Christmas with Mimi

Mimi modeling the dress-up crown.
The cousins trying out Austin's Uno Flash!

Reagan couldn't wait for Daddy to get that storller built!

Cute girls.

It all started out so nice and neat.

Addison has worn this everyday since.

Somebody should tell Barbie that horseback riding sans clothes is a bad idea!

What a good little Mommy.

During Mimi's visit last weekend, we celebrated Christmas with her and Austin. Austin was barley off the plane before he was asking to open presents, but we managed to hold him off until Friday night. The girls couldn't be more thrilled with their gifts. Reagan loves her baby doll and Addison loves her horses. They got several new dress-up outfits....Tommy commented yesterday that he hadn't seen Addison without wings in weeks. Finally, Mimi gave them each a box of art supplies. We have been working on crafts since!

Addison's Christmas Party

Addison had her Christmas party at school yesterday. Tommy and I loved going to see her sing songs and perform with her friends. They did a great job singing about Jesus and Christmas. Addison gave quite the performance! They had cupcakes that said "Happy Birthday Jesus" and they decorated gingerbread men. Finally she gave us a present she had been working hard on. Addison was so excited to have us there and she made me laugh within minutes of arriving when she said, "Mom, do you mind if I eat of lot of candy today? Because, we have alot of candy here!"

Somehow in my rush to get out of the house, and leave Reagan with a neighbor, I forgot my camera! Thank goodness for Blackberry's. It may not take great pictures, but at least I have something!

Also, just to note, so I remember. Addison absolutley LOVES her Christmas outfit this year. She would wear this entire outfit....furry sweater, tights, boots and all every single day if I would let her!!!!

Scratch That

Forget about the 21 degrees I had anticipated. The temperature at the top of my MSN headline says 1 degree! Holy cow it is COLD!!! We were out bright and early for my 24 week dr's appointment and then again to take Addison to school. Hopefully after we pick her up we can stay inside! It hurts to breath out there!

Also, you know what is nice to have during cold weather??? Hot water, that is what! Saturday night, in the midst of the cold our hot-water-heater went out! Not even a drop of warm water....just freezing, ice-cold water from all the faucets. Thankfully a plumber was able to make a minor repair on a switch yesterday and we can shower again!!!

Eight....

That is how many degrees B-E-L-O-W zero it is here right now! I don't think I have ever experienced a level of cold anywhere close to that. Actually, I still wouldn't say I have actually experienced it, since I stayed indoors all day! Tomorrow's high is 21degrees....a nice warm day!

Austin Meets the Snow!

And he loved it!!! We picked Mimi and Austin up at the airport in Colorado Springs and he was excited about every little pile of snow he found. He was really thrilled when he got to our house and found what was left of the 8 or so inches of snow we got on Tuesday. They had a great time sledding, throwing snowballs and building snowmen. Hopefully he will get to see a snowstorm before he goes home.

Reagan's Fun

Reagan's personality keeps us constantly entertained. She runs around here doing her own thing, without much concern as to what the rest of us might be doing. She recently learned to sing several verses of "Frosty the Snowman", which is just precious! Tonight she pointed to a nativity scene that Addison had made that was hanging on the fridge and told me, "Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus", pretty impressive, I thought for 20 months old. She had a babysitter on Sunday who was quite impressed with all her words!

A few weeks ago we drug in all the decorations and set about to decorating the Christmas tree. Reagan hung a few ornaments, and then she was done! A few minutes after we started she heard the neighbor's remote control car outside. She absolutley LOVES that thing, so she took off to the back patio to watch it. Tommy got great pictures of her expressions as she watched the car zooming around.

Finally, when we got her back inside, she spent the rest of her time climbing the storage bins that we pulled the decorations out of....anything to keep her feet off the ground. She keeps us laughing and keeps us on our toes. We have so much fun with her!

Winter Wonderlights and Weekend

Friday night we took the girls to a Christmas event in town called Winter Wonderlights. We had a great time, walking through the light show, making crafts, seeing live reindeer, watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on their IMAX Theatre and visiting Santa. It was such a fun night out. Our favorite part was seeing The Grinch. Addison has been looking forward to that for weeks, since we have been reading the book. Reagan loved it too, as long as she had popcorn. Both girls met Santa and Mrs. Claus. They even had an elf outside performing magic for the kids waiting in line.

On Saturday morning, the girls hung out with Tommy, while I finished our Christmas shopping and ran a few errands. It was so nice to get all that done, without my little "helpers" in tow. I came home just in time to get us all packed up for a neighbors birthday party at "Monkey Business"! They had a great time climbing all the play structures and playing with friends.

Finally, today, we had a baby-sitter coming for the 2ND time since we moved to Colorado. Tommy had to go to the Broncos game and I have been waiting for the chance to come along. We took the lite-rail train downtown to the game. We sat in the suite and had a great time. It was great for me to visit with friends, have adult conversation, and just hang out for awhile. I didn't pay much attention to the game....but the Broncos won! Play-offs here we come.

Santa, Who needs him?

Last night, the girls and I were driving in the car, listening to a Christmas CD. The song, "Here Comes Santa Claus" came on, and it was the first time the girls have heard it. After the song was over, I asked Addison if Santa would be writing "naughty" or "nice" by her name. She was very thoughtful and said she didn't know. Remember she is the first-born, perfectionist, eager- to- please personality, so her mind probably filled with memories of each and every time she has ever been in trouble....which isn't that often! She finally told me she didn't' know.

Then, a few minutes later, being the eternal optimist (just like her mommy). She says, "That's okay Mommy, we have our own presents, we don't need any from Santa!". I love it! She finds the good in any situation.

PS.....I am not actually organized enough to have any presents purchased and wrapped under my tree, but my mom sent the girls presents home with us last week. That is why she says we already have our own.

Fun Family Photos from Texas!

Snuggling with Glen during our stop in Vernon.
Everyone is at least looking at the camera....too much to ask for smiles too!

Reagan did lots of sleeping on the go...that is how tired she was!

Mimi and all the grandkids shopping at the mall.

Addison giving Austin a big hug.

Reagan walking with Uncle Steve.

Snuggling with our big girl.

Snuggling with my little girl.

Addison reading with Pampa.

Pappy and the grandkids climbing the hay bales. Addison later fell all the way off these hay bales, and about 6 feet to the concrete barn floor, when the cat scared her.

The Polar Express

They loved thier candy at dinner more than anything else the whole day!!!
Addison gave Santa a huge hug!

The Daddy's riding the train in peace and quiet!

Here is the seat with the Mommy's!

Gazing into each other's eyes!

We are no longer impressed by a little artificial snow!

Look, Sherry and I got to talk and catch up....with all 4 kids in our laps!

On the Friday after Thanksgiving Sherry and David drove up with the boys to meet us for the day. Addison has really missed them lately and talks about Sam often. We were so happy for a chance to be together. You know how great friendships are when you see each other after 6 months and feel like you haven't been apart at all.

The kids were all a little out of sorts. Mine were on day 7 of our Tour of Texas and hadn't had a normal sleep schedule in 8 days and Sherry's had just been in the car for 4 hours. But, we had a great time anyway! The train was fun and they had a cute little sing-along before hand. Of course, Addison sang something in the microphone when the presenters came by and she went up on the stage to sing a song with all the other kids.....she is definitely my girl!

After the train ride we headed to Going Bonkers to get warm and dry. They had fun on the playground and playing games. Then we went to dinner. It was too sad to say good-bye, so we really didn't! Just quick hugs and everyone went on their way. Thanks McClures for driving to meet us! We miss you!!!