting. Then they each got to come up and receive a gift. Koltyn was asleep at this point, Kimble didn't want to get close to Santa so simply got as close as she had to to get the gift, then ran and Karter was so excited to see what was all wrapped up that he had no problem getting a picture with Santa.

We will be back in Peoria after Christmas for another party with the extended Johnson family (including Steven and Keeley, yay) and the kids cannot wait.