Christmas Morning

Waiting on the steps to go see and open their gifts.
They had just opened their new books that were left in their bed.


The excitement in their eyes and face as they see all their new toys.

Playing in the wrapping paper!

 

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve after we came back from church, we celebrated Jesus' Birthday with a small cake and we opened presents.  Alex and Aubrey thought it was great to have a birthday cake. They are the ones who insisted on wearing their birthday hats for the special occasion


After the cake, we opened their Christmas Eve gifts.


Here they are in their Christmas pajamas. (Thank you Aunt Kendra and Uncle Rob)


Just before we went to bed we set out cookies for Santa and some milk. We also added some oatmeal and raisins for the reindeer. This picture doesn't show it, but just before we went to bed, Alex insisted that the reindeer and Santa needed an apple or else they might get a tummy ache from eating too many cookies.
 

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

We Wish You a Merry Christmas,
We Wish You a Merry Christmas,
We Wish You a Merry Christmas,
...and a Happy New Year!



 

 

Best Christmas Gifts

Now that I have kids, sometimes the best Christmas gifts are those made by them. These are the beautiful Christmas tree towels that Alex and Aubrey made for us at preschool.

Christmas Songs

Here are Alex and Aubrey's rendition of Jingle Bells and Santa Claus is Coming to Town



Alex Singing from Neala n Dave on Vimeo.




Aubrey Singing Jingle Bells from Neala n Dave on Vimeo.


(Please ignore the quality of the video....it was just taken with my camera which doesn't have the best video quality.)

Dance Class

This fall, Alex and Aubrey took a "Little Dancer's" class at a local rec center. They really enjoyed it. Aubrey loved getting dressed up in her dance outfit. Their teacher was great and really patient with the kids. She made it fun for them.

Making Cookies

Dave's Mom helped us decorate some sugar cookies. Alex and Aubrey did most of the sprinkles and decorations. Dave's Mom and I had to move fast with the frosting to keep their attention, as you can see in the final results. Yes, they are edible...even if they aren't the most beautiful cookies.

Family Picture

After church on Sunday, we stopped at a local park and took some family pictures.

Story Time

Story Time with Nanny

Green Friday

On the day after Thanksgiving, we went with Dave's Mom to a local garden shop (among other places). Alex was fascinated by the train set up outside and Aubrey loved her arm painting.

Thanksgiving

We had Ghatool and her family over for Thanksgving. Ghatool watches Alex and Aubrey during the week. She and her family are wonderful and love Alex and Aubrey so much. We were glad that they were able to come over for Thanksgiving. Dave's Mom was also able to join us for Thanksgiving too. We were very thankgful to have everyone over.
(One of these years, I am going to remember to get my camera out while we are eating dinner. I always seem to forget.)

On of these years I will actually take pictures of us eating and sharing together, but maybe that time is just meant to be shared at the moment.

Fall Leaves

Ok, is it crazy for me to admit that I like to rake fall leaves.  Well at least once or maybe only once.  Then I like them to be all gone and my yard clean again.  I think Dave wants that too.  Most of the time he collects them with the lawn mower, but on Saturday, I suggested that the kids help us make a pile so they could play in it.  Alex and Aubrey are great workers and took their job of making a pile very seriously.

But after just a couple minutes, it was time to play.  They loved playing in the leaves.   There was even a pile of leaves at the bottom of the playground slide that they would slide into (for some reason, I don't have any pictures of that).   We can't wait to do it again next year. 

And, if all the leaves that fell after we raked and mowed on Saturday would miraculously disappear, that would be great too!