We've got the tree trimmed, the lights up and at least a few gifts wrapped... we're almost ready for Christmas! Heff was just saying he underestimated how much fun Francie would have with all of the preparations and decorations for the holidays. She says "KRIS!" when she see decorations and "Ho-ho" for anything related to Santa (or old men with beards ;) We had a fun weekend filled with Christmas Cheer...

When we were little we had a swiss au-pair, Moni, who made us each a little advent calendar to hang from our doorways with a wrapped little toy or candy to open each day. We've carried on the tradition and usually make a version of the calendar for someone we know every year. I made this "re-usable" calendar with little santa bags a few years ago for my nieces Ellie and Kate, they brought it back for Francie this year. I was a little delayed getting it filled but we're counting down the last "12 Days of Christmas" :)

Francie "helped" make these little advent/12 Days calendars for our neighbors Emma & Owen

and kind of a long story... but I "met" these cute girls Kate, Ella and Claire through our blogs :) They are living in Munich for a few years and their Mom, Kerri has mutual friends who told her about our blog, she emailed me once for some tips on Squarespace blogging and we've become "internet friends"! and yes, our husbands think we are crazy. :) So they sent us a great harness for Francie's pram all the way from Germany... we wanted to return the favor so I made them a little advent calendar too. We hope to REALLY meet these cute girls on their Christmas visit to the Bay Area next week!! I feel like we know them already... they are so cute!

We put Francie's on the mantle... she already knows right where to go every morning to open up a present

And to really get us in the Holiday Spirit, we delivered our Adopt-A-Family gifts bright and early Saturday morning. We had two families and picked up Jannie's family gifts for her too, they all had babies or little ones so it was some fun shopping and even better to meet the very deserving families.