Christmas

This year was the first year that the kids weren’t the first ones up.  Uncle David woke us up when he arrived at 7:30.  Apparently 12:30 is a little too late for the kids.  While we waited for everyone to get up and for Spencer to arrive Tom made his favorite…monkey bread, or monkey butt as he likes to call it.  Our complete Christmas breakfast consisted of: Grammy Na’s strata, bacon, sausage, pancakes and monkey bread.  It was a yummy morning.  :)

I laugh when I look at this picture, this was the year that everyone said they cut back.  We stayed true to that but from the looks of it some people weren’t telling the truth.  :)We couldn’t help but notice how messy the reindeer were.  Sheesh!We waited and waited for Spencer to show up so we could open our presents.  We told him to be at Nonnie’s house by 8:30 and for some reason he heard “after 9”.  Talk about pure torture for the kids…to sit there staring at all those presents.  We had to hurry because Caitlin had to be at work by 10.  She only had to work an hour, but she did really good in Christmas morning tips, $37 and some change.  Nicely done, Caitlin, nicely done.Up first, the Santa presents.  Hannah “knew it” when she opened up her Santa gift.  She sent him a letter in school asking for a toy walking puppy and look at that, that’s what he got her.Emerson was loving all the gifts to open.  She was trying to guess what was in the bag. :)Pillow Pets!!!Papa and Nonnie got them both pillow pets.  Quite possible one of the best things of the day.My mom got my dad a Wii.  To say he was surprised and happy would be an understatement.  He was one happy, happy camper!  Hannah got to take money to school and buy gifts from the holiday store.  She was so happy to give her gifts.  She put a lot of thought into each one.  She got her Daddy a keychain, because he’s always losing his keys.  The Worlds Greatest Dad keychain was a hit. :)Hannah wasn’t so sure what to think about this gift.  She’d been asking for a DS for a while, and when they went on sale after Christmas we swooped in and got one.  I think I actually saw a tear in her eye.  She was totally not expecting it. Probably because I’ve been yammering on about how expensive they were.  :)  Love those little surprises.  I may come to regret that decision sooner rather than later.  It’s already been in a few time outs.  :)After a while, Emerson kind of checked out.  She sat in front of the tree with her candy cane and just took it all in.  Madi showing Hannah how it works.Spencer and Brenda…awww….Brittany resting before opening her stocking.Tom doing what he loves….cooking bacon.  :)  I think he might have been taking a sample.We rented Just Dance 2 for the Wii, and we certainly had fun playing.  I loved Susie’s enthusiasm.  ;)My mom’s cousin Lisa was with us this Christmas and she brought over a treasure chest, full of jewels.  Emerson for some reason thought it was all hers.  She fell asleep guarding her treasure.More dancing.  Seriously a fun game.  We bought the first Just Dance, and I’m fairly certain that we’ll be heading to Target soon to get the second one.  It’s too fun!!  Hannah’s favorite song “girlfriend”.  I think she’s got the dance memorized.Susie sent me this picture shortly after we left.  Apparently the Wii was too much excitement for Papa Larry.  After all the craziness at my parents house we went home.  For the first time ever we didn’t have any place to be.  When Tom realized that he quickly decided that he wanted to cook his own Christmas dinner.  We had prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts.  The meat was a little rare for my liking but the rest of it was yummy. 

We did manage to get in some quality toy, puzzle and game time before dinner which is always good.  Tom and I both agreed that it was just a strange end to Christmas.  I think we’ll be happy to have our crazy Christmas schedule back next year.  :)

Christmas Eve

Before we headed out to my parents house for the Bielser Christmas Eve I tried to get a few pictures of the girls.  Looking at the pictures now, I’m slightly annoyed that I didn’t notice the wrinkles in their dresses. Oh well.  The girls love their Caitlin!We were missing a few this year, like we do every other year.  Katie and Landon were over the mountains in Cle Elum and John and Julie were with her family.  Even with them gone, it still seemed like a full house. 

Ethan, Heather and Jeff’s little guy, was the hit of the night.  He was SO cute.  Jeff’s mom, Karen came by for a little bit.  I think it was so she could play with this little guy.  ;)Jeff and Melissa had fun playing Guess Who, with a little “help” from Hannah. I know what I’m getting them next year.Rob and JakeMadi and our little monkey.  I’m not sure what it is about this picture but I absolutely LOVE it.The Obee kids, minus one.It’s really a shame that Uncle Dennis doesn’t like his grandson a little more.  Ha!  :) Poor Emerson only had a 30 minute nap today, when she crashed, she crashed hard.  Poor thing.  And for those of you keeping track, yes she still has her Moe, only at bed time.  It was a little traumatic for us all when we told her it was gone.  I think we’ve gone soft in our old age.  :)

The kids were all in bed asleep by 12:30 and I think I was out by 1.  I’m pretty sure I heard Santa on the roof shortly after that.

Emmie turns 3!!!

Emmie turned 3 on Wednesday.  I had to go work in Redmond and I had all sorts of Mommy guilt about it all day (well, the 6 short hours I was at work).  I came home from work and we quickly headed out to see Tangled.  Emmie has been asking to see it for a while now, so we figured her birthday was as good of time as any.  She was super excited.  It was by far one of the cutest movies I’ve seen.  I cannot wait for it to come out on video!  We all enjoyed it…even Tom.  If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it.  :)

I tell you, this girl kills me.  Her new smile and her unwillingness to look at the camera drives me bonkers. I think I need to re-think my picture approach with her.  :)After the movie we headed home for some cake, ice cream and presents.  I failed to get a picture of her with her friends Josiah and Alethia who came over for cake and ice cream.Emmie was excited for more presents and a new Pinkalicious book from her sister.”Really mom?  If you’re going to continue to take my picture, then I’ll continue to smile like this.”  I’m pretty sure that’s what she’s thinking.  :)A new Toy Story 3 book for her Tag Jr.We got her a Little Mermaid doll and holy smokes, was she excited.  :)One last picture for the night. 

Happy 3rd Birthday Emerson Grace!  WE LOVE YOU!

A Very Walker/Pohl Christmas

The Pohl’s came over last weekend for a quick visit.  They weren’t sure if they could stay until Tuesday (due to the pass) but Sunday night, the boss (Ed) gave them the ok to stay.  To say that I was happy would have been an understatement.  I got to go shopping with Jen and the girls on Monday.  I can’t remember the last time I went shopping with her.  Such a treat!  Monday night we celebrated Christmas with them.  We’ve never gotten to do that so it was just more icing on the cake of an already great day. 

Tom lost a bet with Grace over the Apple Cup.  Tom was certain his Cougars would pull off a win.  The bet was, Sugar Cookies for Tom if the Cougars won and all you can eat crab for Grace if the Huskies won.  I told Grace when they made the bet, that it really was a win-win for Tom, but she didn’t mind.  :)After several unsuccessful attempts to get a picture of the four of us, we managed to get one decent one.  But, this one is by far my favorite.  Kind of sums up our night.  :)We had hopes of getting a picture of all four kids, but Emerson wanted NOTHING to do with a group picture.  It seems that Hannah and Grace are always up for a photo op.  :)The Pohl kids.  :)

Such a fun extended weekend.  Loved every minute of it.  Thank you Pohl family for coming for a visit.  :)

Pinkalicious

Emmie had a very pink birthday last weekend.  She is in LOVE with the book Pinkalicious and when I asked her what kind of party she wanted, she insisted on pink!Cupcakes with cherries on top!

I decided the night before the party that I had nothing else better to do (HA!) so I sat down and got to work.  I’m going to have to re-do it because up close there are way too many flaws.  From a distance, I’m totally happy with the way it came out.  Now I just have to remember to bring it out on the girls’ birthdays.The birthday kids.  We celebrated Jake’s birthday along with Emmie’s.  Legos and Pinkalicious.  It was a diverse crowd. :)  Madi made Jake’s Lego cake.  Didn’t she do a great job?!Happy Happy Birthday to you!And you!Our neighbors came and Emmie was super excited to have her friends there.Jacob scored on the Lego’s.  He got enough kits to do one every day of Christmas break.I think the highlight of Emmie’s night was her new red Converse.  I’m not sure what it is about Converse, but she sure does love those shoes.

Tutu’s and Converse = Emmie’s perfect combo.  Hope you enjoyed your Pinkalicious party Emerson Grace!  We love you!