Christmas: Take Two ~Our house

Christmas day, we all headed downstairs to see what Santa brought. We were SPOILED!

Payton asked for three things..

1) a pink computer.. check

2) a pink watch.. check

3) a Cinderella umbrella.. check

Gracie received a Cozy coupe! She didn't want to get out of it!

Daddy was so happy Gracie loved it! We were up with Santa until close to 1am putting it together.

Me and my Gracie-girl

Me and my bug.

Christmas: Take Three ~Grammi's house

Christmas morning, around 10:30, we headed to Ryan's mom's house to celebrate Christmas. Joanne had been cooking all morning and as soon as we opened the door, we could smell the yumminess!!! She did an Italian themed day for food, and everything was so delicious! We had baked Mostacholi, pasta with shrimp, Chicken Parmesan, meatballs and sausage.. I can't even begin to list EVERYTHING that was there. There was so much food and it was all so yummy and constantly coming out of the oven, we couldn't even put a dent in it. We ate all day long, opened presents, drank champagne, played games, spent time with each other and had a wonderful time being with family.

Gracie's new stroller

Payton's Cinderella shoes

Payton and our neice Mia (Nathan's daughter) playing in the wrapping paper.

Nathan (Ryan's brother) Gracie and Payton

Exhausted after a day of eatting, opening up presents, eatting, playing in wrapping paper, eatting some more, and playing games.

Christmas: Take Four ~the cabin

For as long as I can remember, on Christmas morning we would all wake up, see what Santa brought us and then we would head to the cabin until we had to go back to school. Now that I'm older, I don't have the luxury of being up there for a week and a half to snowmobile, sled, and overall.. just play in the snow and not worry about anything.. Sadly, we have to work, take care of our dogs and have at home responsibilities. Oh the joys of having to grow up! ;) But at least my little family and I can head over for a day or two and see my Dad and Step-mom and enjoy a little fun in the snow.

Ryan, the girls and I, got up Saturday morning and headed over the pass. We got there about noon and immediately Payton, Ryan, Rosie, my sister-in-law Tracy and our nephew's Aspen and Trent headed out to sled.

Trent (my brother Ryan's son)
Ryan and Payton

Ready for more!

Trent

Aspen (my brother Nathan's son), Rosie (my step-mom) and Payton

Ryan said she was "fearless!"

Payton and Auntie Tracy (Nathan's wife)

Aspen

Trent

Aspen, Payton, and Trent

Afterwards, they all headed home and we got ready for dinner.

The spread

Braydon (Nathan's son), Kaden (Ryan's son) and Payton

Aspen, Rosie, and Trent

Gracie's ready to eat!

Tracy, Nathan, Ryan, and Rachael

Grandma and Bapa

Rosie and my dad

(l-r) Trent, Aspen, Kaden, Braydon (standing), Payton and Gracie

Let the madness begin!

Ryan and I, exhausted after three days of present opening!

What a wonderful Christmas we had! We feel so blessed to be able to spend it with almost ALL of our family!

Gracie's latest accessory

Gracie found this tutu in Payton's dress up box last week and lately this is all she's been wanting to play with.

It's so funny after she slides down the stairs. The tutu is pulled up over her belly.

Fun with Kiley

Monday, December 21st, our friends Jason and Nika asked if I could watch their daughter Kiley for them for the day. Of course I was MORE than willing/happy to do that! The girls were equally excited to have their friend over as well. Jason dropped Kiley off at 6 a.m. and picked her up just after 6 in the evening. Payton and Gracie were very disappointed when she left because they had so much fun together.

Payton and Kiley playing in the kitchen
Gracie was still asleep, so Payton was very excited to have Kiley all to herself.

Kiley and Gracie eating breakfast together.

"Cheers!"

Gracie kept looking for Kiley the next day, wondering where she was. They two of them play very well together. We all had so much fun with Kiley. It's actually not much different having another child in the house, surprisingly. A lot more busy, but overall pretty easy. Payton was a huge help with getting things for the girls, entertaining them when one was asleep and just being a great big sister! We're looking forward to watching Kiley again in a couple of weeks!

Payton's Christmas Program

Saturday, December 12th, Payton's pre-school had their Christmas program. Payton had been practicing at school and at home for the weeks prior, so we were all very excited to see the final product! It brought me to tears when i saw her class coming into the auditorium. They were all lined up and following their teacher.. Just thinking about how big she's getting, made me so sad on how fast time is flying! However, I couldn't have been prouder!

Payton's class performing their class solo.
ALL of the three year old's performing!
Thankfully I bought the video of the program, so we can watch it for years to come!

Can you spot Payton?

Payton and Jordan not wanting to say goodbye.

Our family.

Ryan and I were very proud parents! Payton did so well! She was very tired after it was all done though.

Below is a video of Payton's class's solo song. "Hooves, belly, Antlers, nose" to the tune of "Head, shoulders, knees and toes".

Lyrics:

Hooves, belly, antlers, nose. Antlers, nose.

Hooves, belly, antlers, nose. Antlers, nose.

Left hoof, right hoof. Strike a pretty pose.

Hooves, belly, antlers, nose. Antlers, nose.

They also went through all of the kids in Payton's class and they all said their names and "Merry Christmas". It was a little hard to hear Payton, but I'm so proud that she said it!