Christmas 2008

After weeks of preparation and waiting Santa finally made his way down our chimney. I don't know who was more excited on Christmas day; me to see Abby's joy and excitement, or Abby to see that Santa had finally come. Santa was good to all of us as usual and we had a wonderful day of leisurely opening presents and playing with all of our new goodies. All of a sudden it was 2PM and we were all still in our jammies and we were having a house full of people over for Christmas dinner in just a few hours. Thus began our frantic cleaning/cooking attempt to get everything done before the guests arrived. Most everything got done as our first guests arrived and we began a wonderful evening of eating, chatting, opening more presents, and making memories. The McMenamy's, the Malone's and Peter and Susan all helped to make our Christmas even more special! As I reflect on the day that went by in a blur, I am thankful that we were able to celebrate with friends and family because, after all, that's what the holiday season is all about!

The calm before the storm

Abby checking out what Santa left in her stocking....how did he know she LOVES M&M's so much?

Grammy and Olivia taking a mid-present opening cat nap

The kids helping Sam open a gift for the twins!

Andrews new beer pong shirt

Nolan and Abby's gift exchange

Its the new fashion for 2009

Not the greatest picture, but its the only one we got of Sam and myself. I have been pretty bad about taking pictures lately, its one of my new years resolutions to be better about it.

Susan and Brian trying out Guitar Hero

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we went to the children's service at church. It was a very cute program aimed at kids with a Birthday Party for Jesus theme, complete with singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and cupcakes to celebrate. When we got home we had a wonderful turkey dinner prepared by Susan and Andrew, which was followed by preparations for the big guy in reds arrival. Abby was allowed to pick out one present to open and she got Hi-Ho Cheerio from my friend Josie.
After playing our new game a few times it was time to put out Santa's cookies and milk and carrots for the reindeer. After Abby was tucked in and Olivia was asleep, a mad dash to wrap and out together presents began. It was a great night spent as a family.

Abby before church

putting out treats for Santa and the reindeer

Opening the one present on Christmas Eve

Decembers Random Ramblings

• Abby was being stubborn one night when I was trying to get her to clean up her blocks. I was sitting on the couch feeding Olivia and getting frustrated that Abby wasn't listening to me. Abby decided to try a different approach and leaned on the couch giving me her sweetest smile. I held her stare and tried ti project my most serious "I mean it face", to which she just smiled bigger and brighter. The showdown went on for about a minute until she said "C'mon, just show me a smile!". Of course, I busted out laughing and was again outsmarted by a 3 year old!
• On the way home from school Abby asked me how do babies get in bellies. I told her that when a Mommy and Daddy love each other very much then God sends them a baby. She then said, "Well, I don't have a baby in my belly". I told her you have to be an adult first and you have to love some one VERY much before you can have a baby in your belly. Then she replied, "Ok then, I will only love Nolan a little bit because I don't want a baby in my belly!!"
• Abby loves to play "Remembery" aka Memory.

Try the pink ones, they are really yummy!

Abby was a baking queen in the days leading up to Christmas. She was very excited to make Santa a very wide variety of treats and I had good intentions of handing some of the goodies out as Christmas treats to some friends and neighbors but time got away from us and now I have 100's of cookies in my house tempting me! We have butter cookies, candy cane cookies, cream cheese cookies, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, truffles, and caramel chocolate pretzels.

Mmmm....yummy!!!

Just can't get enough!

Abby and Grammy Susan were baking fools!

Would you like some cookie with your sprinkles??

Christmas Program

The week before Christmas, Abby's preschool class put on a little Christmas show. Her class "sang" 2 Christmas songs. I put that in quotation marks because none of the kids really sang, they just kind of stood there...but they looked darn cute doing it! The other classes sang a few songs as well and it was all followed by yet another visit by Santa. It was a cute program, hopefully next year the kids will be a bit more inclined to actually participate. :)

Abby and her teacher Miss Marlo.

Gingerbread House

The week before Christmas Abby and I decorated a gingerbread house while Olivia took a nap. It was a very messy project but we had a good time doing it. The frosting was a bit runny due to the humidity and warm temperatures, but we didn't let that bug us! Pre-made kits are definitely the way to go!

Bad Bucky

This is what I came home to one night while Andrew was TDY. Somehow Bucky got locked in Olivia's room while we were out and about for the day and had a hay day with the diapers. I nearly broke down crying when I opened Olivia's door and found this mess waiting for me (and this isn't the first time he has done this). Bucky is lucky he is cute, that is all I have to say!