Christmas Eve Morning

Uncle Howard thought he would get to sleep in this morning. Not so! The kids couldn't wait to open gifts.

Hailey got a volleyball.

Preston wanted to eat paper.

Daniel helped Maddie open a present.

Is it obvious how much my kids love their cousins?!

Stockings

Marty and I hosted Christmas for my family this year. My parents and my sis and her family came in Tuesday night. We had a great time. We let the kids open stockings that night, and they were thrilled to find marshmallow shooters! (And Marty and I are still finding mini marshmallows all over our house!!) Hailey and Gracie are laughing because they both just hit Uncle Marty with marshmallows.

Visiting

We were able to see some great friends this week. We stopped in to see our beloved Ms. Linda and the kids that she kept when Maddie stayed at her house.

We dropped in to visit Angela at work

We also stopped by the doctor's office that took great care of me with both my pregnancies. Kids with Pam and Ronda.

Goodies!

We had a great time making cookies and other Christmas goodies Monday night.

Going to Marty's work Christmas party

Preston is really sitting up well. He likes playing the piano.

Ho ho ho

Santa came to our neighborhood today. Preston played with his beard and Maddie had a deer-in-headlights look while she was on his lap. I can't believe she actually went to him. We haven't really talked much about Santa, but she was really excited to get a cookie!

















I couldn't get her to take one step closer to the snow man. She is so funny.


P has two top teeth coming in, and he is constantly making this silly face. I have been so lucky that my kids are easy teethers.

Playing with Oli and Drew

M&M's? Nope, I haven't seen any M&M's mom.

Snow day!

Pictures from our deck this morning.

Let it snow!

It's snowing at our house. It took daddy an hour and a half to get home (normally less than 20 minutes). Maddie threw her first snowball...wearing only pjs and ballet flats. So practical!

Christmas pics - take 2

We are still without a Christmas card picture. Here are a few of today's best. (I'm doing these myself with my new camera...so I'm sure that's where the problem starts!)

Preston, don't touch my dress!

Mommy, Maddie won't let me touch her dress!

No comment needed.

Elf on the Shelf

We are lovin the elf on the shelf. Has anyone else started this tradition at their house? Maddie named our elf Ho-ho (yes, she also calls Santa Ho-ho). If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out http://www.elfontheshelf.com/

Marty and I have enjoyed looking for creative places for "Ho-ho" to sit around our house. Tonight he's hanging out above our bathtub. It's Maddie's job to find him each morning.

For the past few weeks, I have noticed that Preston's bumper is always loose and it's starting to lean in a bit. I went to check on him tonight after he went to sleep, and now I have an explanation. I feel sure this is a major SIDS violation.

1st attempt at Christmas pics

If you don't get a Christmas card this year, don't be surprised.

Preston, whatever you do, don't look at Mommy.

Preston, let's both put our hands in our mouth.

Maddie: Mommy, I don't want to wear this dress anymore. I want to watch Dora!

Preston: Can I eat this dress?

Did he swallow any of his carrots??

Preston, let me check you for ticks.

DJ is really excited about his Santa / Jingle Bell collar. He also has a red light on his collar that flashes :) Poor dog. Maddie calls Santa Clause "Ho Ho", whom she has let us know scares her. We really haven't talked to her about Santa because we don't want to take away from the real reason for Christmas. I would love to hear how the rest of you handle "Santa" at your house.

Merry Christmas!!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Look who's sitting!

Mommy, you're not holding on!

I can do this.

Daddy, look what I can do!!

Wait...am I wearing orange and white?? Don't tell dad!

Daddy and Maddie going to Elmo Live

They had a great time.

Lunch with the girls! Maddie loves seeing Amy and Brandi. Check out Maddie's little Louis Vuitton purse. Of course it is not real, but my cousin sent it to her, and it is precious. She keeps her Dora phone and three miniature barbies in it. That's my girl!