Christmas Day

On Christmas Eve we drove back to Olathe so that we could spend Christmas morning at our house. We've never been at our own home for Christmas and it was really important to me that we start. With the progress on our basement we were able to decorate and use the fireplace for the first time which made our home feel very festive. 

Jane fell asleep on the drive but Anna managed to stay awake. She was thrilled to be able to get a plate of cookies and milk ready for Santa.

Christmas morning was so fun. Seeing the girls' faces light up when they saw Santa had come was amazing.

Santa was here!

Neither of the girls had any crazy requests for Santa but Jane did ask for a pink present and she was so happy when she saw that she got one!

It was so sweet watching them open presents. They were really great about taking turns and they were appreciative of even the small things like new bubble bath and socks. 

Checking out the stockings. 

There's Daddy recording!

A little later we went out to Auburn to celebrate with the Copp Family. Somehow I didn't take any pictures but we had a lovely time hanging out with everyone. After lunch out at the farm we went back over to my parents house to open presents and stay the night. 

Being silly with Grandpa

We had to play with some of the new toys before going to bed of course!

We don't often stay over at my Mom and Dad's house and it was nice having a little extra time to hang out and enjoy each other. 

Pizza and snuggles!

Hailie had really wanted to decorate Christmas cookies and hadn't done it yet. Since we had baked cookies the previous week and didn't decorate them we brought them with us and got busy!

The girls loved this we had so much fun. Grandpa even got in on the action. 

Jane with her buddy...Grandpa

Messy hands!

Nice cookie Grandma!

I kind of liked doing the decorating after Christmas. There is so much going on leading up to the holiday and it was nice and relaxing to do it after some of the craziness was over with. 

We wore Jane out though and she fell asleep watching a movie. 

Anna kept creeping closer and closer to Seth and I thought it was cute. He is always trying to get away. Haha. 

We had such a great Christmas Eve/Christmas this year. After lots of travel on Kevin's part in November and December it was so nice having him home for a couple weeks. He still had work to do from home but it was much more low key and we had lots of quality family time. 

Mr Stinky Feet and Christmas Eve

The Lenexa Community Center was doing their annual Candy Cane Hunt and 'Mr Stinky Feet' Concert that we attended on the 23rd of December. I took the girls the previous year and it was fun so I wanted to go again. Luckily Kevin was able to go as well!

The Candy Cane Hunt was cold and the girls were impressed so we just went inside (they basically throw the candy canes in the grass and let the kids pick them up). Once inside there was cookies and hot chocolate to warm up with. 

There was a reindeer hat craft and Christmas card making too. 

The main event was Jim Cosgrove AKA 'Mr Stinky Feet'! Mr Cosgrove lives in the KC area and he is great. We are lucky that we've been able to see him several times since he is good about doing concerts in the area. 

I had ordered a couple of CD's from his website and there was a mix up with the order and I didn't get something I'd ordered. I knew we had the concert coming up so we worked it out for me to pick up the CD at the concert. It worked out great though because we got to meet Mr Stinky Feet and I managed to get a picture too! If you are ever looking for a great gift I suggest checking out Heart Beats. It's a compilation that Mr Cosgrove was asked to put together by Hallmark and it is fantastic. Plus, it supports a small business and even local if you are in Kansas!

Mr Stinky Feet!!!!!!!

 After the concert there was still time to do a little cookie decorating (and eating of course)

The best I could get with Anna. She doesn't mess around when it comes to treats!

After the event was over we went ahead and drove into Topeka so we could begin our Christmas celebrations. On Christmas Day we spent some time putting up the tree and Kevin's Mom and Dad's House. 

Anna and Adell were very excited about being involved in this. Anna loved decorating our trees at home so she knew what to do. 

I strung the lights and the girls hung the ornaments. (Jane wasn't that interested but she did put up one or two) Patti also had some crafts planned and we spent some time doing those. I was sort of leading this portion of the day so I don't have any pictures (I'm pretty much the only person that takes photos so if I'm busy they don't happen!)

Gift opening time was so much fun this year! Their excitement for opening each gift is so fun to watch. 

Jane stayed by my side most of the time but Anna was a Grandma's girl. 

New RED shoes!!!!

 Jane took her time and didn't want much help. It was pretty sweet to see. 

Jane also wanted to play with or put everything on as she opened it. 

Kisses!

 Uncle James and Aunt Michelle gave the girls sleeping bags and they were a huge hit. Jane still loves hers and even sleeps in it in her bed sometimes. I caught this sweet moment of Jane and Michelle. 

Jane telling Michelle about Trolls.

After gifts we had a delicious dinner and finished up the evening with lots of games. We had a wonderful time with the Kent side of the family before we heading back to Olathe. 

December: Keeping Busy and First Snow of 2016

Anna taught Jane how to climb out of her crib right around Thanksgiving. We were forced to hurry up and transition her to a toddler bed when she opened the door to our bedroom one morning. Naps were already becoming more difficult but now they basically never happen. *Sigh*

Big girl toddler bed!

 I haven't been doing as many activities associated with the virtual book club we're in the last couple of months. Birthday planning and Christmas sort of kept me busy with other things. We do fit in what we can though. 

Jane watching Anna paint

 We did get involved during 'gingerbread man' week though. 

Gingerbread Playdough!

We decorated our own 'gingerbread people' too. 

Goofy kids

And we had to make gingerbread cookies!!! 

 Jane napped that day so Anna and I saved some for her too. They both loved making cookies! 

We did several Christmas crafts including a few ornaments. 

Painting their initials for an easy ornament!

 Every year time gets away from me and we don't get around to making Christmas cookies. I made it a priority this year. 

Christmas cookies!

 We didn't get around to decorating all of the cookies until the day after Christmas (pictures to come later) but we did make sure Anna and Jane got to do at least one. They loved this part!

Jingle bell counting when we read The Polar Express. 

And candy cane counting because I found some cute candy cane erasers. 

We had our first snow at the start of December and were able to get outside for a little bit. 

We attempted to sled down our hill but it didn't work out that well. A little later Kevin took Anna to the big hill by Lowe's while Jane and I warmed up inside. 

I love watching the girls try and get up wearing their puffy coats. 

Jane couldn't help it and had to taste the snow. We're teaching her about yellow snow and not to eat it off of shoes or tires 😆

Anna was thrilled to finally be making a snow angel. 

This kids loves winter!

There aren't very many pictures of the two of us anymore. 

Thanksgiving Part 2

Thanksgiving on the Kent side of the family was the Saturday after the Holiday. We stayed and Kevin's parents house and we sort of goofed off on Black Friday. I chaperoned a date for my niece and pretty much everyone else went and watched Trolls (I later got to watch it and it was a great movie!). It was nice having some down time after all of Kevin's travel in November, birthday party planning, and work of the family room. 

Anna brushing Jane's hair to get ready for 'the show'

 Patti always has a beautifully decorated table and I remembered to get a picture. 

It was fun eating, watching the girls put on more 'shows' (dressing up and walking around), and playing games. 

Playdough fun!

I had a craft from Anna's birthday that didn't get used so I brought it along for the girls to do. 

The next day was Anna's actual birthday and Grandma made pancakes.

It was tough to get her to look at the camera for an official "I'm 4" picture so this was the best I could get. 

It was a fun long Thanksgiving weekend!