Christmas Part 2

Christmas started out really nice this year. Emily had asked Santa for a princess alarm clock and a cotton candy maker. Santa was happy to oblige the princess alarm clock, for which she was so excited that she didn't even ask for the cotton candy machine. Rylee recieved a little train that has a million buttons on it, she is happy to go backwards on it all day, (she can't figure out how to go forward). And Ally recieved girly blocks to play with. She absolutely loves to make towers and only had boyish colors to play with.

On Christmas day we went to my parents house from breakfast on. It was so relaxing and we were all having a great day, that is except for Allyson who got the stomach flu at 1:30 and was down and out the rest of the day. Then Rylee woke up with it Fri night/sat morning. And last but not least, Emily sat.night/sun morning. Luckily it was only a 5-8 hour bug. They literally went from sick one minute to totally fine.

In between all of that, we visited Mike's family in Dunnigan. It was a chaotic morning, not knowing if Rylee was going to be well enough to go but we made it there and had a really nice time. It was fun to get all of the cousins together. It was especially fun for Emily and her cousin Abby, who are about 3 months apart. I'm pretty sure we didn't see them the whole time.

All in all it was a great, relaxing Christmas. Em's winter break is going by way to fast. I think I've said it before, but I prefer having her home. It makes the day so much more relaxing not rushing to get ready and out the door.

Merry Christmas!

This has a been an unusual Christmas season for me. I got in the spirit super early and have never had that rush rush rush feel. I'm not sure why, as the girls and/or I were sick almost all of December so we didn't get a lot of the traditional stuff done. I think God must have given me an extra measure of peace because I was able to let it all roll off of me. We didn't get our family picture done this season and normally I would stress over that because I really like it done, but I figure we won't change that much if we have it done after the new year! So, don't expect that holiday letter from us, it won't be coming but maybe be looking for a new year's letter!

Since Friday, I have been doing a little Christmas catch up. Trying to squeeze in some holiday fun. Mike took off most of Tuesday and all of Wednesday. It was so nice to have him home, I love it. We had a lot of fun family time at home or just going around looking at lights.

I'll gave a brief explanation of each picture and try not to make it too long, that way you won't give up on this posting!

Emily at her Kindergarten Christmas party on Friday

Emily with her teacher, Ms. Maeder!

My dad and mom were kind enough to take the younger two so I could go to Em's school and watch them have their party. I was just getting over being sick so I didn't get to help plan or do anything but it was so much fun watching her at school. She is so good, and so respectful. I love watching what an amazing little girls she's turned into.

My mom wanted to do a Christmas program this year, (which was wonderful) and she wanted to include the kiddos. So she put together the music and scripture reading and my kind awesomly talented Aunt Leslie made all of the costumes herself and donated them to the church for further use. They all looked super cute.

And if I may brag for a second, Emily did the scripture reading and she memorized it and it was flawless on Sunday. She was so serious and did an amazing job. Mike used our camera to record it but accidently deleted it. We were disapppointed. So, since I was going to download it for you and can't, here's what she recited...

Matt. 2:1-2
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

The two most adorable angels you have ever seen !

Christmas Eve we finally made it to see Santa. It was about a 25-30 min wait. The whole time Ally is so excited. Then when we're about 2 families from the front, she starts to shake, then when we're next, she starts to cling to me and cry that she doesn't want to see him. Rylee is fine at this point, she's too young and there's a little puppy in line behind us that is licking her hand and she just thinks that's the funniest thing. Anyway, we start to move towards this super sweet santa and when we get in front of him, Ally lights up and wants to sit on his lap. After telling him what they want, he instructs me who to put where on his lap for a picture. As you can see in the picture, Emily is serene, Ally is holding it together (barely) and Rylee wants nothing to do with him. The only time she wasn't sobbing was when I would ask if she wanted a candy, she would wail "Yeah", look up at Santa like, "Are you giving me the candy? If so , hurry up already" and then start wailing again. I thought the picture turned out cute though.

Decorating Christmas cookies on Christmas eve. Em helped make the dough then wanted to watch a Christmas movie. Ally moved in and was really into cutting out the cookies with cookie cutters. Ally is much more my project girl.

Oh my gosh, look at the pile of sprinkles on that cookie! Only a 6 year old could enjoy that! She was quite proud though!

The girls before Christmas Eve service. I love Ally in this one!

Wait, are you kidding? We actually got a cute picture with all 3 looking nice and in the same direction at the same time?!! It must be a Christmas miracle!

Happy 6th Birthday Emily!

I took a trip down memory lane yesterday and found the pictures from Em's 1st birthday party. In some ways it seems so long ago and yet it feels like just the other day. I still remember her ripping into that cake that first year, it was such a special and fun night. One of Mike's co-workers back then gave her a leopared stuffed animal purse that she fondly calls "yellow kitty" and still sleeps with every night.

Now, she's a big six year old. Full of life, loves to learn, and has a lot of passion.

I also wanted to show pictures of Em's 2-5th birthday but can't seem to find year 2-4 pictures (so nana, send a few over if you can find them). The thing I love in all of those pictures is there is always one person at her side, opening gifts, singing happy birthday ect...Tessa. And it's so fun to see how much they've changed over the years. Tessa is definitly a loved and valued friend!

Anyway, I just wanted to tell her happy birthday and to share with you how much she's grown over the years. I'll post about her actual party another day.

P.S. I've been getting so many comments lately about how much Rylee looks like Ally, but I totally see a little Rylee in Em's one year birthday picture!

Just Wanted To Say Thank You...

Mike, I just wanted to say thank you for teaching our 16 mo. old how to climb the ladder to the top bunk, something she never even considered before you taught her. And double thank you for not teaching her to go down! It's her absolute favorite thing to do and if the ladder is down, she's on it. Luckily, she hasn't yet tried to come down without me.

Oh, and Mike, I know what you're doing next weekend...teaching Rylee how to safely come down. Love you!

Early this week I took the girls out front to ride their bikes as it was beautiful weather. Rylee came out with us and as usual was into everything, including other peoples garages. So I sent up Em to get the bag of Leggo blocks that are in the back of the closet because the girls never play with them. I figured since I never have them out maybe they would distract Rylee.

They didn't distract Rylee but they did distract Ally. She played with them for an hour and a half strait and has basically been playing with them a good portion of every day. It is the ultimate babysitter for me. Now I just have one child following me around. Ally builds towers up as high as she can until they fall, (or Rylee knocks it down), and then builds them back up all over again. She's getting much better at connecting them too. At first it didn't take to long to topple over but now she gets them almost as tall as her. And by the way, she's usually wearing a princess dress while she's building...gotta keep it girly ya know!

4th File 4th photo

This is the morning of Ally's second birthday.

For You Biggest Loser Fans Out There

http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/the-biggest-villain-on-biggest-loser--48

This story was on Yahoo about icky vicky being a villain on the biggest loser. It was great!

I have to wonder how here friends at home will view her now and if she'll ever be ashamed of her actions?