Family New Years Eve

I think that this was a first too - normally the kids get shipped to the grandparents for New Years Eve, but this year we started a new family tradition of going to the beach house.  It was a bit chilly, but we had a nice long stay.

 Very low tide, no waves, gorgeous winter day at the beach.  Hard to believe this is the same place that was covered with sea weed a few months earlier.

 Notice the sand on Ella's back side?  Yeah, it was all over her pants and all in her boots.

 This would be the reason for the sand everywhere - although we tried to clarify that you don't sit in the sand in your clothes, she might as well have been in a swimsuit.  

Another first for the girls - fireworks! It is always fun to visit the fine folks at the fireworks stand.  Nothing too fancy, just some sparklers and Roman candles.  We also got some spinning ladybug things that the fireworks lady said were fun for kids.  The darn things spun around making this loud noise, sparks flying everywhere and then it shot off into the air.  No clue where they ended up.  I was pretty sure that Addy would like the sparklers, but figured she'd drop the Roman candle and run when it shot off at first.  But she was a fireworks pro.  Closely supervised of course!

Ella and I spent most of the time inside watching through the window.  Too loud apparently, not so much of a fan...

Christmas 2012

Everyone was healthy, everyone was happy, overall a great Christmas.  Christmas Eve started with a family trip to church, which was a first.  We went to the family service mid-afternoon and it was short and very much geared towards kids.  I knew Addy would be fine, wasn't sure what Ella would do, but she was great.  Maybe a little talking during the prayer, but no worse than any other 2 year old in the sanctuary. 

Finished off Christmas Eve with a yummy dinner at the Wolfs.  Thanks again to Bob and Mary for sending such a yummy brisket!  As usual ate, ate until we were stuffed and then headed home to get ready for Santa. 

Not only did Santa get some fancy sugar cookies, but Addy left some carrots for the reindeer, which were gobbled up by morning.  She also did a little art for Santa to take to remember his stop at the Wolf house!  Ella is missing from the pic below because the day's activities were in the middle of nap time, so she basically came home, put on pjs and went straight to bed.  Even tried to get her up to come help with the cookies and milk and would have nothing to do with it!

 Santa didn't go overboard this year, he was nice and took into consideration the fact that our house is already busting at the seams with toys, but the girls both got what they asked for.

 The only thing on Addy's wish list was skates and she got her skates. 

 Ella's wish list was a bit vague, but Santa knew she'd love a kitten pillow pet. 

 Ella was not 100% into opening the packages yet, but big sister came to help.

 Crafts anyone?

 Doc McStuffins arrived on Yarwell.  Doc and her friends were definitely a highlight of the day.

 Christmas day and Addy is in a skirt and short sleeve shirt.  Our friends and family in Dallas were getting snow on Christmas day, but it worked out well that we got 70 degree weather so that Addy could practice.  

 "Cheese"

  The only real thing on Ella's wish list was "a Dora present".  She left it pretty open for interpretation.  So, she got a Dora doll, a Dora trike and a Dora kiddie size patio set for outside.  Santa and the grandparents did great deciphering her wish.

Christmas Day wrapped up with a yummy dinner at Jean and Tom's.  As always, great times with the family.  I went to dinner with intentions of taking a lot of family pics.  I wasn't completely successful, but did manage to get one great one of the four of us with Granny!