SleDDing!!!!

Today we went out and did a little sledding:) Where Riley practiced for soccer, there was a big sledding hill so this morning we decided to check it out. Mike thought it would be fun to take Payton along too. She made it one time down and then she was done. The grown up feet kick quite a bit of snow up into the front riders face:( Riley experienced this the first time that she and I went down, but then she switched spots with Mike and the problem was pretty much fixed at least. Payton never did want to try again and was not super into sledding (or the cold), but Riley had a blast. Next time hopefully the wind won't blow the snow off of some of the hill and maybe just Mike and Riley will go so that they can stay as long as they want and really enjoy sledding.

Bulls Game

Mike's friend Tony invited us to go to the Bulls game with him. Mike and I have gone a few times, but this time the girls were invited too. We were originally going to bring both girls, but then Mike saw that it was a 7 pm game and we knew Payton would never make it. A huge thanks to Auntie Bika for watching her!! It was a big treat for Riley because not only would her first Bulls game be from a skybox, but we were also going to be riding in a limo!! She had a blast with Tony's 3 girls, who were fighting over who got to sit next to her:) The grown ups had a lot of fun too! The girls even managed to make it on the jumbo-tron! (And I was able to capture it on video too!) Even though Riley will not say so, she had a blast and I am sure if we get invited again, that she will say she would love to go back!

Merry Christmas

We hope that everyone had an amazing Christmas! We had a great Christmas spent with our families!!

On Christmas Eve we headed to Granny and Papa Dan's. The theme Christmas continued and this year our theme was Polynesia. There were great decorations, music, games, and of course great food. We all had a wonderful time getting to talk and be together and the kids had so much fun playing. Granny read them stories and they took a trip on the plane and had their passports stamped for the second year. Of course there were also lots of presents and the kids were in heaven. Payton is not so sure yet of opening gifts and was a little overwhelmed, but Riley had no troubles! After this celebration, it was time to head home to get ready for bed and SANTA.....

Christmas morning Riley let us sleep until 7:30, but that was all the break that we got. We then woke Payton up, which was not the best for her present opening mood, and were on our way downstairs to see what Santa had left. Riley wasted no time checking out what was down there and then the opening began. Diesel quickly settled onto his present...a new bed....as well. Riley was in heaven and Payton was not too into it. Riley was very excited to get all the things on her list and a few surprises. I think she also liked that she was able to open most of Payton's presents too. After a quick clean up and breakfast, it was time for church and to get ready for our company.

In the afternoon, Grammy, Papa, Nana, Papa T, Auntie Bika, and her boyfriend Jay came over to celebrate with us. Mom had planned on making homemade ravioli over thanksgiving weekend before Payton changed those plans, so her and dad graciously made them for us all to enjoy on Christmas. We ate SO much good food (thanks mom and dad!) and again enjoyed being with family. After we ate, Riley was eager to rip into more presents and this time Payton got more involved in the process. After presents, we watched a little "Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas" that was shared from Uncle Rob. (Riley has found a new found love of the muppets since seeing the movie with Bika and Jay, and also got many new muppet movies for Christmas.) We had a fabulous time just having a relaxing Christmas with our family.

We hope that everyone had a fabulous holiday too. It was so nice to be able to spend time with our loved ones and really enjoy each other!

Pajamas with Santa

Last night our church had "Pajamas with Santa". Now I did not take it literally, as it was meant to be, and bring the girls in their pajamas. (I also felt weird bringing them in their pj's to mass..) We did stay for the fun however! There were crafts, cookies and milk, and stories. And of course....SANTA! Riley was very excited to sit on his lap and tell him about the slushie magic that she wants. Payton however was not so sure. She did not cry though like most of the other kids I know around her age that went, so I guess that is a plus. I snapped a few pictures with my camera and think they turned out pretty good. Hopefully the one they took will be available for us at church next week. A successful and fun evening with Santa!

And too funny....this morning Riley was telling me all about how she believes that that was the "real" Santa. (She knows that previous ones were not..) She thinks this because his hair and beard were real and he said "I will see what I can do" about the slushie magic:) So much fun to experience the holidays through their eyes!

Riley's First Christmas Program

Tonight Riley had her first Christmas program at school and she did a fabulous job! They sang three songs with the pre-K and 1st grade and then after all the other grades performed, they sang 2 as a whole school. She looked so grown up up there....I did my best to get some pictures. We could also tell how much she enjoyed herself, especially on a hallelujiah song when they popped up and down. We are so proud of how well she is doing in school and adapting. She is getting smarter and more outgoing by the day it seems....

St. Nick

I cannot ever remember putting out my shoes for St. Nick. (Perhaps this was a tweaked tradition when Grandpa Bill knocked on the door and left the bag of fruits and nuts...) This year, we began this tradition with the girls however. I was completely unaware until about 4pm though that we would be starting:) When I picked Riley up from school, she told me that they had left their gym shoes out for St. Nick to fill. And there meant....he had to do the same at home! Luckily I had a few things I had already gotten for stockings. Not exactly fruit and simple things like that, but the girls did not mind. They were both so excited when they got up and saw the things in their shoes. (Even Elfy couldn't miss out on the fun!) Later at school, Riley got to see what he left there and learn a little more about the tradition. (Mommy too when she brought home the little card that explained how it all began...)

Christmas Preparations

First off, a belated Happy Thanksgiving! We enjoyed spending a quiet day at Connie and Dan's. Friday held some unbelievably scary excitement as most of you know. (Too much to write here...) Thanks to some wonderful help from Mom though, we were able to continue with our plans of getting the tree up today! Riley had a blast decorating, once again . Poor Payton was under the weather, but she still did her best to help out...and get into trouble as well. It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!