Christmas Day (Addison)

Addison had a very Merry Christmas as well!  She got a Barbie walking a dog and pushing a dog in a stroller from Santa.  She was so excited.   She also got a Hello Kitty house and a Barbie suitcase. 

Ready to open the rest of her gifts.  She got a baby doll from Lauren, some new fresh Play Doh from us.  She also got a new My Little Pony, some clothes, the Cootie Game, books, nail polish, and a Polly Pocket car. 

She also wanted Squinkies, so she got several and a Squinkie carnival also. 

We still can't believe how much the girls love this sled! 

Addison spent a lot of time playing with the Squinkie carnival. 

Zoe of course got one toy she could destroy in about 20 minutes.  We learned very early on not to get Zoe stuffed toys.  We also got her a new bone filled with peanut butter and a squeaky toy. 

Mark spent a lot of time putting toys together while I did come cleaning up after a wonderful Christmas morning.  I love Christmas morning and the excitement on the girl's face with all the wonderful presents we can provide for them.  We feel very blessed to be able to provide so much for this at this joyous time of year. 

One last shot playing the Wii, because we have played it a lot this week and we have had a ton of fun! 

Christmas Day (Lauren)

I felt like each of the girls deserved their own post on Christmas morning.  Again, journaling and scrap booking reasons mainly.  I recently just finished journaling Addison's 2010 Christmas.  Yes, I am that far behind! 

Lauren's beloved Fijit.  Some alien talking thing that she really wanted and she got from Santa.  She was so excited. 

Santa brought her the hula hoop, fijit, Barbie suitcase and a stocking full of goodies. 

Lauren was SO good on Christmas morning waiting patiently to open her presents.  If you look closely you can see the necklace that I called and told Santa to bring the girls.  It is a bottle cap with a peace sign and the letter L. 

Daddy loved his NE hat that I got him!

Addison picked out a Barbie and some Barbie clothes for Lauren. 

She also got lots of new clothes.  A sweatshirt, sweater and several long sleeve shirts.  Remember my "only wants to wear dresses girl?"  Well, not anymore.  Skirts and shirts.  And jeans on PE day.  So she needed more shirts. 

Hannah Montana?  No, just Lauren.  She wanted a real microphone and a Hannah Montana wig.  Isn't she cute? 

Just Dance 2 is what the daycare has and why Mark and I thought a Wii would be a great family gift.  Lauren is really good at several of the songs. 

Living the life on Christmas.  This sled and the suitcases were a hit.  We would have never thought that the girls would have so much fun with them.  Lauren also got some squinkies, Polly Pockets and a car, a peace sign purse, books, make-up and nail polish.  I think she had a very Merry Christmas.  Now, onto birthday planning!

Christmas Day (the Girls)

I love Christmas morning.  The girls slept until a little past 7 and were super excited to go downstairs to see what Santa had brought.  Of course I made monkey bread, as it has become our tradition to have it for breakfast. 

Lauren wanted a Fijit and a hula hoop.  Addison wanted a Barbie.  We also got them the Barbie suitcases which they love, more items for their dollhouse, some Hello Kitty Lego's for Addison, and of course the Wii.  It was the only wrapped gift from Santa.  Santa does not normally wrap gifts in our house.  He just drops them off and goes! 

The girls wanted Mark to open his gifts from them first (before any of their gifts.)  They both got him a t-shirt, NWMSU and a Cubs shirt.  I got him outdoor running gear so he could train for his 1/2 marathon in April.  I got him pants, long sleeve shirt, outerwear, a hat and gloves.  All dri fit and most of it from the Nike Outlet!

The girls went shopping at Charming Charlies and got me several necklaces.  Mark made me a calendar on Snapfish, some vanilla lotion, a travel coffee mug, Katie Perry CD, a couple of Nike sweatshirts and some running shorts.  Oh, and some new PJ pants.  And of course the camera lens (that I got in the mail a few weeks back and had to start using right away.) 

Addison especially loved her Squinkie carnival. 

Here the girls are ready to open the last few Santa gifts.  I saved the Wii to the very end.  I had Mark open a controler, and the girls and I opened a game.  Lauren quickly realized that the big box was the Wii. 

These suitcases and this sled from Santa has been a hit.  I can't believe how creative and how much fun the girls have had over the last several days with these items.  They have traveled to many places in the sled with their suitcases packed! 

We enjoyed playing the Wii Christmas night after dinner.  My parents and Grandma really seemed to enjoy watching the girls, and my Mom could not believe how good of a dancer Lauren is! 

Christmas Eve

Since I took 178 pictures in 3 days I have a lot to post and talk about. You know it will be months before I get this scrap booked and journaled, so this is the only way I can remember one year from now when I am scrap booking Christmas 2011!  Yes, I did take 178 pictures...

Christmas Eve day we always stay in our jammies.  We make a cake for Jesus and cookies for Santa.  I told the girls to smile and this was their pose.  I love it. 

Since Christmas Eve fell on a Saturday we were lucky to have Mark home with us all day.  He helped the girsl track Santa all day long, making his way across the world to our house.  He even downloaded the app to have on his phone so we could check the status of Santa after church and at Grandma's house. 

Chocolate cake, chocolate icing, and lots of sprinkles.  It was so yummy!

After naps we headed to Christmas Eve church.  Addison was so cooperative in letting me take her picture. 

Right now Lauren never gives me trouble.  The only thing she complained about was having to wear tights and her shiny black shoes. She wanted her comfy brown boots.  I don't blame her. 

Addison did not cooperate for long...so I got this picture of Lauren and Mark.  I love it. 

Addison is obsessed with this circus toy (from about 3 years ago.)  She thinks the eleplants name is Peggy, just like the elephant at the zoo.  Still a great picture, Peggy and all. 

Then we had fun with the self timer.  The girls think this is the best thing ever, and we can usually get a pretty good family picture! 

After church we headed to Grandma's house for dinner.  The girls got to open their Christmas Eve jammies from Zach (our elf on a shelf.)  My Grandma has made the same Christmas Eve dinner for as long as I can remember.  Brisket sandwiches, chips and dip, veggies, mac and cheese, deviled eggs, and banana jello salad.  It is always so yummy. 

The girls had fun with Nana and Gramps. 

The best picture of Claire, Sophie, Lauren and Addison. 

I think this one of Addison is so sweet.  Love that face and those big brown eyes. 

After we got home we put the cookies out for Santa. 

We also said good bye to Zach.  He needed a snack before heading back to the North Pole until next year. 

Then we all went to bed and waited for morning when the girls would wake up and see all the gifts from Santa! 

The Best Gift From Santa...

The girls love the Dance Wii game. 

We are still playing it today. 

More Christmas festivities tonight at Gramps and Nana's house.  Much more to come...