Mooradian Christmas

Last weekend we went to Elk Rapids to do our annual Mooradian Christmas celebration. We met at the cottage late Thursday night, and then stayed through Sunday. Friday we woke up early and headed to Avalanche Bay water park at Boyne Mountain. It was perfect because there was nobody there! The boys and Gwen LOVED all the swimming, and they even tackled the water slides! After an exhausting morning swimming, the kiddos napped and then we started the Christmas activities. First the kiddos helped Papa decorate the tree, then We let them open their presents so that they could play with them during the weekend. Charlie definitely knew how to tear open presents this year. =) On Saturday we visited the horses down the street and participated in our annual gingerbread house building contest. Auntie Mary thought a step ahead this year and brought stuff for the kids to make their own. They had so much fun! The adults waited until the kids went to bed to start their competition. We started at 8:30 and didn't finish until 11:30! We definitely need to make it a 2 night activity next year... we were all exhausted. 

Overall it was a great little Christmas celebrations. We are so lucky to have the cottage and to be able to have a tradition of celebrating there. A big thank you to my parents for hosting all of us, for all the wonderful gifts and for memories we'll have for a lifetime!

Going to see the horses.

Charlie petting the horse. This was the first time he did! The "little" horse was his favorite.

Helping Dad feed the big horses some apples.

Spreading the frosting on his graham cracker house.

Taking a break from decorating and tasting the frosting.

Mom helping Charlie decorate his little house.

Charlie's finished product!

Pete's and my barn house.

All three houses (we actually had real lights on them this year!)

Helping Papa decorate the tree.

Three excited kiddos ready to open presents!

Charlie tearing into his first box.

Papa and Mimi got Charlie this cool Handy Manny motorized quad. All three of the kids LOVED it!

Gwen and Charlie being Picasso's with Matthew's new easel.

Papa giving Matt and Charlie a horsey ride.