Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year. The girls really liked opening the presents. Allie was very excited about Santa this year. When I put her to bed Christmas eve, she asked if I was going to bed. I said no, that I was going to clean up the house before I went to bed. I said that we didn't want Santa to see our house in such a mess. She agreed. But in a little while, She said, "What happens if Santa comes when you are awake?" I thought she meant if she was awake, so I said that he would not come in. She looked at me really serious and said, "Then don't clean up, just go to bed." I guess she thought that if the the adults were awake Santa would skip our house. Well, he came and they loved it. My parents and Chris' mom were here, so we all had a good time watching the girls with their gifts. Allie got a Hannah Montana outfit from her Grandma and Nana and Pop gave her a guitar. So she had a great time with those things. Santa brought her a Baby Alive doll. That thing is really amazing. She talks a lot. She eats, drinks, and wets her diaper. Today, we feed her and she was yawning. Allie went to rock her and when she came back the doll's eyes were closed! It is really a little scary how realistic it is. It doesn't look real, but it acts like a real baby. I am amazed by it. Avery got a riding toy and a Cabbage Patch baby. She opened the baby first so all the other presents she opened with one hand, because she wouldn't put down the baby. I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Family Christmas

Well, Saturday night we my family's annual Christmas get together. My mom has 2 sisters and 1 brother so it is quite a large crowd. We always have a good time. We ate great food, watch the kids open their presents and then the adults play a game. We play that game where everyone brings a gift and you can steal presents. This year Donna added a twist. We had to keep the presents wrapped and steal based on a clue. Well, I wish I had taken a picture of Chris' gift. He was warned that it might be a girl gift, but took it anyway. He ended up with a robe and bath set. It was a girl gift. Everyone had a good laugh and then a even bigger one with he said he actually liked it (and he really does). Donna brought this funny gift as a gag. It was a fish tank/sail boat/clock. Also, The Grinch boxer shorts were give one year and they appear in someones gift every year. It was really funny! We had a great time with family as usual. Can't wait until next year. I didn't take nearly enough pictures.

Who Needs Toys?

Well, I am afraid that we have wasted money on toys this year. Allie and Avery had rather play with the Christmas decorations than toys. Allie found Christmas salt and pepper shakers and other Christmas figurines when we were decorating for Christmas. She has played with them ever since. She lines them up and pretends they are people. It is pretty fun to hear the adventures of the salt and pepper shakers. We have been laughing because she will ask, "Mom, can I play with the salt and pepper shakers?" I told some of you this story so last Sunday, Randi brought Allie some more salt and pepper shakers to play with. Thanks Randi. Allie has really enjoyed the addition to her collection. Avery has taken up with this Santa Clause decoration. She plays with him, kisses him good night, and as you can see rides on him. Maybe when Santa brings new toys they will give up on the Christmas decorations.

This weekend we went to visit my mom and dad in Alabama. My brother Danny and his family came also. My oldest brother Jeff and his family live near my parents so we were able to see them also. My mom loved having all the kids at home at the same time. She cooked us some of her vegetable soup which, never turns out as good when I make it. We had a good time with everyone. We dressed the kids for a Christmas picture with my parents. It turned out cute. We also took one of all of us. But as you can see Chris and I spend more time on dressing the kids, than ourselves. I really wish we had been dressed better, because it turned out to be a pretty good picture. It is nearly impossible to get everyone looking at the camera at the same time, especially with 3 small children.

My Baby

Today my baby is 18 months old! I can say that I am a little sad about it. It seems like she is growing much to fast. She is really starting to become a toddler and all the things that go with that like testing limits, throwing her food, and getting into everything. She is also talking a lot. Well, at least to me. I am quite sure know one else can understand her, but I usually know what she is trying to say. She is a really sweet little girl and I am enjoying watching her grow and learn new things everyday. Here are two recent pictures of her. ( Not like you haven't seen any lately!) I tried to get a good picture of her today, but she is not into the picture taking. She sits down like she is going to cooperate and as soon as you hold up the camera she just gets up and leaves. I guess that goes along with being 18 months old.

Here is Avery dressing her baby doll. Notice she dragged out all the clothes to find a pair of her pants and diaper to put on her baby.

Santa Came to Town

We had our Christmas party at church for the kids today. They were able to decorate cookies, make crafts, and see Santa! We had a good time. Here are some pictures.

A family picture

Avery is still not so fond of Santa. She did blow him a kiss as we were leaving, but she was still crying. Allie did great.


Avery decorating her cookies.


Avery checking out her decorations.


Avery with Hannah, Erin, and Emily


Allie and Emily with the picture frames they made.


Allie decorating her cookie.