Christmas Day

Christmas day was fun.  Kaelin woke at about 7 and crawled in our bed to tell us the Christmas Story (I need to video tape it - but of course the camera was dead!). Hailey woke at about 7:30.

'Reading' the recordable Hallmark books from my parents.

Tons of new costumes, dress up and wigs!

Kaelin's Fancy mirror.  She loves it!

 

After a TON of presents and fun, I set to making about 80 cake balls, and about 4 dozen peppermint meltaways for the next day.

BTW  Justin and I decided to NOT exchange gifts this year.  He however did not honor that agreement.  I woke to UGGs, new tennis shoes, and 2 gift cards (Barnes and Nobles and McDonald's - I do love my sweet tea :) ).  I am so blessed, and yes, I have gotten over my fear of wearing my new UGGs outside.  I love them - they are soooo warm and comfy.

We also learned that the new product MOON DOUGH is a NIGHTMARE!  It gets everywhere!  We will stick to Playdough in our house.  Between Justin and I, I think we swept the floor at least 5 times on Christmas day!

After the girl's naps we visited with the entire Theodore family (our brother in laws family) for a bit.  Then we came home for a chat on the computer with my family.

It was a great day all around!

Christmas Eve - Magee's/Callahan's

Christmas Eve we headed into Grove City.  First we had lunch at Tom and Barb's. Then we had dinner at Cindy and Keith's.

The kids had a TON of fun!

Magee's

Hailey torturing Boo.  She loves kitties.

Uncle Jasey bought Hailey 2 highchairs - so she would have the right size chair for each doll :).

Papa's popcorn machine is always a hit. 

Uncle Jasey and Kaelin taking a rest.

 Papa entertaining the kiddo's with Ring around the Rosie.

Papa reading a story to Kaelin.

On the drive from Tom and Barb's to Cindy and Keith's we saw a 'reindeer' (Deer) according to Kaelin.  We had to stop and take a picture :).

Callahan's

Jecca got the girls hooded towels.  Amy said they were bees. They aren't, they are flowers!

Complete destruction :) 

 Highchair #2 :)

Uncle Chris humored the kids (all of them!) with a pony ride.

All three cousins in matching pj's! This is the best I could get.

Uncle Jasey's turn.  Not sure I like Kaelin's face in this picture!

Our girls are so spoiled (loved :) )

Hailey's pile

 Kaelin's pile

Christmas EVE prep

Christmas Eve was busy, but we did take time to prepare for Christmas day.  The girls set out deer food on our front yard (supplied by Kaelin's school) - it consisted of Cheerios, oatmeal, and raisins.

That night Santa visited depositing even more presents under the tree, filling stockings, and visiting our cookie plate :).

Cousin Gift Exchange/Luciano's Birthday Cake

The Thursday before Christmas, we let the cousins (Dominic, Kaelin and Hailey) exchange gifts.  We let them open their gifts early every year because we don't want to haul them to PA and back for the family Christmas celebrations.  The kids were excited of course and all of them loved their presents.

We followed gift time up with our first of 3 roadtrips (in 4 days) to Grove City, PA.  That night we drove in for a second cousins 7th birthday celebration.  Happy Birthday Luciano!  I tired to get a picture of all the kids eating cake, I think only one kid is missing---the birthday boy!!

 

K's New Room

Kaelin received a room makeover for Christmas this year.  It was a joint effort by Jecca (and Chris) and I (and Justin).  We were able to purchase a FANCY NANCY bedding set w/ curtains and pillows at a great discount.  Then Jecca and I stayed up WAY too late a few weeks ago creating our own memo board to match :).  We also used her mat cutter to custom frame all 4 of Kaelin's Fancy Nancy book covers and then decorated them with fur and beads.  At first Kaelin wasn't thrilled on Christmas morning (because she didn't get the Rapunzel tower she had wanted).  I reminded her that she had asked for new bedding and proceeded to decorate her room, by the time it was done she was excited! Now she wants to show anyone who comes over her new room!

Disney On Ice: Princess Wishes

On December 19th the girls (Kaelin, Hailey and I, Jecca and our neighbors: Theresa and Abby) went to Disney on Ice.  I think all the girls had fun.  This was Haeily's first Disney On Ice, she was pretty impressed at first, but quickly became entranced by Tinkerbell (surprise :) ).  Unfortunately, Tinkerbell is not a princess, and was only a transition character.  She would get SO excited every time she came out.

I was smarter this time and brought along wands from the circus and our princess wands so the kids would not beg me for $20 Disney wands.  Surprisingly, it worked!