Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus!

Wow, Mom and I have been talking a lot this year about Christmas and that we celebrate Jesus' Birthday this time of year. Boy is it fun!!!!!!!!!!!! We had a great Christmas this year with lots of time to relax and spend with family (Poppa Gene and Nanny D are in the previous post). Nanny is home from hurting her leg and we all got to celebrate with her yesterday, and eat lots of the best food!!! Here I am with Nan conning her into another piece of candy ;)

When we got home from Nanny's, it was time to put our the reindeer food (so they know just where to stop). My Mom helped with this magical oatmeal and glitter mix for them.

Then we went over to Gigi's for a late dinner, and I got to take a bath in her big ole' fancy tub and get my special Christmas jammies on.

I think that all the grown-ups played a fun gift game where you steal whatever gift you like, or something like that.

Once I was safely tucked in bed, Santa came to my house!!!! He knew exactly what I would love- a kitchen!!!!!

This is Daddy, Britton, and Holly trying to check and see if anyone caught Santa on tape.

Look! Santa came to MY HOUSE!!!!

We had to stop and celebrate with a tea party

My Daddy got me one of my favorite gifts- a guitar to play just like him!

Just a little snack to tide me over until Gigi and Granddaddy have brunch ready. I don't really know what "brunch" is, but I am excited about it either way!!!

Oh wow!!! There is a baby high chair and cradle under the tree!!!!

My Dad says that toy manufacturers are ruining Christmas for kids everywhere by making toys too hard to open. I did NOT like having to wait for 15 minutes just to get the baby doll out.

Everyone thought I was really funny because I sat down on the baby doll's potty and said "tee tee". So they let me try out the big girl potty a few times this morning and I liked sitting on it. Not quite sure what everyone was cheering for, but I am sure I will figure it out when I am ready.

I love my Gigi!

This afternoon was so much fun- we just ate and hung out at the house playing with all of our new toys. Here Mom and I are having another tea party.

We are blessed beyond our wildest dreams this Christmas and going to bed with very thankful hearts. As my new favorite book says...
"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!!!"

Merry Christmas Eve Eve

Supper Club Saturday Night Group Picture
Then Sunday, Ashley hosted a Gingerbread House Decorating Party. What fun! I can say it was a first for Sydney and I because I have never decorated one. It was a great party- thanks Ash!!!

We used McDonald's Happy Meal Houses, graham crackers and icing

Emma working really hard on her beautiful house

Sydney mostly wanted to eat the decorations ;) which is fun too!

Elli working so hard on her house

Sydney finally got smart and used the twizlers to scrap the icing off to eat instead of decorate.

Playing in the girls really fun Rose Cottage. Hum... 2nd Birthday idea?

Then Monday morning, Aunt Erin had Sydney and I in our PJ's over for breakfast (she even bought Cracker Barrel pancake mix). Then Sydney got to open a gift- ELMO!!!!!!

I would say it was a hit- what do you think? (It sings the ABC's and is really soft)

Last night we went to eat with my dad and step mom and Uncle John. It was a great meal and then it was present time. It was so funny, Sydney literally tore just the top of the paper off and screamed out "ELMO!!!!" This is the Elmo Live that does 30 or so different things and she loves it!

Nanny D and Poppa Gene spoil Sydney rotten and she is crazy about both of them.

Playing Gran Jan's piano, where I learned first took lessons.

We are looking forward to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!!!!!!

Rockettes!!!!

Several of my friends from work and I had the wonderful opportunity to see the Radio City Rockettes show this afternoon! It sincerely was AMAZING and I wanted to stay and see it again at 7:00. We actually got moved up to the 10th row because ticket sales for the show weren't sold out and the seats were perfect. What a blessing!! I lost count on their 8th costume change, plus Santa and a whole cast with them. I don't think Sydney would have been able to sit through the 1 1/2 hour show this year, but I will certainly buy tickets again for us both next year (if they come back!) I couldn't help but take tons of pictures- but they don't do the show or costumes justice. Hope you enjoy them!

The famous toy soldiers- Shout Out to the EEE Tiger Tunes '98 Champions!!!

Oh, and the stage even had a small ice rink on it!

What a wonderful ending- they read the Christmas story from Luke and then had a beautiful Nativity scene.

Can't stop listening to...

Casting Crowns latest CD Peace on Earth. It is so good and there are several excellent tracks. I can't stop listening to "While You Were Sleeping". Here are a few lines...

Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history

as a city with no room for a King...

While you were sleeping

United States of America, looks like another silent night

While we're sound asleep with philosophies

like save the trees but kill the children...

Will we go down as a nation with no room for its King?

While you were sleeping

Christmas Dinner at Erins- yum!!! Thank you!

My week in review/Breakfast with Santa

Sorry Santa, but I was a little scared that my Mommy was going to leave me alone with you. Every time I see your picture I say "Ho Ho Ho" and maybe next year we can pose for a better picture. Sunday afternoon we made some oatmeal butterscotch cookies for my Nanny. She is still in the hospital, but she is really tough and is letting the PT folks get her up and practice walking and everything! Thanks for praying for her safety and recovery.
This was my first time to get to make cookies with Mom and I made a huge mess and had a great time. Good thing Aunt Erin made me a big girl apron!
I tried to call the North Pole to apologize for the drama at Breakfast with Santa, but I couldn't get through. Dad said he will pass along the message.

Stevie and I got to jump in a bounce house at Jump Zone for Brooks 4th birthday. I gotta get one of these!!!

Aunt Erin helped organize this years Breakfast with Santa and I helped her work the check in desk a little. She is trying to keep me warm here. If you kids out there need a great place to visit with Santa, eat breakfast with LR firefighters, and do several other crafts, I highly recommend the Children's Hospital Breakfast with Santa next year.

Poppa Gene and Nanny D came over last week to help my Mom set up the snow village and eat some pizza. I needed to wear my sunglasses in the picture because my future is so bright ;)

Say "cheese" Daddy!

And this is Gigi and I coloring a picture for Granddaddy's office. He made me some yummy barbecue last week and needed a thank you. Whew! We have been busy!