Christmas 2014

In the days leading up to Christmas we had some fun getting into the holiday spirit!

Stella was an Angel in our Christmas Pageant

Making Cornstarch Ornaments

Painting our ornaments:

Then we decorated Trey's tree with our homemade ornaments.  It rained the very next day so they didn't last long but it was a fun baking and art project!

Making cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve!

This year our baby Jesus Birthday balloons carried
Disney Frozen on Ice tickets.  We're excited
for the show in March!

Christmas day we stayed home and played all day. Stella was up first and waited so patiently reading books and watching a cartoon with Mommy for a whole hour before she woke up Claire-Bear and Daddy.  We had a simple breakfast with Grammie, Pa, and Aunt MJ, and then Mommy pulled a homemade lasagna from the freezer later on so barely any time was spent in the kitchen that day!  This allowed us plenty of time to play Stella's new favorite game from Santa 'Barbeque Party' which I think we played probably 60 times!

Exchanging Gifts!

Papa said the best part about Christmas was seeing the girls
exchange their gifts and hug one another.  They love each
other so much!

Cake and Ice Cream to celebrate
Baby Jesus' Birthday!

 

Chillin' with Mickey!

In the days afterward we've had more fun at home, and enjoyed some unseasonably warm North Country Weather!

Stella yelled out 'Winter is over!' when Mama
asked her if she wanted to go the playground!

Once outside Stella said 'Mom, it's colder
out here than I thought!'

Arts & Crafts Handprint Chrismas Present!

A Visit from the Tooth Fairy!

Last night the tooth fairy visited our house!  Stella greeted me this morning with 'Momma, the tooth fairy came!'  When I asked her how she knew that she said 'because she brought me a dollar!'.  It is so much fun to enjoy these special moments with our girls!

Stella has been very wary of visiting the dentist so we bought her the storybook The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist recently.  Last week when she noticed her tooth was loose she knew all about what was coming thanks to that book.  When her tooth fell out she said to daddy 'but I'm not talking different!'.  Since she lost such a small tooth she's not talking differently but you can definitely see it is missing!  Here's hoping her first visit to the dentist, which won't be until March, will be a positive one!

Gearing up for Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner we've been busy doing lots of usual festive things. We decorated our tree this week and managed to break just one ornament so far! Stella and mommy made some yummy red and green mints together, although she refused to taste one! Since daddy took a day trip to VT with his team on Saturday we took the opportunity to pick a few things out at the store for him. Both girls wanted to buy him a basketball hoop for the driveway but when I told them I didn't have enough money for that they came up with some other good stuff!  The girls were able to see Santa at the annual VFW Christmas party where they had fun playing games and making crafts too!  After Stella opened the gift he gave her, which she loved, she said 'I wonder what else Santa will give me that I didn't ask for?'  They also spent some time with Aunt MJ this weekend making Gifts for Mommy but they also brought home a gingerbread house (which Claire keeps stealing candy from!). Today Claire said she was tired and put herself down for a nap so Stella and I went to the Cantata at church. The singing was louder than usual so halfway through the first song she whispered to me 'why are they screaming?' It was cute!

Thanksgiving Travels

At Chuck E. Cheese on our way home from Ohio

The last few weeks have flown by and have been full of fun!  We wrapped up another gymnastics class, had an overnight at Ronald McDonald House, traveled to Ohio for Thanksgiving to spend time with family, watched an in-class Ballet & Tap demonstration, and a sleep over with the Britton's.  Aunt Patti cut Stella's hair and we're excited that she was able to donate 11" toward Locks of Love!  With the Christmas season upon us we've started buying gifts for our cousins and are looking forward to decorating our tree this week and telling Santa our Christmas wish this coming weekend!

Claire playing with dollies

Stella & Skye getting ready for
Thanksgiving Dinner!

Cailin, Stella, and Jordan playing games

Stella told us she loved being on stage!