Christmas Break

2 weeks with everyone home. I was so excited. I knew we had to have a plan because two weeks with nothing on the schedule would mean mutiny so over break the plan was: everyday we (who am I kidding?) I would deep clean a room, we would bake something and we would do a project. Most of the cleaning got done, the baking got done, and most of the projects did too. Success and exhaustion

First up: Projects
Wooden Decorations

Clay Ornaments: Stage 1

Clay Ornaments: Stage 2

Alli's finished ornaments

Kate's finished ornaments

Gingerbread House

Ryan being silly but it was nice to have him home

Next up: Baking
Chocolate Fudge Cookies

Gingerbread Cookies

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Lemon Bars

Peanut Blossoms

Christmas with Aunt Patty

Aunt Patty came up a little early to celebrate Christmas with us. The girls love to spend time with her and loved the gifts she brought up. Hopefully we'll see her again soon and she'll bring Uncle Tom too! Thanks Patty...we love you!
Sarah liked the box and wrapping paper much more than the clothes inside

Silly Bandz!

Oh boy, a standing microphone to go with her guitar

A pillow pet unicorn...it's a good thing it's stuffed

Somehow I missed Allison opening her gifts, but she loves her Scrabble game and her Crayon maker!

Winter Holiday Feast

Once again the kindergarteners got together for a feast. This time a little continental breakfast and some fun Christmas songs. The kids were eagerly awaiting Christmas break, but had a little bit of fun before they said goodbye for 2010.
Allison and Evan...sans hats

Allison and Mrs. Passmore

My "big" girls

Caroling Fun!

Allison missed her first session of caroling with the girl scouts but we had a double booked ourselves and had plans with a group of friends to go caroling later in the evening. The girls enjoyed some hot cocoa, Ryan enjoyed some hot cocoa with a little something extra and we all enjoyed singing along to our favorite Christmas Carols.
Kate and Calum ready to go

Goin' on a Tree Hunt

We almost didn't get a tree this year. For a few days we used the tree hunt as a carrot for good behavior then we quickly figured out that if we waited for a day when both girls held it together we might not get a tree at all. Then when you factored in the weather and Ryan unwilling to cut down a tree in the rain or mud it was ever more unlikely. So one day after school and before two sets of caroling plans we ran down the Davis Ranch and got our tree. Grace joined us and served as our family photographer too. But in the end, Allison chose to stay home and decorate the tree and skip the first session of caroling with her girl scout troop. Whew...December 16th we finally had a tree!
Daddy going to work

The girls in front of our tree

Timber

Daddy hauling it away

Yes, they are girls. The only mud that was touched was via a stick!

All decorated!

Allison's Christmas Party

Once again the kindergarteners in Mrs. Passmore class had another party. This time we kept it low key and they decorated cookies, did a small craft, and then had a book exchange. The kids had fun and enjoyed an afternoon party with their classmates.
I love this smile

It was fun to overhear Allison tell Grace to get the book she had picked and vice versa.

Kate's Christmas Party

Kate had a small Christmas party with her closest friends. Calum and Lily came over and they made sugar cookies and had hot chocolate, they made a holiday craft, and then exchanged gifts. It's fun to see these three together because they really are a sweet set of kids who get along really well together. Their mamas are pretty great too!
Lily and her snowman

Calum in full concentration mode

A Parrot flashlight that tweets!

Calum opening his Rocket Launcher

Lily opening her beauty set

Sweet Sarah: 8 months

She's eating..well sorta. For breakfast she has an egg and some banana. For lunch she has avocado and some fruit or chicken and fruit and for dinner she has whatever we're having along with a pureed veggie and fruit. We're struggling to get the veggies down but she's more than willing to indulge in some fruit. She's very good at shaking her head, but we don't really think it means "No" unless you are offerring veggies and then it's most definitely no. She's not crawling but sitting up and lunging forward. She's babbling and saying "Mamama" and she still loves her big sisters. Allison can make her smile and laugh like no other. Sarah's extremely ticklish and still not sleeping through the night. She's up about 3 times a night...I'm hoping that gets better soon but I haven't consistently slept through the night in almost 5 1/2 years so what's another couple of months, right? We love you Sairs!
1st backpack ride!

I cannot tell you how much I love you littl girl, but I know that one day you will know and understand.


Mama is jealous of those curly locks

Happy 8 month birthday, Sarah!

Christmas Shopping: Kids Style

For the past two years Allison has been able to do her Christmas shopping at her preschool Christmas Store and we were a little worried about being able to do it this year. Luckily, we were able to get "tickets" from a friend and both girls were able to get a few gifts for family. The girls love the experience of choosing gifts for Mom and Dad and actually surprising us.
After shopping, the girls got a chance to sit with Santa. Kate was not having it

until later