Christmas Day!

Wow! What a great day it's been! We started early because Rylee was leaving at 1:00 to spend the rest of the week with her dad. Rylee was spoiled as usual! She made a special wreath this year at school that she was extra excited about giving me! We spent the morning setting up her new Lego sets and dressing her American Girl dolls. After she left cousins came over and I got to hold my newest Niece Laura for quite awhile. She's at the age where talking, cooing, and smiling are her newest tricks. I had so much fun interacting with her. She is such a sweet little girl:) Spencer cooked a buffet dinner for everyone. It's so fun having Nana and Courtney here this year to spend the Holidays with us.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was action packed this year! A snow storm decided to hit right as we were supposed to pick Nana up from the airport! Luckily we made it and got home just in time for our family program and dinner. Uncle spencer conducted the program, and came dressed for his part:) Grandma great stuck with tradition and read the little match girl. Dinner started with a new tradition... Poppers! We all got a trinket and paper crown! After dinner we opened cousin presents and Rylee and Grace were THRILLED with their horse Legos! Rylee received a very special gift just before bed. I sent my old American Girl doll Samantha in to the doll hospital and had her all fixed up for Rylee. She loved that she's the proud new owner of my cherished doll as a kid:)

Christmas party

Aunt Taunya had her annual Christmas party over the weekend! It was quite a success! There were twenty cousins that came and most were under 9! We all had a great time and a special guest made a surprise appearance with gifts for everyone!

Piano

Rylee had her first piano recital Saturday. She did a perfect job! Rylee played twinkle, twinkle little star and jingle bells. She had both her sets of grandparents, her dad, stepmom, and little brother there to watch her play!

Polar express

We took a ride on the polar express this morning! It was aunt Sarah's idea and it was sure a good one! Grandpa and Granny Kate came alone as well which made it an extra special time! There was hot cocoa, cookies, dancing, singing, and best of all Mr. & Mrs. Clause! Santa handed out special bells from his reindeer and Mrs. Clause gave us her delicious cookie recipe. Rylee volunteered for every song, dance, and talent the elves asked for! She's not a shy girl:) I think we may have started a new family holiday tradition this year!
HoHoHo

Gingerbread Houses

This years gingerbread houses turned out great! I think 6 is the perfect age to create a darling little house. These toothless little school friends took their sweet time making their houses as perfect as possible! Josh man did a pretty good job himself, making sure to sample some tasty treats... And some not so tasty icing! Sweet Ava tested the licorice for us... Making sure it was delicious!