Christmas 2011

I really am trying to catch up! Here's what some of our Christmas activities were:

The girls and I went to a gingerbread house party. I haven't decorated a gingerbread house before and I had to ask what I was supposed to bring. At the party I realized I should have bought the kit at Costco because the house comes assembled. Next year. I was too overwhelmed by the kids and the food and the visiting with people at the party, so I opted not to put my house together at the party. I put it together later and Kaylin had a great time decorating it.

Kaylin and her gingerbread house. I'm not sure if this is first thing in the morning or if it was later in the day and I hadn't combed her hair or made her change out of her pajamas. I'm assuming the latter.

Kaylin's preschool had a sign-up for ringing the salvation army bell at a grocery store down the street from our house. I thought it was a great service opportunity for us and the girls had a fun time. Lauren had to be on a leash so that she didn't run into the store or into the parking lot.

Teacher Steffeny, Kaylin, and our pet Lauren.
Please notice that I somehow convinced Kaylin to wear pants since it was so cold out. I was surprised that we even owned pants that fit her. Someone gave her this pair for her birthday last year. She wore the pants for maybe an hour total. I think the total time spent in pants for 2011 was 2 hours. This girl will still ONLY wear dresses.

No Christmas season would be complete without attempted pictures with Santa.

We go to the Santa House in downtown Renton. It's not all that pretty, but it's free and this year we got the "good" Santa. I was surprised and happy that both girls sat with Santa. It took Lauren awhile. She watched Kaylin and finally decided that it was okay. Santa was really nice and was even able to get them both to smile. This is the first time Kaylin has ever willingly sat with Santa. Last year we didn't even try because she was so against it, we just let her stand outside the Santa House. One more thing... I was crazy and made Kaylin's dress.

We spent Christmas with my parents. My sister and her family and my brother and his wife were also there. The kids had so much fun together!

Here are Lauren and Miles (2 weeks apart in age) playing Just Dance on the Wii:

Kaylin and Macey (1 month apart in age) had lots of fun helping Nana make treats:

I wasn't in a picture taking mood over Christmas (weird?), but my mom and sister both took a lot. I was planning on them sending me their pictures, but they haven't (hint... hint...).

And that, my friends, concludes my posts for 2011.