Best Pillow Ever!

 

Our time at the Cabin

Early morning risers.  The girls with their cousin Joey.

As if there weren't enough gifts yesterday, the girls got to open one more this morning.

I love breakfasts at the cabin.  Its always waffles or pancakes or something else equally yummy.

Coloring with Uncle Phil.

Playing out in the snow before going on a little hike.

She's getting so big!

 

Christmas Afternoon at the Cabin

After all the fun at home we packed the girls up and went off to the cabin to celebrate with Mike's family.

Look at all those presents!

Gigi and Grandpa Mike

We never get pictures of the two of us together!

Here we are trying to make sense of all the chaos and also trying to remember who gave who which present!

Abby's other favorite present was her very own digital camera.  She snapped so many pictures we were all blinded by flash lights by the end of the night!

 

All in all it was an awesome Christmas.  The girls had a blast and recieved all the presents they asked for.  Lissie got her bubble gum and chocolate for her milk and Abby got the dolls she asked for but was much happier with her scooter and camera.  What a fun time.

Presents with Granny and Papa

Granny and Papa came over for breakfast and after some very yummy Cinnabons and sausage we finally got around to opening presents!

  Every year we all go to one store with about a $10 limit per person and buy each other gifts all the while trying to make sure no one sees what we got them.  Its so much fun hiding from each other and trading off kiddos.  Its also so sweet to see the thought and care the girls put into picking out presents.
 Here is Lissie with the gift Abby bought her.

Every year I also try to make a gift for each of the girls.  Lissie doesn't look too pleased with her awfully big apron!  Hopefully I can get around to adjusting the size someday.

Abby got Daddy a Pepsi t-shirt which makes her laugh because we are a Coke family.

The girls helped me open my presents.  I was spoiled with sparkly earrings from Lissie and new PJs from Abby!

And what is Christmas without the usual picture of Daddy pretending to love his new expensive gift.  I do think he might actually keep this one though.

Abby got a very special surprise from Granny and Papa...a new scooter and the pads to go with it.

It was the hit of Christmas for her!

Lissie's special gift from Granny and Papa was a Cinderella CD player with a microphone.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of her with it but I do have plenty of video!  So far, we have all been spoiled rotten and the day is only half over!

Christmas Morning

As is tradition, we open stockings in Mommy and Daddy's room first thing in the morning on Christmas day.  This year all Lissie wanted was bubble gum and chocolate for her milk.  Here she is opening her huge bag of bubble gum.

Both girls got Ovaltine in their stockings for their morning milk.  Hopefully it lasts them thru Easter!

While waiting for Granny and Papa to arrive for breakfast we played our usual game of "where is baby Jesus hiding."  We hide the baby Jesus from the nativity and the girls have to hunt to find him.  We hope it helps them remember that we can't have Christmas without Jesus.  Lissie also convinced Daddy to paint her nails!

Ever my little artist, Abby broke out her new art kit from Granny and Papa.

I think Daddy did a pretty good job with those nails.  He even alternated the colors!

 

I love Christmas morning.  Its very relaxing and fun to just play with the girls before the present overload starts.

Christmas Eve at Granny and Papa's

We had our traditional Christmas eve dinner at Granny and Papa's tonight including roast beef tenderloin, roast potatoes, burnt carrots and even some Bearnaise sauce for Mike.  Its his favorite.  I love this picture of Daddy and Mike stirring the sauces!

The girls got special treats as well...sparkling cider in their very own wine glasses.

 I think Abby is happy.  I swear its sparkling cider!

We always have crackers on the table and Abby is scared of the bang!  Isn't she adorable?!

I'm biased but I think we make an adorable family!

Of course, after dinner Grandpa Claus came down the stairs with giant bags full of toys and treats.  We are sooo spoiled!

Decorating Cookies

The girls and I made cut out sugar cookies a while ago and today we finally decided to decorate them.

Abby took the job very seriously and did a fabulous job.

Lissie really enjoyed it and worked hard at making the perfect cookies.

Abby spreading her frosting.  Look at that concentration!

Of course, Lissie eventually gave up and decided that eating the frosting was more fun than decorating the cookies.

My beautiful girl is very proud of her cookie creations.

I just LOVE that smile of Lissie's.  Its a combination of pride and pure naughtiness!

Later that evening we took the girls to the Winter Wonderland at a place called Wildlife Experience.  They got to see Santa's reindeer, take a walk through his workshop and of course,

see Santa himself. 

It was a great evening and we finished it off with the cartoon version of How The Grinch Stole Christmas on a huge screen.  I love Christmastime.

Christmas Manicures

Today we had a friend over and the girls all got manicures. We tried to make it as spa like as possible with bowls of warm soapy water, towels, lotion and lots of choices of colors. The girls had a blast.

Abby chose a dark pink color. Maddie picked a lighter pink. Of course, all the girls had to have sparkles over the top!  It was a great time although I think I will have to remember to use a blow dryer to help speed up the drying process. Little girls aren't very patient!

More Christmastime Fun...

This morning, Granny came over to help the girls make gingerbread houses. Its one of Abby's favorite Christmas activities.

She's getting really good at using a piping bag and putting on all of her decorations. She had very little help with this masterpiece.

Lissie's favorite part of decorating is eating the frosting and all of the candy pieces. I think she takes after her daddy with her sweet tooth.

She did eventually get some decorating done.

Abby with her finished product. Isn't she adorable?!

Later that evening we went with Granny and Papa, Craig and Barbie to the lights at Chatfield. The lights were nothing to write home about but the girls really enjoyed seeing Santa!

One of the trees all lit up.

It was so cold tonight that we decided to stop and get a late dinner at the closest place, Village Inn. The girls LOVE their pancakes.

Abby really likes when she can have breakfast for dinner!

It was a super fun day today. The girls should sleep really well tonight!