Christmas Eve & Day

Our Christmas celebrations on the actual days did not disappoint. Before it got dark on Christmas Eve, Rachel and Audrey spread reindeer food on the lawn. I was certainly glad that I hadn't forgotten it back in Texas!

After a delicious Christmas Eve dinner, the grandchildren opened their Christmas Eve presents from Papa and Grandma Smith.

The girls were thrilled with their pretty skirts and headband tiaras...

After a good night's sleep Christmas morning finally arrived! The girls were so excited to see what Santa had left them. Rachel was impressed with the cookie crumbs and drops of chocolate milk that were left behind once Santa enjoyed his snack. Here are the girls ready to open their presents:

They each got a stocking full of goodies, a game, and a DVD from Santa.

Later that morning everyone gathered all together. Grandma and Grandpa Mills (Andy's grandparents) even joined us for the whole day. I'm disappointed we didn't get any pictures with them. :( Rachel really warmed up to Grandpa Mills teasing her...

All the girl cousins hanging out ready to open more presents:

Audrey and Rachel each got a bilibo from Papa and Grandma. They were enjoyed by everyone... Once again, we really didn't get any pictures of the enjoyment that was had. I guess we were just having too much fun!

Pictures of presents being opened:

Just like her mama - Audrey's excited about the chocolate!

Each family got a stocking filled with presents - the girls are enjoying their crocheted hats...

Rachel helping Papa and Grandma check out their 2011 calendar:

In the afternoon some took naps, some played games, and some just took it easy. Later that evening the kids all had fun with a pinata... Although before the pinata destroying began one of Grandma's reindeer got broken by the adult children. The girls did not forget about "Rudolph" the whole rest of the trip. They kept on talking about Rudolph and his head being cut off... Just gotta laugh! Anyhow, the girls enjoyed the pinata...

And of course the treats that came with it.

We definitely enjoyed Christmas 2010 and were glad that we still had several days to spend in Utah...

Pre-Christmas Utah Fun

We went up to Utah this year for Christmas and it was such a nice trip! Not only were we super excited to spend time with family, but it also allowed us to put our gloves, boots, scarves, and coats to use... We flew out late on the 20th, so the real fun didn't start until the 21st. Although the evening of the 20th the girls each got to open a present. Santa had come to Papa and Grandma Smith's house the night before and left a little something for the girls. :) Anyhow, here are a few memories of the beginning of our trip...

On the 21st we woke up to snow, so of course we had to take advantage before it melted. We didn't end up having a white Christmas, but we did enjoy snow before and after Christmas. I was being a bit lazy that morning and Andy was doing some work, so Uncle Nate and Grandma had fun with the girls:

They were pretty proud of their snowman. It was too bad it melted the next day...

Everyone wanted to sit on Papa's lap:
Rachel and Presley playing:
Audrey loving the snuggles and attention from Aunt Julie:
Papa reading a bedtime story to the girls:

One morning we went to an indoor game place with little kid rides and arcade games. The girls enjoyed themselves:

Amy and Ken arrived on the 23rd and Rachel warmed up quickly to her Uncle Ken:

That evening we headed to the Hogle Zoo to check out the Christmas lights:

Audrey and Brinley measuring up:
More to come...

Early Christmas

Since Papa and Grandma Michaelson drove down for Audrey's birthday, we let the girls open their presents from them on December 12th before they had to leave. We definitely spread Christmas out through the whole month of December.

The girls were so excited to open some presents!
Rachel thrilled with her new barbie car:
Audrey so excited for her present:
And even more excited to play with it:

Rachel also got a tool set, since she loves playing with Grandma's toy tools whenever we go to visit. Rachel loves the tools, and of course the safety glasses! Her boy friends have had fun playing with her tools as well!

Thanks Papa and Grandma Michaelson for coming down to visit and for spoiling us. The girls are still having fun with their gifts! :)

Priceless

I loved catching Grandma playing with Rachel last weekend... :) She even made sure Grandma had a comfy pillow to sit on. And there was a funny conversation as they played:

Rachel: Hi friend, (speaking to Grandma's barbie doll) can you come over to my house for a sleep over.
Grandma: I don't know, let me go ask my mom... (So, Grandma goes to another barbie doll who's the mom.) Can I go spend the night at my friend's house?
Grandma (playing the mom barbie doll): No, but you can go play and then I'll come and pick you up before bedtime.
Grandma (original barbie doll): Okay. (Grandma goes back to Rachel's barbie doll.) I'm sorry I can't spend the night, but I can come over and play until bedtime.
Rachel (not playing barbie anymore): Okay Grandma, I need to play the mom barbie doll. I won't be mean and I'll let her go to the sleep over!

Poor Grandma! She was just trying to put in a plug for the Michaelson's disapproval of sleepovers. Lucky her though, she's not going to have to be the mean one for this generation. It's going to be my turn to fill those shoes some day. Wish me luck...

Celebrating Audrey

We had so much fun celebrating Audrey's birthday this year! December 11th fell on a Saturday, so my parents drove down to spend the day with Audrey. It was fun to spoil her on her day. I have decided to be very protective of her day until she's old enough to do so herself. So, nothing Christmas was allowed on her birthday - including our church Christmas party.

Our first stop of the day with Build-a-Bear. We've never been there before and boy was it intense! Next time I think we'll try to go on a weekday... Anyhow, the girls did enjoy picking out a bear and some outfits amid all the chaos. And then we headed out to the mall, found a quiet bench, and dressed their bears.

Audrey named her bear Rainbow:

And Rachel named her bear Cassie:
We couldn't resist buying the matching shoes for Audrey's bear:
And of course the Birthday shirt was a must as well:

After Build-a-Bear we headed to Chuck E. Cheese. The girls had fun playing games and they always enjoy pizza.

Probably Audrey's favorite little ride:

Don't you love it???:
A picture with Papa:

After all of our tummies were full we headed home to get the birthday girl a nap. And then after her nap, since it was 78 degrees that day, we headed to the park. Audrey had requested, "Papa push me high on baby swing". So, that's exactly what he did! I think for a good 20 minutes... Audrey loves swinging!

After dinner we opened presents. Audrey enjoyed opening her presents. It's always fun to watch how she insists on getting every piece of wrapping paper off her gifts...

I think the ladybug pillow pet is a hit:

Feeding her new baby doll and Rachel ready to help Audrey open her next present:

All done, now what do I play with???:
Enjoying her ladybug tent:
Figuring out the guitar:

Audrey (well neither of the girls) are a big fan of cake. So, we decided to have a cheesecake for Audrey. And I must say that I definitely recommend the Cheesecake Factory cheesecakes that are available at Sam's Club. Definitely the right price and very delicious. We got a plain one and topped it with fresh raspberries and blueberries. Yummy!

Audrey grabbing a blueberry:
Loved the 2 candles:
Singing "Happy Birthday" to Audrey:

Enjoying her cheesecake:

What a fun-filled day Audrey had! And I was pretty close on Audrey's stats... She weighs 21.2 pounds and is 32.25 inches tall. We are looking forward to the next year of adventures with our Audrey...

Work Christmas Party

There are definitely some benefits to budget cuts... Well, others may not agree with me, but I was thrilled that Andy's work had a family party option this year. Since our friends who we used to hang out with at the fancy adult party have moved, this is a much more enjoyable option for us. Everyone was much more comfortable and had a lot more fun. Plus, no need to worry about rounding about a babysitter during the busy holiday season.

On the evening of Thursday, December 9th, the girls and I met Andy downtown at his office. The girls were very excited all day to be going to daddy's office. We first took pictures with Santa, which we haven't gotten copies of... Audrey simply asked for toys and Rachel asked for a unicorn pillow pet. We then took a family holiday photo and everyone was looking and 3/4 of us were smiling! After enjoying some food the girls wanted to get their faces painted and get an air-brushed tattoo. Their air-brushed tattoos are finally fading...

A stocking:

An angel:
A unicorn (Guess what was on her mind?):
A snowman:

A picture in front of the massive Christmas tree in the lobby:

After we were done with the festivities at the office we crossed the street and went ice skating at Discovery Green. Well, Andy and Rachel went ice skating. We didn't think it would be worth it to take Audrey. Although they did have double-bladed ice skates and Rachel did really well on them. Maybe Audrey could have joined in on the fun... But Andy and I plan on returning before our tickets expire (since we got 4) and call it a date night. Anyhow, Rachel enjoyed skating and Audrey enjoyed watching. Definitely a fun little holiday tradition that we hope continues. If not on E&Y's dime, then on our own. It's always fun to go ice skating...

Enjoying the little kid rink:

Out with Daddy on the big ice rink:

The next day when Rachel was telling her grandparents on the phone about going ice skating, she kept on talking about skating on the human being ice skating rink. I guess adults are human beings and kids are kids. We've since explained to her that she's a human being... It sounded funny to hear her say, "I went skating with the human beings!".