Christmas Joy

I don't know how another Christmas has come and gone, but it has.  Here are a few pictures from our whirlwind holiday.  

 Leaving cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer:

Opening gifts from mom and dad:

Olivia is obsessed with her dress up clothes.  She loves clip clopping down the hallway in her heels.

Finn muttered "combine combine combine" to himself the entire time he was opening this gift

Santa's annual visit to Gramma and Papa's house:

Putting on a play at Gramma and Papa's house:

Christmas Festivities

We have been living life to the fullest this Christmas break.  Here are a few pictures from our adventures.

Enjoying the spring like weather by catching worms.  But first they needed some gloves.

On Christmas Eve the kids participated in a play at Church.  Olivia and Emmie were angels (very fitting) and Finn was a sheep.  A sheep who lost his way and wouldn't stay on the alter, he spent most of his time running from our pew back up to the alter.

He tired out quickly.

The kids were also lucky enough to go to a play at Circa 21.  Gramma bought them tickets to see "The Most Famous Reindeer of All".

We also kept the tradition alive of driving around to look at Christmas lights in our PJ's with hot cocoa.

Christmas Baking

Enjoy a few pictures from our beloved holiday tradition of baking too many sweets for our little family to eat.

Olivia was very methodical in the placement of her sprinkles.  Each one had a very specific spot.  Needless to say it took forever to decorate these cookies.

Finn was much different.  He preferred to dump a whole bottle of sprinkles on each cookie.  Just my style.

Say it Aint' So

How is it possible that my sweet baby girl is 5?  FIVE!!  I mean really.  It feels like just yesterday that we were in the hospital with her.  I remember everything about that day, what happened in the news, the weather, the sounds of the maternity ward and the sweet sweet smell of my 6 pound baby girl.

Here we are five years later and that sweet smelling baby has turned into a smart, energetic sassy little lady.  I can't believe how fast these years are going.

Olivia at 5:

* You weigh 54 lbs (97th percentile)

* You are 44.5 inches tall (90th percentile)

* You are a great eater, loving pretty much anything I put in front of you.  Of course, anything with sugar will be consumed first.

* You love baking, especially with Gramma.  You have become a pro at cracking eggs.

* You love going to preschool.  You are friends with everyone in your class.  When I pick you up in the afternoon all of your friends come running up to you giving you hugs goodbye.

* You are a pro at writing your name, you can do that on your own.  You can write everything else as long as someone spells the words for you.   Your letter to Santa this year was adorable - filled with everything a princess could want.

* You can count to 100+, only having trouble with the 49 to 50 transition.

* Your favorite colors are pink and purple.  That hasn't changed one bit.

*  You are a very sweet little girl who loves her babies.  You are a great momma to them making sure they are bathed, fed and happy every day.

*  You are in ballet class and love it.  You are very disciplined.  You listen to the teacher very well and follow all of her directions.

*  You have a very sweet heart, you make sure everyone is happy at all times and will love on them if they are sad.

*  You are a princess at heart.  You want to wear dresses at all times, usually with your crown, rings and earrings too.

* You love going to the nail salon to have your fingernails painted.  I think Dad might be in for it in about 10 years.

*  You are incredibly strong willed and will test your boundaries every chance you get.

*  Your future aspirations have changed.  Last year when we asked you it was a Fairy (heck, if we asked you two weeks ago that's what it was).  Now you would like to be either a nurse or doctor.  Thank you kind nurses and Dr. Moen for inspiring a little girl.

Your birthday celebration at Grandma Judy's house.  You will have your birthday party here in late January.

On your birthday you requested to go to Texas Roadhouse so you could sit on the saddle and eat chocolate cake.

Our traditional birthday breakfast.

Christmas Program

We enjoyed our very first Christmas program this year.  The kids were so cute and sang their little hearts out.  Well, at least Olivia did.  Finn sang a few words.

Olivia is in the back row with the red bow.

Finn is fourth from the left.

Meeting Jan Brett

We had the opportunity to meet the beloved children's author Jan Brett last weekend at her book signing in Davenport.

The kids purchased two of her books, received an art lesson from her and got her autograph.  They had such a good time.

The badger that Jan drew on the spot.

Finn receiving a hug from Hedgy.

Olivia and Hedgy and a girl from the library that Olivia wanted in the picture.

Father Christmas

We met father Christmas last weekend at the Belgian Waffle breakfast.

Father Christmas is the European version of Santa Claus.

The kids were a little timid that morning and weren't the most excited to take a picture with Father Christmas.  When in doubt bribe them.  

Oh darn, I guess we will have to make a stop at Lagomarsino's after the breakfast.

Our Little Einstein!

Introducing Mr. Smartypants!

Some of you may remember a few years back when Finn had to have his right eye operated on for a blocked tear duct.  As it turns out, it was more serious than we originally thought.  His right eye is quite a bit more near sided than his left, which could cause him to become crosseyed in the future.

Here's to hoping these glasses can straighten him out.

Isn't he the cutest!!

It's Basketball Season!

We enjoyed our first basketball game of the season last week.  We joined Papa and Emmie at the Legendary Wharton Field House to watch the Maroons win.

The kids had a great time.  There weren't too many people at the game so they were able to climb up and down the bleachers again and again.

At half time Olivia spotted a cheerleader that was a few rows up talking with her parents.  She convinced Emmie that they needed to go "introduce themselves".  When they got a few steps away from the Cheerleader they came screaming back and Olivia said to Emmie "come on Emmie, we need to talk this through".  The cheerleader noticed her newest fans and took the girls down to meet a few of the other cheerleaders.  She made Olivia's year.

The girls and Finny spent the last half of the game cheering with the girls and screaming their names any chance they got.

They can't wait to go to the next game!

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!  Thursday was spent at our home with a low key ham dinner.  Gramma, Papa and Emmie came over to join in on the fun.

After dinner and naps the kids woke up to Trixie.  She has officially arrived for the season.  The kids are thrilled.  Me, not so much.  Just one more thing I have to remember to take care of every day.

Trixie did come bearing gifts.  The kids received matching Christmas PJ's, popcorn and hot chocolate.

On Saturday we celebrated Thanksgiving with all of the fixings.  This time Momo and Auntie Abbie joined the crowd from Thursday.

Finn is too busy to take pictures these days.

The crowd was even able to enjoy a play put on by the littles: "The Three Little Pigs".