Christmas at the Clayton's...

This year was our rotation for Christmas with the Clayton's in Bowie. It is always relaxing to escape the city and head to the lake to hang out with our favorite Nana and Pops! Of course holidays are always extra special because we also get to spend time with Aunt Michelle, DB, and cousin Thane...who the kids absolutely adore. On Wednesday, the kids went on a little hike at a state park nearby...

which if you have been following the Clayton Crew, then you know my kids were in their sweet spot!

They came back to the house to pick the rest of us up before heading to a Clayton favorite...

also known as "The River". Let's just say this place is legendary and spoken with sweet reverence...haha! It is right across the border in Oklahoma and serves the best catfish. After dinner, we headed over to this neat place Michelle found called Happy Day Farms.

The little kids and big kids had an absolute blast together!

There was this massive two story tree house that was pretty fantastic. The kids loved running around it, then zipping down the slide.

Like I mentioned earlier, even us big kids had a little too much fun!

When it became dark, we loaded up for a hayride through a Festival of Lights...

Thursday and Friday were lazy days around the house. The kids played outside most of the time...

Kason just had to bring his BB gun to practice :). On Christmas Eve, we did our annual sugar cookie baking and decorating for Santa!

This year we also added in gingerbread houses...

I think Thane like the candy a bit more than decorating :)...

Kason meant serious business on his house...

The big kids joined in on the fun again...love it!

I loved that Nana had everyone make a little village together...

After an incredible Mexican feast, we continued on our traditions of letting the kids open their Christmas pj's...

settling in on Nana and Pop's lap for a reading of "The Night Before Christmas"...

setting out cookies for Santa...

and yes, that is a cheese stick next to those delicious cookies...haha! Zoe was adamant that she wanted to leave a gift for Santa. She felt that giving him her most favorite thing of all, a cheese stick, was a pretty sweet gift and one she just knew he would love :). Right before laying down, the kids sprinkled their reindeer food outside to help guide Santa's sleigh...

Somehow, these little rascals were able to calm down from their excitement, giggles, and playing...

to fall asleep so Santa could come fill their sacks!