Christmas at Home

 Lydia heard Santa's reindeer on the rooftop, so we went downstairs, and we found presents under the tree.

 first present

 Haha! Love this one.

 Everyone getting into it

 Yay!

 Medical kit for Lydia

Big finish: Princess, Ballerina & Fairy. The trifecta!

Lydia's been busy playing ever since :)

God blesses us with everything we need and more!

A white Christmas too!

Early Christmas

Lydia's the ultimate helper when it comes to opening presents.

This Saturday we went to see Great Grandma Doris, and Aunt Lisa, Uncle Dave, Jake & Anna too! They got to meet Abigail for the first time.    

Lydia and Abigail each got a good book, Great Grandma's signature gift.

Still working on standing on her own!

Have you been good?

Banging for more pancakes at the Oak Creek Breakfast with Santa in time with the guitar duet.

Community Center Santa didn't thrill the kids, but overall it was a nice program.

I think I can confidently say she was my favorite gift this year.

Sarah & Matt took Lydia to a kid's Christmas concert, and afterwards Lydia talked to Santa.

Likes: Walking with walker!

In addition to learning to walk, Abigail likes her sippy cup of water, eating real food, getting into whatever Lydia's doing, music and lights, banging and clapping, and climbing stairs. She dislikes baby food, sleeping through the night, and manicures & pedicures. Hopefully her attitude towards sleeping through the night will change soon. And for the mani-pedis, at least with Lydia it didn't take long for them to be at the top of her "likes" list!

Sugar & Spice & Everything Silly

 

Lydia loves to decorate. Last week she "decorated" the table for dinner with Christmas boxes and play food. Then I found that she swapped my Christmas door knob hangings. I guess she thought it looked better that way. I did my best at letting Dad and Lydia decorate the gingerbread house without my input or guidance. I watched Lydia carefully put over-sized candy on the gingerbread man. Of course his weight couldn't support it even with a gummy spearmint support, and we later had to swap them for smaller candies. 

Lydia only stole one candy for her mouth, much improved from last year! But don't be fooled, she still loves candy. In fact, when we talked about the Advent wreath and what she Hoped for, she replied, candy. Ha! Not sure how I was surprised by that. And so, the next day we gave her, yup, candy...

 A silly start to the day, then off to Pleasant Prairie to the Jelly Belly warehouse.

We got a train ride tour and funny hats.

Lydia was amazed with all the colors and decorations to look at.

 On the drive back, I gave Lydia jelly bean paper and crayons. She tells us she drew five princess castles because her princess needs lots of castles.
That made us chuckle. I don't see them either.

And a cute pic of Abigail eating pureed Jelly Bellys, green been flavored. 

Just kidding!

Happy Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving, we went to Aunt Sue's in IN for a traditional turkey dinner. Uncle Tom and Katie made turkey hats with Lydia, then John wore one too. All the other relatives were apparently too cool. But don't they look CUTE?!

The next day we went to Sheboygan and caught most of the relatives there including 3 month Nora and 6 wk Carly. Here Great Grandma's holding Abigail. We put up Grandma Linda's Christmas tree, and then that evening Uncle Steve and Aunt Pat took us all out for their 35th wedding anniversary! Congrats to them!

Holiday Parade

 Milwaukee Holiday Parade 2012

 Went out to meet Sarah & Matt. It was a warm (50s) and sunny morning.

 Thick crowds, but not on the bridge. We found first row access and Lydia had the best view of all on Daddy's shoulders. She was excited for the parade, but then wouldn't show it.

 Abigail was good throughout, but gives Sarah

 

and Uncle Tom the skeptical look for not being Mommy. 

Surprise!

My Uncle Tom amazingly spotted us in the crowd not knowing we were there. He was out to see John marching with his trumpet.

 

The bands were out with their garland covered trombones

 

and energetic dance moves. I tell ya, my high school band certainly never moved like that!

 The next exciting thing happened when we all thought the street sign was going to pop Rudolf!

 But then he gracefully rounded it

 and continued to glide through the air as he does so well every Christmas Eve.

Then, of course, I spotted my cousin John marching just in time to see the back of his head, so no picture. Tom ran off to get a picture, so we said, "See you at Thanksgiving," and then Santa came 

 as this elf announced and whistled as he did tricks.

Santa. How disappointing he was. He had the deepest, most dismal sounding voice. 

Lydia didn't even get excited.

 

 Here's my turkey coming to get you.

 

And my favorite gummy smile in the world.