Saturday, December 31, 2011

December Pics and Videos

Most of my December pics were contained in other posts, but I have just a few random ones to share.

 Sweet sisters.


 Lena likes to make "mud piles", which are actually blanket piles.  We knew when she fell asleep in one, that she wasn't feeling well.


Sure enough, she had a fever.  It broke overnight and she was fine the next day.


Darn winter coats!


Happy girl with her Dandy Bear.

Here are a couple of videos I took of the girls in December.
Lena dancing to the new "laptop" she got for Christmas.

Eva's working on her spoon feeding skills.


Eva putting spells on Mommy and Daddy.



Happy New Year!!

Friday, December 30, 2011

Christmas in Indiana

Our trip to Indiana was delayed by a day due to a death in our congregation, but we were still able to make it down there and enjoy celebrating Christmas with our family.  Here are a few pics.

First we had Christmas at Hilary and Scott's with my parents.

 Lena with Uncle Scott and Noah.


 Noah had fun loving on Lena.




 Lena being attacked by the Noah monster.



 Eva loves Aunt Hil's fridge farm.


 Opening presents.  Lena got some My Little Pony toys.


 Grandma Sheryl excited about the mini food processor Hilary got her.


 Lena asking Daddy to open up her toy for her.

Hilary and Noah.

Noah helping Daddy open his present.


Hilary got me some magnets with my cooking blog's logo and web address on them.  Cool!


Grandma Sheryl watching Lena open another gift.


Helping Eva open her present.


Eva and Grandma Sheryl.


The girls playing with the singing snowmen.

Noah got some new bath toys.


Eva and me, amid a lot of Christmas mess!



Then we had Christmas at Aunt Amy's and Uncle Frank's with Grammy Tammy, Roger, and Great-Grandma Zink.  (I didn't get as many pics there bc my camera battery died.)

 Grammy Tammy made these cute animal hats for the girls.  Lena's is a monkey. . . 


 . . . and Eva's is an owl.


 So cute!


 Lena with Uncle Frank and Cousin Dominic.


 Eva scribbling on the new Aquadoodle mat.

Then we had Christmas with Grandpa Brian at his house.


 Grandpa opening up a new game.


 A pretty new dress for Eva.


 Lena got a Happy Napper.


 Eva watching Grandpa open his present.


 The girls checking out their new Little People Noah's Ark.


 Lena got her dream come true: a piano!  She had been asking for one every day during December.





 Testing it out.


Piano girl.


 Eva wearing Grandpa's glasses.


 Lena's turn!

And a few more pics of Lena hanging out with Noah.







We had a great time visiting our family in Indiana.  Wish we could have stayed longer!  Thanks to Hilary, Amy, and Brian for hosting and thanks to everyone for all the great presents!  

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas at Home

Merry Christmas, everyone!  We hope you had a wonderful holiday.  We had a great Christmas this year.  Here are some pics.

 The Sunday before Christmas. Eva showing off her cute dress.


 Checking out the ornaments.


 I like this one, Mommy!




 Christmas Eve: Lena helping me make chocolate-dipped pretzel rods with candy coatings.


 Yes, that's chocolate in her teeth!


 This year I made homemade vanilla extract to give to family.


 Finished pretzel rods.


 My girls all dolled up and ready for church on Christmas Eve.


 So silly.


 It's so fun having little girls!


 Lena looks so big in this picture!  I think it's because I was kneeling.


 Eva in her pretty red dress.


 Playing with that same ornament.




 Lena saying, "No, no, Eva. Don't touch!"


 Checking out the tree and the presents.


 So pretty with all those presents underneath!


 Our nativity scene.


 We like cardinals; can you tell? :)

At the Christmas Eve service, Lena and the other kids of the church sang the first verse of "Away in a Manger"



 After church on Christmas Eve it's finally time to open presents!


 Lena's first computer!


 Eva's not sure how to go about this unwrapping thing.


 Luckily she has a big sister who is all to happy to help!


 "I want to open this present, Mommy, but there is a sparkle on my hand."


 Lena showing off her new hooded bath towel.


 Cozy cozy cozy!


 Eva's is a butterfly.


 Ha ha, not sure that's how it goes.




 Some pretty dresses.


 Eva got a Pillow Pet.


 A cash register!


 Eva REALLY liked this bear.  


 She is saying, "Ooh, ooh!"


 Christmas morning at church.





After church we came home and I made a nice big special Christmas Day brunch.  Then the girls had fun playing with their new toys all day long.  

Later this week we are off to Indiana to celebrate Christmas with our family.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!