{The Week Before Christmas}

Our Countdown to Christmas left the children guessing, wondering, and hoping for more.

This year, we started the tradition of unwrapping and reading a Christmas book each night before bed. This quickly became a family favorite activity. I had no idea that the anticipation of unwrapping a book (of our own) would turn into the highlight of our evenings. The kids absolutely loved to climb under the tree each night in hopes of picking one of their "most favorite" books.     

Did anyone take a guess as to which book would be our final 2011 Christmas read?

We held our own ballot. 

Bryanna and Kalyssa voted for 

"T'was the Night Before Christmas"

Travin voted for 

"Merry Christmas Curious George"

Mom voted for 

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

Ironically enough, these just so happen to be our top favorite Christmas stories...

Coincidence???

 

 

 

Daddy read "T'was the Night before Christmas" and Travin picked out "Merry Christmas Curious George" which means, our final read was...

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

YAY!!! What's my prize? 

(=

Santa decided that our family needed a little extra love this holiday season so he sent it in the form of a cute little scout. Our family was able to adopt a special elf from the North Pole. She made her way down south and found a place to call home in the hearts of the Mall Kids and maybe even within mom and dad's too! 

Ella did not disappoint the kids one bit. Every morning throughout the month of December, the kids eagerly made their way into the living room to begin their search for their favorite mischievous little friend.

On her final week of scouting, Ella found a way to bring a little extra cheer to our hectic holiday schedules.  

A snowball fight with Lamb Chop

Socks instead of stockings

A friendly little reminder

Anniversary Wishes

TP'ing the Christmas Tree 

 Delivering a message from Santa

Which all led up to 

Ella's last night

The kids had a really hard time saying goodbye to Ella. It must have been really hard for her to say goodbye too because the kids woke up Christmas Eve to a very special surprise.

A sleigh ride home with Santa allowed three very happy children a chance to hug their favorite little friend! 

The kids made sure that Ella was comfortable.

They even made sure that she had special treats to share with Santa and his reindeer. After all, the journey to the North Pole is very very far and Ella needs to save as much magic as she can so that she can come stay with us next year!

The one thing that Ella loves more than scouting and tricks is the magic of Christmas! 

She made sure that her three favorite kids in the whole wide world woke up to one final dusting of Christmas magic...Ella style!