Christmas Day

 Toys R Us landed in our living room!

When Addy is older I know she'll kill me for putting this pic in the blog, but it just makes me laugh.  This is seconds after she woke up!

 A few short minutes later and she is all into seeing what is in her stocking.

 Addy helping Ella unwrap her presents.  If Ella had her choice she would have eaten tissue paper and wrapping paper all day long - had to keep the paci in her mouth to keep other things out!

 Most popular gift of the day...Addy and Ella gave Dad a remote control helicopter.

 Ella contemplating trying to eat a gift tag.

 Addy and her loot

 Why must kids toys be packaged with a million plastic straps and twisties??

 After the presents were open - both girls were so done with pics at this point!

 Addy got a robe for Christmas and we are modeling our robes.

 Addy got a doctor's kit from Aunt Susan and Uncle Jon.  It was a big hit and unfortunately for Ella I think that she is going to be the patient more than she would like!  Addy is taking her blood pressure in this pic.

 Addy and Ella on the sled at Aunt Jean's.

 "Good things come in small packages"

Star got new beds for Christmas.  I think that she likes her new cozy bed!

Merry 1st Christmas Ella!!

Christmas Eve

Another scrumptious and filling Christmas Eve dinner at the Wolfs.  We missed having Susan and Jon with us, but look forward to next year when we hopefully have Susan, Jon and Heidi to celebrate Christmas with! 

Dancing Addy

The 14th was the last day of dance class for the fall and parents are always invited to watch.  Michael and I had been in the spring and the grandparents seemed interested in going, so we let them go in our place this time.  Addy has apparently improved dramatically since the spring.  Well, she could always do the activities, she just had to actually listen to the teacher to know what to do.  Had a bit of trouble with that in the spring, but she did a great job this time.  Dad did some video so we got to watch her moves and here are some cute pics.  We are looking forward to the recital in the spring - no telling what we are in store for with that!

Standing

Ella LOVES to stand up these days.  She'll get fussy just sitting on the floor with her toys so we stand up against the cubes and she could do this forever.  You have to stay close though, she looks pretty stable, but she topples over after a bit.  Always with something in the mouth! 

Mommy, Addy, Ella Day

Just some fun pics...

Christmas Tree Shopping

Went to the Christmas tree store again this year and found a great tree.  Addy had fun running around and I think that we learned that strollers and the Christmas tree store don't mix too well.  Don't think that Ella got hit in the face with any limbs, but if the canopy hadn't been on there is a good chance she would have been! 

Michael did an excellent job putting the lights on and then Addy and I did the ornaments.  Makes me wonder, are there any moms that do the lights or is that just inherently a dad gig? 

The other day Addy and I got in a discussion about fake trees (like Grandma and Grandpa and Granddad and Meme have) and real trees.  Addison stated that she wanted a fake one.  Sorry kid, not in my house!  For now at least, may be different in 20 years. 

 Addy is actually laughing in this pic.  She found it hilarious to lay under the tree and in this pic Ella is pulling her hair.  Kind of makes me want to cry when she pulls my hair, but Addy has a hard head!

 Ella exploring the tree

 Addy putting the ornaments on.  She is notorious for taking ornaments on and off the tree, usually some get broken.  So this year we talked about how it was important to not move the around and just let them be.  She had a friend over to play a few days later and I heard her telling her friend that her mom said that she wasn't supposed to take the ornaments on and off.  She's done a remarkable job of leaving them alone, not perfect, but I haven't had to break out the glue gun yet!

 Ella and Addy hanging out in the trees!

Skeeters - The Next Generation

This one is for all of my girls who spent hours with me at Skeeters!  I'm working to raise the next generation to color on tables and eat chips and queso. 

Baby Jesus

Addison may go to a Jewish school, but she is all into Baby Jesus right now.  We have a kiddie nativity scene that we got out when were putting the Christmas decorations out, so that kind of started the Baby Jesus talk, but on Friday night we went to BUMC's Bethlehem Village and they had a live nativity scene, so now she is trying to dress Ella up as Baby Jesus...I was able to curb that by suggesting she make one of her dolls Baby Jesus.  Even made a manger out of shoe box!  

 Here is Addy with Mary and Jesus in the background.  Addy was quick to pick up on the fact that Baby Jesus was a doll.  And the one below is Addy standing next to Joseph.

 So, first it was wrapping Ella up to look like a swaddled Baby Jesus.  Ella is way past the swaddling stage!

Option B - wrapping up a baby doll.  Mommy and Ella liked this option much better!

Baby needed a manicure

 Addy took this one - apparently Baby Jesus likes to play with rawhide bones!

Happy Hanukkah

Addy has been at Bertha Alyce for three and a half years now and this is by far my favorite Jewish holiday art she has come home with!  I love preschool art and preschool art with pictures is even better.  We can't get her to tell us what she is supposed to be, our best guess is a Maccabee, but the picture is priceless. 

Fun Times on Braeburn

 I have yet to figure out how in the world Dad fell asleep in this position!  If you've sat on this swing, nothing about it is comfortable.  But apparently Ella and Granddad had a lovely nap on the swing yesterday!

 For Meme's birthday Addison decided she needed nail polish and when we went to Target to buy some she was dead set on getting yellow nail polish.  My attempts to get her to go with a red or pink were worthless, so Taxi Cab Yellow it was!  Here they are modeling their new manicures, or if you ask Addison she'd call it a glamicure because that is what they call it on her Strawberry Shortcake show!