Playing with new things.

New Year's Day 2008

After staying up til 2am the night before, we went to Scott's parent's house for Christmas with them.  The day included food, singing, a reading from Stan, and, of course, presents.

The three cousins love to play the piano together.  Next year there will be four, but I don't think she'll be old enough to sit here yet.  That might take a couple years.  Aleah is very excited to have a girl cousin.  :)

Hmm...For some reason I failed to take pics of Bruce's gifts.  Oops.

New Year's Eve 2007

Hockey game first, then Christmas presents and food.

Every year we squeeze onto this couch for a picture.

And every year, Caleb and Scott & I exchange presents in Victoria's Secret boxes.  Whoever has them has to use them that year.  I almost forgot.  I had his presents wrapped when I remembered, so then I wrapped them again in the boxes.  :)

If you saw an earlier post from Christmas Eve, B was playing the guitar with a book.  This still is a favorite toy.  Aleah says, "Look, I'm a rockin' star!"

Sunglasses from Uncle Caleb were also a hit.

Lights 12.30.2007

We took the kiddos to see the Fantasy of Lights.  There are so many lights that it was hard to see them all.  For those who don't know, this is a drive through where businesses donate lighted displays and then we pay a small fee to drive through to admire the lights while listening to Christmas music.  It usually runs from after Thanksgiving to the end of the year.  The kiddos loved it and wanted to go back through.  Afterwards, we went downtown to get pics of Santa.  We hope to make this a new tradition during the Christmas season.  At the Santa, you have the option of hiring a horse and carriage to take you downtown to see different displays downtown.  We didn't do that, but maybe some year.

Christmas Day

We had a nice day! Thankfully, the kiddos didn't wake up until 7:15 am. I was definitely worried. Aleah was really concerned that Santa didn't leave anything in Mommy and Daddy's stockings. But we assured her that we were okay with that. We had belgian waffles for a late breakfast, a snack for lunch, Scott and I watched a movie during the kiddo's nap time, and then we had a big dinner with mashed potatoes, baked chicken with gravy, green bean casserole and rolls. It was a really nice day to spend as a family.

NEW Christmas Eve Traditions

Well, I was never one to do milk and cookies(Christmas candy in our case) for Santa, but that was a new tradition that was started. Aleah was just enamored with the prospect of Santa the entire season. In fact, the credit union that I work for sent all the kids of a certain age letters from Santa telling them to be in bed early so that he could stop by. Both kiddos taped the letter on their doors. Something we did this year that I really, really hope is not a tradition is that we had no presents wrapped when the kiddos went to bed Christmas Eve. So, Scott and I were up until 2 am wrapping presents and Scott was sent out to a gas station at some point because we didn't have the right kind of batteries. Go figure. Before we had children, I always remember talking to those who did and they always talked about staying up late to wrap presents and forgetting batteries. I never thought it would be us when they are at such a young age. Next year, I will be planning a bit better. :)

Christmas Eve Traditions

Every year, we gather at my parent's house for dinner, singing of Christmas carols and songs, the reading of the Christmas story where we all participate, and an all around good time.


My cousin, Jenn & her son, Logan

Bruce with his Great Grandpa looking on and he's "playing guitar" with his book.


Josh and Caleb always accompany our singing with the guitars.

Aleah loves her Grandma Ethel. Ethel is actually my Great Aunt(my late grandma's sister).

Children's Program 12.23.2007

The Evening Children's Program was canceled due to a winter storm, so we were able to enjoy it the next week which was the Sunday before Christmas. Aleah's class sang Away in a Manger.