Christmas 2010

Christmas is here!

Lilly got finger nail polish and her first pedicure.

Lilly got a Crusoe just like Hylton's from Grandma Rowe.

Eli got a sand construction set from Granny Paula.

Ben has the supplies to brew his own Root Beer, we'll have to wait to see how that turns out.

Eli got a real telescope, so he can see things far away while we're driving in the car.

Every Lady needs a purse to carry her important belongings around.

Santa came through and brought Eli a rescue helicopter for Little Teddy Beary to drive.

Michelle got new boots!

The kids got a bath toy that works like a faucet, so there's always running water in the tub.

Lilly got a custom doll bed hand crafted by Mom and Dad!

I just realized I never posted about going to see Santa. Lilly was scared to death of him, we couldn't get her to sit on his lap. Eli loved him and had an enchanting conversation with him. He asked for his rescue helicopter, and asked if he could leave carrots out for the reindeer. Santa told him the reindeer would love carrots, but to just leave them one. If they ate too many carrots they would be too fat to fly!

Eli working away.

Changing to the wrecking ball, time to do some demo.

Who is this bed for?

Lilly in all her Christmas finery. She hasn't gone a second without at least one necklace on since yesterday.

Here is Cargo, our new spring horse. Lilly is getting more confidant on him with every ride.

Eli loves Cargo, and named her. Cargo already has her own personality, she's a leader of the other horses, listens too all of Eli's commands and likes to eat seed. Eli even stops to let her go to the bathroom!

We feel so blessed to have such a wonderful Christmas season. We drove around many a night looking at Christmas Lights, went to Zoo Lights,

visited Santa, Skyped family and celebrated our 10 year anniversary on the 19th.

We're excited for a new year, and can't wait to see what life has in store for us in 2011!

Eli's School Program

This was Eli's first school program. The kids had so much fun making crafts, doing activities and eating lunch together. They prepared a small program for the kids to sing 3 songs for the parents to watch. I saw them practice singing and bowing in the hallway, but that was about it. As soon as the kids got up in front of the classroom, Eli yelled "Mom, I have to go potty!". We ran to the bathroom as fast as we could, had a small fight because Eli wanted to button his own pants but I said there wasn't time, and ran back to the classroom. Sadly the kids had just finished when we returned, so we missed the whole thing. Oh well, I guess it's a funny story to tell about Eli's first school program, and I'm sure there will be many more to look forward to.

On the bright side, Eli didn't seem to care at all that he missed the program. He went right back to digging in the fake snow they had set out for the kids.

Wrestling

Artist

Eli's creation!
Whenever we do an art project Eli has to also make something of his own.
It usually involves mixing a lot of paint together and using different "tools" to smear it around the paper. I'm interested to see how this develops as Eli grows.

Clean up, the shirt didn't make it.


The wall of art. These are ABC projects we've done over the last year. I wanted to get to Z by the end of the year, but we're only at R. We started by doing 2 of each letter, now I kind of wish we'd just done 1. We've had a lot of fun though, it was worth it!

Christmas Tree

We cut down our Christmas tree again this year, it's such a fun tradition!

There was snow on the ground, and the air was filled with the smell of pine. It doesn't get more Christmassy than that!

We tried to get a decent picture of the four of us together, but no luck.

We'll see if we get something in time to send out Christmas cards.

So much for getting a smaller tree this year, it's at least 11ft. I'll put up a pic of the tree as soon as I get around to taking one!

Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow.......

We got a little bit of snow last week.

The kids loved it, and wished for more.

We hope there will be more in January, Eli really wants to use his sled!

Lego Creation

Here's one of Eli's Lego creations he built the other day. He was so proud of himself for building it alone. I think the greater accomplishment was that he somehow kept Lilly from destroying it before it's completion.

Bye Bye Mullet

Sweet Lilly

Here's Lilly trying to help Eli feel better when he was sick.

Lilly's hair after the bath is so curly, I just love it. I'm still trying to decide what to do with her mullet, just let it grow or give her a bob until the front can grow more......

Eli Dancing

I don't know where Eli gets his moves!

Lilly Walking

Lilly has been taking a few steps since she was 13 months. Finally at 16 months she's walking everywhere she goes. The funny part is, I went to the coast for 1 night with the girls and she did this while I was gone. Maybe she felt like my baby, and in the 24 hours without me she decided to grow up!

Halloween 2010

Eli and Herbie at Trunk or Treat

Eli on his way to preschool. Of course, he would only let me take a picture of the back of his costume!

The spoils from his preschool trick or treating.
This turned out to be the only candy he got. He was too sick to stay at trunk or treat long enough to get any candy. He also missed trick or treating around the neighborhood, when I asked if he wanted to go he said he just wanted to lay on the couch. You know a kid doesn't feel good when they turn down candy.

Lilly on her way to Trunk or Treat

I was too lazy to carve pumpkins this year, what with two kids with the stomach flu and all. I spray painted them white and decorated them with black paint. It took about 10 min. and left virtually no mess. I think this might become a tradition!

Pearl and Lilly just after trick or treating!
The girls were a little confused at the first couple of houses, but they got the hang of it quickly. They both kept taking more and more out of the candy bowls, because they're so little people thought it was cute and encouraged them to take as much as they wanted. When I told the neighbor Lilly's favorite candy was Almond Joy, and she'd been asking for it all day, she believed me. She only realized after giving Lilly 3 Almond Joy, and Lilly couldn't have cared less about the candy, that they we're really intended for Lilly. You've got to train them young, go for the chocolate!

Lilly's first experience with candy. I was surprised she loved it, Eli likes the idea of candy, but doesn't really eat any. Lilly couldn't get enough in her mouth fast enough.

The grown up party at the Churches house. So much fun, great friends, food, costumes and decorations, what more could you ask for?

My Victorian era costume put together with about a million safety pins. I was a little afraid to sit down, but it looked cool.

Ben and I together at the party. Thanks Dave for the great pictures!