Christmas 2012

We were blessed to have both sets of grandparents visit us this year.  My parents came the Saturday before Christmas and stayed through Christmas morning.  Then Jared's mom, Cris, and Christopher came Christmas afternoon and stayed for a week.  

Jared got a new guitar for Christmas and is learning how to play. 

Madison and Annabel playing on the ipad with Grandpa

The girls woke up to this Christmas morning

Stockings for the rest of us under the tree

Enjoying Christmas morning

Opening presents Christmas evening with Nana, Grandpa Cris, and Christopher

Christmas festivities

The first weekend of December was a very eventful one.  Friday evening, we went to a Christmas party and fundraiser at Annabel's preschool.  There were lots of games and bounce houses.

Fishing for candy

Playing in the "snow"

Pictures with Santa.  Annabel was terrified of Santa and his elf, so Jared an I ended up in the picture.  We had to be between Annabel and the elf just to get her to take the picture.  There was no way she was sitting on Santa's lap.

Saturday morning we had another Christmas party and fundraiser at Madison's school.  Saturday evening Jared and I went to my work Christmas party.

Sunday morning I ran a half marathon. Here I am with my great running partners after finishing the race.

Then Sunday night, Madison's choir performed at church.

Christmas trees and a parade

Madison has had a Christmas tree in her room for a couple of years now, and this year Annabel started begging for one.  I took her to Target and we started looking for a small one similar to Maddie's.  Until she spotted the purple tinsel tree.  She fell in love, and I couldn't say no.  So, here is Annabel showing off her tree.

And Madison with the one in her room

This was just before we headed out to the annual Christmas parade.  This is the first parade I have taken the girls to.  They loved it.

Notice the shorts.  I don't know if I will ever adjust to the Christmas weather here.  

Thanksgiving

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Annabel's class had a thanksgiving party.  Jared and I got to celebrate with her.

As soon as it was over, we picked Maddie up from school and drove up to my parents house.  My Grandma Nadine (Mimi to me, GeGe to the girls) and Fred had also arrived that day.  

On Wednesday, we got to relax and play some.  

The girls playing hungry hungry hippos with GeGe. 

Annabel eventually realized that pushing the lever down to open the hippo's mouth was not all that efficient.  She decided it was better to just hold the mouth open with one hand and shovel the marbles in with the other hand.

Later that day, we went to the botanical gardens in Stillwater.  There is a fun wooden ship to play on.

and a little Tinkerbell house

On the giant chair with GeGe

Grandpa even fit in Tinkerbell's house.

Thanksgiving day was great.  Lots of my mom's family was able to come to my parents' house.

The girls loved playing with the older kits.  They needed a picture with Miranda before she headed home.

We all enjoyed playing this bean bag toss game.  

Fred and Shiela

vs Mom and Grandad

Later the girls got in on the action

There was also a great cheering section.

Madison with my Grandma Vinita

Both girls with Grandma 

Mimi and Fred

We played board games

and, of course, watched some football

Friday evening, my dad's side of the family came to my parents house.  I didn't get very many pictures, but here are a couple of the girls playing with cousin Luke.  They loved him.