Christmas

Now that we own a flip we don't take as many pictures. But we did manage to snap a few Christmas morning. The kids didn't wake up too early and of course they had no idea that it was Christmas morning. Although I did get them an Advent calendar from Trader Joes I still don't think they know what we were counting down to. Stella just really enjoyed the little bit of chocolate she got to eat every morning. She would even share with brother some mornings.



Ok I open this little door here...



Opening all the doors now. Note her chocolate moustache.



Coloring at her new table from the Grandparents.



Even though he got lots of new books for Christmas, Aaron keeps going back to his favorites.



Someone is proud of their stacking ability.

Pre-Christmas Festivities

We headed to Winston to see family last weekend and besides the 14 hour drive (not kidding) and the icy roads we had a great time. Stella and Aaron got to see and play in snow last February but it was really wet and really cold. This time there was 6 inches on the ground and it was sunny and pretty warm.


I can't whistle gampa, my lips are fweezin!


Sledding in the backyard with Cousin Will.


Choosing a victim for a snowball attack.

Then we came in out of the cold for some music time.


And now I will play a few selections from The Goldberg Variations in the style of Glenn Gould...


The unorthodox "fist" technique of playing


Working the ivories with his leg thrown over the bench.



Stella with two of her favorite things - snowglobes and kitties.

The trip home was much less eventful and only 5 hours. We are so thankful for our family and the chance to spend time together!

Prepping for the Holiday

We went and got our tree but waited a day to decorate so we could do it with Gma and Gpa. They even got Aaron and Stella their first nativity (the Little People one). I had dreams of getting the Christmas card picture done the same night but neither child was interested in posing.


The princess in her Christmas dress, coloring with Brobee.


The sunshine of my life in his Christmas sweater.



Unpacking and setting up the manger scene.



Putting the Angel on top...



And then trying out the donkey.

They moved into PJ's for decorating the tree and to watch Charlie Brown.



Our happy boy.



The happiest boy!



Taking her job very seriously.



Checking out his reflection.

Indeed the most wonderful time of the year. Season's Greetings!

Big Girl

Out for a night on the town to see the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. She loved the dancing bears and elves and all the high kicking but lost interest in the second half when it got to ballet and all that.

Painting

Stella's new favorite thing to do is paint. It's really just a way to paint herself so she's only allowed to do this on bath night since she ends up a rainbow mess. But it is washable paint and she'll only be 2 for so long...


Choosing a color...


Starting with the hand...


And on to the nose.

Rainy Day

I can't walk in these boots mom. They are too big!


Hmmm, she doesn't seem to be having a problem...

Halloween Weekend

We got things started with a new pumpkin and some pumpkin socks.



Then the cousins came in town. Matt and Will are the perfect age to entertain 2 year olds. The boys were so sweet to their cousins.


Here Stella is getting her hair styled by Matthew.


Now she's getting some gameboy tips from cousin Will.


The boys reading "Oh Dear" to Aaron.


Aaron trying out his tough guy batman face. But it was all for naught. He started feeling badly the day before so by the time it was ready to trick or treat Aaron was not happy. Plus it was really rainy and we didn't want to make him worse. We let him stay home with his grandparents who I hear took lots of pictures of him.

All the outdoor pictures we took Halloween night are awful because of the weather but trust me when I say we had fun. Stella is having a hard time letting go of this holiday. Luckily all the Christmas stuff is already out (this makes me crazy) so she can go from pumpkin lights straight to Christmas ones.

Goodbye Halloween!

Pre-Halloween practice

I was out of town this weekend (gasp! Without the kids! Double gasp!)so David met Auntie Dee at Fernbank for their annual Bugs, Bats and Bones day. Good times.


The Stella-bug and her Ikea bear. She was a little out of sorts at first.



Stella and the Bat. David said she wouldn't leave this poor thing alone and just kept following it around to get a hug.



Our very own Bruce Wayne...aka Batman. He'd wear the mask if you didn't pull it over his face.



Trying to distract his dad so as not to divulge the entrance to the batcave.

They had a great time. We'll post more on Saturday for the big event.

some Stella goodness

Stupid tunnel. Ladybug needs to get in the tunnel!!



Too excited about her $1.50 flannel pj's.



We can't all be morning people.



Trying on her brother's Halloween costume



Dun nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh BATMAN!!!

Cheeseburger?

So you want me to hold the tomato?

Fly High!

Trying to get another Falcon's win by showing our support. The one week they didn't wear this the team lost. Coincidence? I think not.




Stella also chants "Tony Tony Tony" for Tony Gonzales.

How I spent my summer vacation

Hi! Aaron here. My mom decided to let me do this posting since it's all about me. You'd think they never took pictures of me since my sister is such a ham but here's proof that they never put the camera down around me either.



I'm looking pretty good here in my hawaiian outfit. Anyone wanna cuddle up with me on the couch?



Here I am reading to one of my girlfriends, Deanna. I am pretty irresistible.



And here I am with my Nana. She's my great grandma and almost 90 years old! But it just goes to show you that I'm a hit with the young and old.



See! Here I am with my Nana and my PopPop. He's big Gus and I'm little Gus. My great Grandpa is awesome. I think I'm asking them for a pony in this picture.



Whew, playing with my great grandparents made me so tired. I fell asleep!!



Here I am running for the ocean. I like the beach a lot! My mom forgot my swim trunks. I guess it didn't occur to her that we would be swimming in Florida?



Listening to the tide roll in!



I'll see ya next year!

Love,

Aaron