Happy Christmas 2011

We had a very low key family Christmas this year, we didn't even leave the house!  We opened presents and played all day (except for naps!)...

Julia loved her gifts from Santa especially her new pink house, she climbed in and said, "Santa bring it to me!"  Of course she needed a pink phone to go with her pink house. 

Jack asked for a train and a helicopter from Santa.  He played with his new train for most of the day!

We do not usually have problems sharing, but this new gear toy caused some commotion...

...after a bit of settling down they played with it together and I bet they sat like this for 30 minutes (it would have been a really good picture if they would have cooperated and looked at the camera for me, but no such luck!).

Finally Jack decided he would play with his "big boy" gears (I think this is Jason's favorite toy!)...

After naps Daddy and Jack built this huge windmill and they were so proud of their creation!

Julia back in the house and she is now adorned with all of her new jewels (minus the bracelets!).  Julia LOVES her new orange shirt, she started taking clothes off this morning as soon as she opened the package!

The most important reason for today's celebrations...

Happy Birthday Jesus!  

Jack & Julia took turns blowing out the candle!

It's a Skype Kind of Christmas...

On Christmas Eve Jack & Julia opened their presents with Aunt Anne via Skype...

They are really getting the hang of Skype and love making calls!

As for the matching pajamas...Julia LOVES to wear anything that was Jack's and it happens that Jack had some of the same pj's in sizes 2t and 3t.  I just have to make sure to read the tags carefully when taking care of the laundry ;)

Julia LOVES Hello Kitty and Aunt Anne set her up with new jewelry, pj's and a cute shirt!  Jack must have torn though his gift so fast that I didn't get a picture, but he loves his new Tag (mom just need to get it set up!).

We're Going on a Gnome Hunt!

It's Christmas Eve and we went on a Gnome Hunt at Morton Arboretum!  We found them all and it was super fun and only a tiny bit chilly (it was 36 degrees and sunny and we were bundled up!)...

Preschool Christmas Party!

I was lucky to get to be a helper at Jack's party today!  They had a special snack (fruit bars and oreos!), made a super cute Christmas tree, and had a sing-a-long for all of the parents (Daddy & Julia joined us)...

Jack loved his snack and he was the last one at the table...

Here is the special surprise for the parents that they had been working on for the last few classes...

Madeline...No it's Julia!

We have been telling Miss Julia that she looks like Madeline when she wears her red hat and jacket and she kindly reminds us, "No I'm Julia!"

Santa at the Clubhouse

Jack has been so excited to see Santa and the day finally arrived!  Santa made a stop at our clubhouse this afternoon and Jack couldn't wait to tell him about the helicopter and train that he would like for Christmas...

Julia was excited to see Santa too...until the time arrived and then she didn't want anything to do with him!  Julia would also like a helicopter for Christmas (only because Jack does!), but I am not sure that she got close enough to tell him!

The cookies were yummy too...

They both briefly humored me with a few photos outside the clubhouse...

Gingerbread Houses

A cookie party yesterday and a house party today!  It's a good thing that I read the gingerbread house instructions yesterday...the houses take at least three hours to set before you begin decorating.  This was our first attempt at decorating gingerbread houses and it was super fun!

Jack enjoyed sampling all of the candies, so it was a good thing that we ate dinner before we started decorating!  

Daddy, Jack and Julia decorating...

Jack and Brady posing with our complete masterpieces...

Super fun and not too bad for our first time!

Cookie Decorating!

We had a fun gingerbread party at our house this morning with six preschoolers and little Miss Julia!  It was a little crazy, so I didn't get tons of (good) pictures. 

Here is Jack's cookie - he didn't want to use the candy on his cookie, he just wanted to eat it!  That's ok...everyone else loaded up their cookies with candies!

Julia loved playing cars with the boys!  Jack was still sitting at the table trying to finish off the candies before his mom took them away ;)

A new experience...

We had our first visit with a photographer and it ended up being super fun!  The kids both loved Chrissi and she made our Christmas card photo taking a lot less painful.  It's amazing how willingly they looked at the camera and smiled (that never happens when I have the camera!).  

These are just a few of the previews...

I'm Stuck!

It's all fun and games until Julia starts yelling...."I'm stuck!"

 It's funny how much longer they will play with a toy (or toys in the above pictures) while sitting in a box or basket!

Julia Goes to the Library...

We made our first trip to the Naperville library and Julia and I had so much fun exploring (just the two of us while Jack was in preschool!).  Julia even got her first library card!

Red & Black Skirt!

This skirt looks even cuter on, but my little model insisted on Elmo pajama bottoms and a blue and red stripped shirt to go with it...

Let's just say that this outfit did nothing for the skirt!

December?!

Today is the first day of December and after lunch today we took a few pictures, raked a few leaves and went for a bike ride...I only wish the weather would stay like this!

Julia is modeling her pink knit camo ruffle pants!

Santa are you reading this?

Just in case Santa is reading our blog...Jack really wants this helicopter for Christmas :)  We were shopping for the giving tree at Jack's school and he spotted this helicopter.  I think it's the first time that we have gone to the store that he has really wanted something (or even asked to buy it!), but there was not an issue when it was mentioned that maybe he should remember this toy when he visits Santa.  We did have to take a picture just in case Santa wasn't sure which helicopter it was and if Santa doesn't have any available in his toyshop he should check out Meijer!

Miss J and the new wreath for the front door!

Red and White (Lights!)

Jack and Daddy spent the entire day yesterday putting lights in our tree out front!  I am not sure that Jason realized what a big project it actually was!  Our street was assigned red and white lights for the front trees and I think the tree was a little bit taller than Jason realized, but he amazingly got them pretty high (I will have to take a picture in the dark!).  We have never lived in a subdivision that is so organized (even holiday decorating!) and with so many trees!

Cheese & George

Where did this cheesy grin come from?

Julia opened some early Christmas presents and he got a new high chair for Bitty Baby, but since BB was in IL she made do with George...looks like feeding him is serious business!