Bringing A Story to Life - Day 23

Carson made us a gift for Christmas and was so excited for us to open it, that we opened it a few nights early! To our delight, we found that Carson had written and illustrated us a book. (He's his momma's boy for sure!) Carson had written quite a tale... It was an adventure about Dad, Carson and Ashton going camping near a bear cave.... and wouldn't you know it, Ashton ended up wandering in the bear cave, waking the bear, and being chased out! Luckily, the day was saved when an (extremely strong) eagle swooped down from the sky, grabbed the bear with his talons, and dropped him over the edge of a waterfall--saving Ashton's life! It was quite intense! We loved the story... and it seems that Cocoa did too, because we found him reenacting the story when we awoke the next morning!

A Bedroom Makeover - Day 22 and a 1/2

On day 22, something extraordinary happened! Cocoa moved mid-day... leaving his best surprise yet! Carson had gotten in trouble after church because his room was a giant mess. Mom and Dad said he could not go play a video game until after he cleaned his room.... so Carson obeyed.... kind of! He made his bed as quickly as possible and it looked like this:

But when Carson returned just a few minutes later to do a better job... he found this:

Plus, all of the boxes that were still unpacked from moving 6 months earlier had disappeared. A curtain, a shelf, and pictures were hung, the clothes were neatly folded in his closet, the floors were vacuumed, and his desk was neatly organized:

The photo of him with Grandma and Grandpa Stevens that he had been begging to have was now even framed on his night stand.

When Carson walked in his room, he started half screaming/half crying/half hyperventilating! He could not believe his eyes! It was truly a Christmas miracle.

Cocoa must have known that an extra special boy needed an extra special surprise.

Cocoa must really love Carson.

Movie Night - Day 22

Cocoa was obviously offended that we didn't love his cooking, but by Sunday morning, it seems his heart had softened. Instead of leaving more graffiti, he left us a gift: a movie starring some of his buddies from back at the 'Pole! 

A Disgruntled Chef - Day 21

"You Didn't Eat My Lunch!"

Sack Lunches - Day 20

An elf favorite... spaghetti and maple syrup!

Mmmmmm!

Mom loved capturing Ashton's reaction as he looked into his elf made lunch:

"Oooooo! Marshmallos..."

Sorry about the blurry pic. Mom was laughing so hard she couldn't hold the camera still. She thinks that Cocoa is hilarious!

An Itchy Elf - Day 19

We're just not sure how our elf can be so nice one day... and then so terribly naughty the next! But, as always, Carson showed compassion for Cocoa... He said, "He must be itchy."  

Kyler, whose toothbrush was used, was not quite as compassionate.

Fun Update

Remember "Day 13" when Kenna drew elves for a door decorating contest at her school?...

HER DOOR WON!

Congrats Kenna! 

We have no doubt that all of our ELF LOVE helped you get that drawing just right!

He Even Bakes! - Day 18

 Thank you to our secret night Elf!

We love you so much!

Elfwich - Day 17

Magical Marshmallows, Part 2 - Day 16

As promised, a night of sugar turned Mrs. Claus' mini marshmallow into jumbo sized ones... which Carson proclaimed were the yummiest marshmallow ever!

Magical Marshmallows - Day 15

We love it when Cocoa brings us a little magic from the North Pole. This time he surprised us with magical mini marshmallows from Mrs. Claus's kitchen. As soon as Carson touched one, he said, "Whoa! Those DO feel different!"

They're planted in sugar... now for a little magic over night! We can't wait!

Nerdfest - Day 14

Cocoa left us a "NERD" surprise this morning!

Perhaps, he's aware that we've not only been good this year... 

but also very NERDY!

The Stevens kids are so natural at being nerdy... 

I can't imagine where they inherited that "Nerd Instinct" from.....

Three's A Crowd - Day 13

Yesterday, we welcomed two NEW elves to our home: 

"Sprinkles" and "Binkie"!

The teachers at McKenna's school are having a Christmas door decorating contest. One heard about Kenna's skills, and asked her to draw her two giant elves for her door. (McKenna whipped them up in minutes--free hand. She's kind of amazing.) When we went to bed, Sprinkles and Binkie were all wrapped up, ready to be sent to SandCreek Middle School for coloring... that is until Cocoa decided to have a little fun with his new friends with our marshmello shooter. Carson swears that Cocoa hit him with one when he was walking by!

Snowboarding Buddies - Day 12

 You know your kids really love their Elf

 when he starts appearing in their homework!

Cocoa was flattered by Carson's rendering... 

so he brought Carson's imagination to life!

GERONIMO!!!!

Elf Massacre - Day 11

Apparently, not everyone finds Cocoa endearing.

Candyland - Day 10

I'll Be Home For Christmas - Day 9

On December 9th, we woke to find that Cocoa had brought us a Gingerbread House kit! Even though he loves being in our home, he was a little homesick and was hoping we could make a village to remind him of home. We were happy to oblige!