One more Christmas celebration...

Saturday night we celebrated Christmas with John's family. Katie got a cradle for her baby dolls and fell right into "Mommy" mode. - Her cousins were in town too and she had so much fun with them!! I remember how fun it was to visit with cousins, (Kelley!) and I'm so glad she gets to experience that too. Margaret is the cousin in the picture at the bottom. Maybe at our next get-together we'll try for a picture of ALL the girls together.

The Artist

What a talented little artist I have! She really does take after her Grandma. The easel has definitely been her favorite Christmas gift. She spent some time painting, and of course using the dry erase board. She is drawing these "people" on her own!!

Smoky Mountain Christmas

We spent the Christmas holiday with my family this year. It was so much fun with Katie... she was excited about everything thing we did. Here are a handful of pictures from our extended weekend.


Watching Grandpa's Choo Choo Train



Blowing bubbles with Aunt Patty






Baking a birthday cake for Jesus



Opening a present on Christmas Eve



Playing with Daddy's M&M car






Playing on the new Sit-n-Spin



Leaving treats for Santa and the reindeer



A new doll house on Christmas morning.

A new piano!

The Little Artist - I have to brag here. Notice the artwork: I drew the little red faces, and then Katie added the bodies and arms. I was impressed with her efforts. Of course.

My Little Christmas Angel

Let it Snow!!!

We got several inches of snow the past two nights, so we took advantage of that today. John, Katie and myself went out in the back yard and built a snowman!! Katie worked hard on it for the first five minutes or so, then she quickly found other things to do while John and I finished up. Of course she got to "dress" the snowman at the end.

When that was done we played some more and then I taught Katie how to make a snow angel. She would have stayed out there all day if I had let her.

Yes, Virgina, There Is A Santa Claus

Last night we took a fun trip downtown to look at the window decorations at Macy's. (John, Katie, John's parents, and myself.) There were several decorated windows, and it all told the story of Virgina writing to the newspaper with her doubts of Santa Claus. It was really cute and Katie loved watching it all. (There was lots of animation.) There was also a window that was an entire city of trains!! - After that we went to a small candy store that's been around for almost 100 years, and we all had ice cream and candy.

O Christmas Tree

Tonight was the night we put up our tree. Katie was EXTREMELY excited to get our tree. And she did such a great job of being careful with the ornaments and hanging them on the tree. I also gave her the job of arranging the nativity scene. I believe she will be playing with that on a daily basis.

Winter Wonderland

This video is just for sound. I've been singing 'Winter Wonderland' to Katie at bedtime, and I wanted to tape her singing it with me. So, the video is black because the lights are out, but the best part is listening to her sing with me. - It was my favorite song that my mom sung to me, so hopefully Katie will feel the same way.

Just Pictures

At a Christmas Party

Playing Dress Up at Home

Story Time

I found Katie reading stories to our doggie this morning. When she was all done, I asked her to sing to the doggie with me. Too cute!!

Mall Full of Fun

This morning we went to a mall with Laurie and Allison. This mall had quite a variety of things for the girls to do... a play ground, some ride ons, a carousel and a choo-choo train. Not to mention Santa, which neither of the girls was very interested in today. - I believe we were all four wore out by the time we left there!

You probably can't tell, but Katie is beginning a terrified, screaming cry as this picture was snapped. The train was just pulling away and she was having second thoughts about how much fun it would be. The lady controlling it was nice enough to stop the train and let me get on and ride with her. She was much happier after that.

All I Want For Christmas...

Yesterday while we were at Walmart, we heard that Santa was there. So, we went to find him so Katie could get her picture taken with him. I actually thought she was going to sit on his lap, but as soon as we walked up she made it clear she didn't want to. She still got to tell him what she wanted for Christmas, which is a piano. - She has told us this a few times now, and the first time she said it, I showed her the toy piano she has and she said, "No, a big piano, like Grandma's." Whoa! The first gift she ever asks for is a REAL piano. Hmmm... Well, it didn't take Daddy long to work his way over to the toy department and find the next best thing: an electronic keyboard. I can't wait to see her face Christmas morning!!

Coloring

Although I brag about my little cutie to my family, I try not to go on and on about her to everyone else. However, I can't resist this time. I scanned two pictures that she colored today. The past couple of weeks when she colors, she really takes her time and does an excellent job!! I don't know how well a 2 year old should really be doing, but in my eyes, I'm totally impressed!!!

She even colors in her car seat!

She used her left hand and right hand both on this one.

I colored the kite on this, but she did everything else.