Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas 2009! Every year we spend Christmas Eve at Nini and Papa's house. We started giving the girls 1 present each on Christmas Eve morning so that we could be the first ones to give them something.

It's a little selfish, I know, but they seemed to enjoy their first presents.

Christmas Eve 2009 family photo. (Thanks for all the extra pics Aunt Vicki!)

We brought Holly's new drum with to help her stay busy in case there wasn't an adult available to entertain her. They were really well-behaved this year. We're very lucky.

Ella watched everyone arrive and Holly worked on her letters.

Cookies and pianos, that makes for some happy kiddos.

Papa read "The Night Before Christmas." I think Ella was a little more interested than Holly.

After the story, the girls took a little rest in the comfy chair with Daddy. And then after presents, Ella showed Holly how all her new toys worked.

Christmas Morning...

They were still playing with the toys from Christmas Eve, I don't even think they realized that Santa had been to our house.

Hmmmm, whatever could be under that terrible wrapping job? A new kitchen for Ella and Holly, just like she asked for. What are the odds?

Ella started playing with the kitchen and then saw there were more presents to open.

Santa brought some new food and cooking gear for the kitchen. Holly grabbed the ice cream and ran away.

Ella was so nice, she helped Holly and Chopper open their stockings.

Holly was looking a little tired from all the excitement, so I blew up her new ball pit. It seemed to re-energize her.

More presents? Wow, the girls must have been REALLY good this year! Thanks again everyone for all the wonderful gifts. We are really spoiled.

Here's some extra shots of Pork Chop and Holly enjoying their new stuff.

Ella's Pre-Christmas photos

Again, sorry I've been slacking a little lately... Anyway - here's some photos of Ella in December.

Here are some more pics of our visit with Amarah, I love how Ella's pretending to be nice to Holly. Holly knows better, she's suspicious.

Blanket rides from Big Steve are great!

Ella and I made play-doh sandwiches, can you tell which one she did?

We're thinking of starting a girl band. (Insert some inappropriate joke about Daddy joining the band) He he he.

Salon time! Holly is so patient. They're such girlie-girls, Well, maybe not all the time. Ha!

It's Ella Claus. Oh and we started a new tradition... taking the drive through the Winter Wonderland light display in Vernon Hills. Ella had so much fun recognizing all the characters and Holly loved looking at all the lights. Pictures didn't really turn out, but I'm working on a little movie of it.

Ella's all wrapped up and ready to go! It was a great idea to give them the old paper. They left all the presents alone and this junk kept them busy for days. I had to step in when they started to joust, though it was really funny.

Ella's very happy about being bundled up, she knows it means she gets to play in the snow!

Was she on a roller coaster? Not sure, but the hands stayed up for the ride around the yard.

OK, sometimes she is really sweet to her little sister. But I always think Holly's a little worried about an ulterior motive.

Holly December Photos

Here are some pictures of Holly before Christmas. Now that the holidays are over I can catch up a bit. I hope to get everything updated while Daddy brews a new batch of beer tonight.

Our friend Amarah came over to play while her big brother Addison visited the dentist. The girls played really well together, Ella and Holly are only mean to each other, I guess. :o)

Here are some random shots of Holly being a goofball.

This was the first time she got up on the couch by herself. Daddy was in France at the time and I actually was on the phone with him when I heard her squealing in delight. She was so proud of herself.

Holly was not too happy being all bundled up, but she had fun once we got outside. And the chair? I think she's still used to high chairs, sitting this way feels normal to her I guess.

In order for them to leave me alone while I was wrapping presents, I bribed them with some old wrapping paper and the tubes. Here's Holly getting wrapped by Ella and then playing with the giant drumsticks.