Christmas Eve

The reason for the season......Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Maya asked Grandma to make the cake with blue frosting, "because baby Jesus is a boy". Of course!

We all sang, "Happy Birthday" and Maya helped baby Jesus by blowing out the candles.

Wayne made a beeeeyouteeeeful turkey - 21 pounds!

Grandma brought Korbel and Welch's sparkling juice. We toasted to a Merry Christmas. Maya did well with her flute even though previous experience has been sippy cups, LOL. The taste of the juice surprised her though, it's an acquired taste!

After a delicious dinner, we made gingerbread houses. A boy team - Wayne and Kevin. A girl team - Grandma, Mommy, and Maya. Grandpa was the independent judge. He liked the "snow" on the roof of the girl's creation, but when Wayne figuratively dangled a take-home bag of turkey drum sticks, he declared the boy's house the winner.

Time for presents. Daddy and his little helper passed out the gifts.

Maya was happy to help Grandpa with opening his presents.

A Li Bien ornament and fun finger puppets from Cousins Cindy and Terry!

Cousin Kevin liked his gift!

The stocking was hung by the chimney, with care......

...Maya put out the reindeer food we had made at the Notre Dame bookstore.....

...and cookies and milk for Santa.....

...then off to bed, even though we were "too exciting to sleep!"

Winter Wonderland in Ice

January.......

June......

I love Grandma and Grandpa Adventure Day

Saturday was a special edition Grandma And Grandpa Adventure Day. We went to South Bend for the Open House at Notre Dame's bookstore. The staff were so patient and wonderful. Thanks to all the kind people, we had a wonderful time - we stayed for hours. We listened to Father Jenkins (ND President) read two stories; we decorated cookies; made reindeer food; decorated ornaments; ate lunch; sang Christmas carols; and saw Santa! It took several trips to see Santa, but Maya was finally brave enough to sit next to him and tell him that she wants a doll house and toys for Christmas. She told him she's three years old and has been a good girl :)

Dinner at Grandma's

Grandma and Grandpa had us over for a delicious spaghetti dinner tonight and then we watched Santa Clause 2. Maya had so much fun - she loves, loves, loves going to Grandma and Grandpa's house! And giving them big hugs......

Playing in the Snow

Daddy took Maya on a sled ride.

Maya and Nate had a blast in the snow today - sliding, making snowballs, playing hide and seek - big fun!

Making Pumpkin Bread

Thank you, Sherry, for the pumpkin bread mix! We made it in our adorable little porridge pots and then put some on the dish that came with it. Yummy, when we count our blessings, you are always on that list :)

Jacob's Christmas Pageant

Wednesday night we went to Jacob's Christmas Pageant at Trinity Lutheran. He was SUCH a handsome horse at the stable in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. Maya brought him a Webkinz pony, to celebrate his being a new big brother - we didn't know that Jacob was going to play a horse, it worked out perfectly :)

Who's on Santa's Nice List?

Click here to see

http://family.go.com/santas-list/video/42154-mom2maya/

Dancing Princess

Maya had fun dancing in the dress that Kevin, Kim, Sam and Alex gave her for her birthday - our little princess :)