Christmas 2012

Christmas this year was not quite what we had planned on. We we all pretty sick for most of December, so that put a bit of a damper on the festivities. We did manage to still have fun though, and were reminded of what a precious gift our family and time together is.

 Hallie enjoyed decorating the tree this year. We may have rearranged a few things after she went to bed that night ;)

 She also sent her first letter to Santa in which she requested an umbrella (with mom's help). She was so excited to put it in the mailbox, and excitedly checked the next day to be sure the post man had gotten the letter. When She opened the mail box there was a small package waiting and she quickly tore it open. It was a promotional calendar from our old Realtor, and Hallie looked at it, threw it on the ground and then started crying, screaming that she had wanted an umbrella not a calendar...
So we had to have a little talk about that.

 Christmas eve we did a little shopping. Hallie and Daddy rode the train at the mall. Later that night we read the Christmas story and the kids got to open their new pajamas.

 The loot.  And yes, Hallie got her act together in time for Santa to bring her an umbrella.

 Aunt Mandy's present to Ezra was an instant winner. We have been asked by numerous people since, if he is chewing on a dog toy...

School Days

Hallie started pre-school this December at the local rec-center. She goes two days a week, and loved it the first month, but now that the novelty has worn off, she is a little unsure about her feelings. Car-pool, time away from mom, and lack of adequate toys (in her oppinion), are all pretty distressing on school mornings, and she will spend hours trying to convince me that she is just going to stay home all day. So, some days happier than others she heads to school, and with out fail she always returns home with a big smile and an enthusiatic "I had fun today Mom!"

Thanksgiving in Hotlanta

 Todd and Cathie invited us to the McMansion this year for Thanksgiving, and we excitedly accepted. So Wednesday after Grant finished work, we headed out and started the drive to Atlanta. All was going well until about 3 hours in when we got stuck in some pretty bad traffic. They had the freeway closed going both directions and all we could do was sit and wait in the car for 2 hours.  Oreos and Red Vines only worked for so long, and then the kids started to melt down, and I started to feel like I was coming down with the flu. When traffic finally started moving again, we were able to push the kids for about another 1 1/2 hours, and then the nuclear meltdown occurred  and we decided it was best to get a hotel for the night. Once we had settled in for the night Ezra was having a hard time sleeping and we finally realized that he had a fever too. So, Mom and Ez were both sick. Pretty much it was a fantastic night ;) But well worth it when we arrived at Todd and Cathie's!

 The McMansion was decked out for the holiday. The food was delicious, the toys were enjoyed by both the big and the small guests, and best of all we got to spend time with family!

 Todd and Cathie were so generous and invited Cristy and Nathaniel too. We had so much fun seeing all of the kids, and not having to try to split our time between the two families!

All in all, a Great Thanksgiving!

We've survived 3 years!

Hallie turned three in November, and was soo excited this year for all of the festivities that surround a birthday. She helped me make cupcakes for her party, I decided to give up control and just let her have fun decorating them...

 I think she enjoyed the process.

 Hallie had a party with a few friends at Totter's Otterville (basically a ghetto children's museum, but we love it). As most things I plan usually do, the party took on a life of it's own and ended up being bigger than  my original idea of  Hallie+friend play at Otterville, but in the end she had fun, and we were glad that we were able to share her birthday with so many sweet friends! If your biggest problem in life is that you have too many friends, then I think your probably doing okay!

 We spent a quiet day together on Hallie's real Birthday and opened presents from Grandmas and Grandpas, and Mom and Dad. It was a great  day, filled with lots of princesses, pajamas, cookies, and "Hangabur-Helper", and if you know Hallie you know that is a fantastic day in  her book!

I can't believe this girl is 3!!! I love her more each day, and am in awe of the amazing girl she is growing to be!