Be Careful What You Wish For

Mike always wanted Alli to growl...

Christmas 2008

We had a great Christmas this year!  The kids got tons of presents and we spent time with most of our family.  There were some family members and close friends missing.  Alli was actually quite good at unwrapping her presents.  I thought for sure we would have to wait until next year to see her rip through the paper.  When Paige got sick of waiting she would "help" Alli unwrap the rest.

We were all tired at the end of the day.  I unfortunately had to go to work and brave the blizzard.  I did get to see fireworks at work though.  Explosions are the same as fireworks, right?

Paige's Christmas Program

On Friday Paige had her yearly Christmas Program.  Each grade sang a couple of songs.  You did great Paigey; we love you!

Zoo Lights

We braved the cold and took the kids to Zoo Lights on the 16th.  It was very cold! My car thermostat said 17 degrees.  Rylee, Logan, and Paige had a blast.  They even took a spin on the new carousel.  Alli was a trooper; she was bundled up like the kid on the Christmas Story.  She could barely bend at the waist to sit in her stroller.  Poor kid! I think she actually enjoyed looking at the lights.  This is starting to be a tradition for us.  Its fun and the kids get to wear really cool glasses and it makes it look like there are snowmen everywhere.

Paige and Alli visit Santa

Today we went and stood in line for well over an hour so the kids could visit and get pictures with Santa.  What an adventure!  Luckily Alli is young enough; she did really well!  No freak out moments.  They were both surprisingly patient through the wait.  Mike was also patient which was nice, the poor guy worked a grave shift last night at Kennecott.  Waiting in that line with all the screaming kids and no sleep had to be a challenge.  Paige told Santa she wanted a special journal. She told him she thought Alli would want a soft cuddly cat. 

Christmas is almost here

Yesterday we went to my mom and dad's house and made cookies and gingerbread houses.  They turned out really cute. Unfortunately I was so tired from working a grave shift that I didn't think to put the gingerbread house up higher than our coffee table.  Apparently Abby likes frosting and candy. Luckily, I got to her before she ate the whole thing.  She managed to lick off some of the icing and a few of the candies.

Mike is out of town and had to miss it this year.  He is in Chicago for work.  I was really bummed that he wasn't there.  We miss you honey!

Today we woke up to snow.  The girls dressed up really warm and went outside for about five minutes.  They looked adorable.

You want me to eat what??

Alli had her first experience with solid foods on December 1st.  She wasn't sure what to think, but seemed interested and didn't totally reject it.  I guess that's a good thing.  I can't imagine that rice cereal tastes very good, but she humored us anyways. I added a video;  I love to see how she lights up for her daddy.  She is a daddy's girl all the way!