The Night Before Christmas 2011

First of all, let me start this post by saying two things... first, Merry Christmas! Second, you try to get three kids ages three and under to all look at the camera and smile at the same time. See? It's not easy, and it didn't happen, so you will just have to enjoy the pictures we did get.



Tonight we headed over to my parents' house to celebrate Christmas with my parents and my sister and her family. We had lots of fun, and the twins were so excited to get to open the first of many presents.





Frannie was explaining the finer things in life to Kate...like Barbie sunglasses, cell phone, and credit cards... all stored in a pink Barbie purse. Every girl must have one.


After we got home, we quickly got into our PJs. Dad said he was pretty sure he spotted Santa's sleigh, so we had to get to sleep quickly. We put out our cookies and carrots (cookies for Santa... carrots for reindeer). Then, we said goodbye to our good buddy, Duncan the Elf. His last night with us is Christmas Eve. We'll see him again next year. :-)




We are hoping for a visit from Santa tonight!! Merry Christmas!

Visit with Santa

Last Friday, we went to the mall to visit Santa and see who would be willing to sit in his lap to talk with him about Christmas. Last year, Frannie talked a big game, but when the time came, she was clinging to Phil in a distant corner of the mall... far... FAR.. away from Santa. She told us, "Maybe next year." This year, she was saying, "It's Santa Time!" on the drive to the mall. Phil and I just laughed knowing fully that she would not be a participant this year either. Well, guess what? She decided to prove us wrong. She was slightly petrified with huge round eyes, but she got up there with Rush and told Santa what she wants for Christmas (a Barbie and a Barbie chair). I could see her face, and she seemed a little scared, but she actually looks pretty happy in the picture below. Rush was as happy as a clam. He told Santa what he wanted (Woody from Toy Story). Santa gave them a small coloring book and half a candy cane. Seriously, the candy cane was so small, I thought it was broken or something. It barely had enough cane to call it a candy cane. Think the kids noticed? No way! They just wanted to know when they could eat it. To which I replied, "Right after your super healthy dinner from the mall Chick-fil-a." Rush was however somewhat distressed by Santa's lack of speed with the gift giving. Last year Rush asked Santa for a black car and was confused that it wasn't immediately in his hands. I thought we had discussed Santa/Christmas Eve enough that he understood that the gifts wouldn't be immediate. Ummmm... he didn't understand. As I was getting swindled out of the $21 dollars for two pictures (same as last year... but with an additional child in this photo), Rush looked up at me with huge tears in his eyes. I asked him what was wrong. He held up the coloring book and said, "I thought I was getting Woody. I asked for it." Poor little guy. He has only ever known a world of pretty much instant gratification. He hasn't had to wait around for much. I felt bad for him. Of course, that didn't keep me from laughing. I had to re-explain the process again. He recovered after a minute or two. We had dinner and all was well. They had the half canes in the car on the way home. :-)


Another funny from Rush: We have a Nativity scene set up on one of our tables. We have talked about who all of the people are and their roles in the scene. Rush was staring at it one day, and he pointed to Jesus (who is lying in a manger). He looked at me and said, "Mom, do he have a Tee-ta?" Sweet little guy can't even imagine being by himself. His world has only ever exsisted with Frannie in it. He just can't imagine there not being a Tee-ta. Even Jesus should have a Tee-ta as far as he is concerned. :-) Love him!

Annual Christmas Card Photo Session 2011

I can't believe this is my first Christmas post of the season!! I always love to post a few Christmas card photo session outtakes because although I think the cards have always turned out cute... getting there isn't always easy. This year wasn't bad at all. I barely broke a sweat. Of course, Phil did stand behind me with the phone in his hand and have a conversation with Santa about how silly they were being and how he thought it might be best if Santa gave the Barbie and Woody they have asked for to someone else. Mean? Maybe a smidge. Well, desperate times call for desperate measures.









And the one that made the final cut...

The Big Game

(Excuse the blurred, action-shot vibe of the above photo. Rush is in action-mode most of the time and it was taken with my phone.)It's no secret to most that we live in "a house divided". This time of year can be interesting. Phil and I are both frantically teaching our team's fight song. The big game did not swing in the direction that Frannie and I would have chosen, but it is still a fun day in the end. Rush and Fran wore their team gear to Gigi and Papa's house, and Phil and I headed out to attend the game in person. We had fun seats and got to hang out with friends and family. A good day.... except for that whole losing the ball game thing.

Thanksgiving 2011

I could really post these pictures with only one word attached... thankful. But, as usual, I am not really that great at being quiet or wordless.



I am so thankful for this sweet baby boy. We celebrated his arrival and his Mama with a baby shower on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Sweet, good times... we have been waiting for baby Ben for a long time. He has the privilege of being raised and loved by my long-time friend and AU roommate, Leslie and her husband, Jimmy. He doesn't know how lucky he is yet, but he will.


I think it goes without saying that I am so thankful for these little wild Indians.


My sister holding our girls... need I say more?


And this one gives the best kisses...


I am thankful for my messy boy that thought the red velvet cake was finger-lickin' good. His Thanksgiving lunch consisted of rolls and cake. I guess the rest of us ate whatever we wanted, so why shouldn't he be able to do the same?


And this little beauty smiled all day, so I am thankful for that.

Thanksgiving this year was full of family, friends, and good food. It's the reason it is one my favorite holidays. It is all about spending time together and eating... what could be better?

Standing on the couch

We need a picture-taking occasion to come around really soon. They both wanted their picture taken standing on the couch. Do you think they are going through papparazzi withdrawals? The holidays are coming up, so pictures will be abundant. I am going to try to take the Christmas card picture myself this year, so that always leads to some fun outtakes. Stay tuned...

Tiny Dancer

This past Wednesday, we all went to watch Sydney Frances perform in her first Dance Class Performance. She was very proud to show us what she has been learning since September. The class is for 3-4 year olds. It was adorable and hilarious all at the same time. You can hear me giggling on a few of the videos because I just kept getting so tickled at the things they were doing. Throw about ten three and four year olds in a room and see what you get! Pure entertainment!! Sydney Frances did a great job of listening to her teacher. She would follow her directions and then smile at the paparazzi.. uh... I mean... the parents. :-) There were so many flashes going off in that room that it felt like we were interviewing a Kardashian. Rush was there with us, too, and he watched with interest for about ten minutes. Then, he needed other entertainment, so I had to start digging out cars and books for him. They gave each other five at the end of the performance (maybe one of my favorite moments), though, so I know Rush was proud, too. :-) Syd told us she wants to keep going with dancing classes, so she will start again for another session in January. I think we will keep up these classes until she is a little older and can make a decision about whether she would like to take in a school that lasts the whole school year. This is just right for us right now.







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Unfortunately, there was a small incident that somewhat put a black cloud over our fun day. As we were walking into a restaurant for dinner, Sydney Frances "spilled" her lunch all over the sidewalk. The tummy bug that Rush had last weekend decided to make a debut on the same night as her dance debut. Poor girl! I am just so thankful she made it through the recital before she got sick. So, we a spent a day at home away from daycare and work, snuggling and getting better. The bug was a mild one, and let's be honest... I don't mind staying home with my girl to spend some time hanging out. So all in all... not a completely bad thing. :-)