Christmas Mega Post- 2011

We had a wonderful Christmas!!

Christmas Eve we went to my Dad and Sallie’s house, as is our tradition.

Skyeler and Ainsley hanging out.

The kids made gingerbread crafts. They could either do a Snoopy doghouse or a sleigh with Santa. The girls all picked the sleighs.

Some may have been tasting the decorations and frosting as they went.

Ainsley playing with Jason Jr.

We took some photos pre-presents. It’s good motivation for the kids.

Dad and Sallie with all their grandkids.

Grandma Schelle with all of her Great-Grandkids. This was the best photo I got.

Katie and Jason’s Family.

Brandon and Nichole, minus the dog’s Lucy and Daisy. 2012 will be a big year for them as they will be married!!

Finally present time!! Kaylee and her new Squinkie game. One of her many new things.

Ainsley and her new V-Reader. Can you tell how much she wanted this!

Grandpa playing a game of Headbands with the kids.

Dad and Sallie.

Ainsley showing Great-Grandma how to work her V-Reader.

We got home and the girls got to work, setting out cookies, milk, and a homemade pretzel for Santa and some carrots for the Reindeer. Ainsley helped Kaylee write a note to Santa.

Christmas morning-looks like Santa came. This year he brought Kaylee a digital camera, a scrapbook and some scrapbook accessories. Ainsley got a Barbie dollhouse, furniture and a new Barbie. Apparently Santa’s elves were really busy this year and had to send Brad the blueprints for the house. Of course Brad agreed to help and when Santa got to our house on Christmas Eve the house was ready to be set up and have the furniture added to it.

Checking out their stockings.

Ainsley playing in her dollhouse.

Presents galore!!!

Later in the day Brad’s family came over.

Grandma and Grandpa with their girls.

Kristin and I.

Of course MORE presents!

We had a very blessed Christmas. Mostly because we got to spend time with our family!! The girls must have been on their best behavior for most of the year because they sure got some great things!

The last few days have been a lot of cleaning and organizing! I’m still not done. However it gives me something to work on over New Year’s weekend. Yep, I really live the wild life!!

Christmas Festivities

We have been enjoying all the festivities that this time of year brings!!

We helped my Mom decorate her tree. I love that she invites the girls over to do this and we get to have these wonderful memories!

Of course in order to do great tree-trimming work one needs some hot cocoa, with extra marshmallows of course.

 

We have also attended many a holiday performance. My Mom got she, the girls and I tickets to the Holiday Spectacular. The girls loved it!!! We also attended the performances in which they were the stars. Kaylee’s school program was first.

Followed by Ainsley’s Holiday Program. Hard to believe but this is our last Montessori Children’s program. After attending one every year since 2004, as either a teacher or a parent, this was our final program.

Ainsley had a speaking part and a dancing part.

This past weekend we had our traditional cookie baking day Christmas at my Mom’s. We go over in the morning, spend the day in our PJ’s and bake cookies all day long.

Sarah was excited!

Belle having a rest.

Daddy and his girls.

Me and my girls.

We do gifts with my Mom and Brian and Sarah on this day. We don’t get to see Brian and Sarah on Christmas, and although my Mom comes over Christmas afternoon it’s nice to our gifts earlier because it is less overwhelming for the girls. She does wait to bring their stockings until Christmas.

They got lots of wonderful things but one of the hot items was a guitar for Kaylee and a ukulele for Ainsley.

The next day was Ainsley’s big dance recital. She has been taking dance this past year with her buddy Olivia. They did such a great job and looked so cute!!

We missed the Duffy Family Christmas this year so Dad and Sallie brought the girls’ gifts to the dance recital. They got a gift card to Barnes an Noble and bookmark from their Great-Aunt Myra, and an art set from my Dad and Sallie (Each grandparent brings a gift for their grandchild.).

We have certainly enjoyed our Holiday season so far. We have donated our Toys for Tots, gone through our items for Goodwill, made various crafts, baked goods, wrapped gifts, written our Santa letters, worked on our advent calendars, talked with our Elf on the Shelf, looked at Christmas lights and so much more. Love this time of year and the memories that are made from it.