Opening Gifts

We started the snowy Christmas morning opening gifts at our house. It was an exciting day for us all. The girls really understood what was going on this year, so they were bursting with anticipation to see what gifts they had gotten. One of their favorites was the train set.

They also received their very own computers and a large playhouse (not pictured), but that won't be able to be used for a few more weeks now.

Pa braved the tremendous amounts of snow and ice on the roads to pick us up and drive us to his and Momo's house later that day. There they received lots more toys, clothes, dress-up costumes, and games. The three-story barbie house was a big hit. They loved the elevator.

Abigail loved the firefighter outfits the last time we went to P.A.T. play date. Someone must have told Santa because she got one of those along with a police officer and train conductor for Christmas.

Nana got snowed on the mountain in Hanna, so we were unable to see her or my side of the family for a few days. Once there, we celebrated and spent the night opening gifts, eating, and playing with cousins.

Out of all the fun toys they received, the girls fought over Lorelai's baby xylophone.

Play Group

We finally made it back to another play group this week. The girls were really excited about getting out and playing with friends. They had a blast doing crafts, puzzles, and pretending. Abigail completing her craft. She decorated her Christmas tree by peeling and sticking stickers.

Emily decorated her Christmas tree by using glue and "sparkly jewels".

The table was filled with Fruit Loops today. Emily tried her hand at stringing them on a pipe cleaner to make a candy cane while Abigail preferred to scoop and pour.

Emily working the fire truck puzzle. It was very difficult. Ms. Carman and I had to work together to figure it out after Emily was finished working it her own way.

Abigail working the vehicle puzzle. She had to go around the table and work each of the 6 puzzles laid out.

Both girls love to work with tools. Today they fixed the sink and the wall behind the sink. Apparently, there was leak.

Emily cutting food.

Emily (bottom) and Abigail (top two pictures) riding a bike. Safety Tip # 7 "Always wear a helmet" (Officer Buckle and Gloria; Their favorite bed time story right now and two weeks ago)

They worked together to build a "castle" taller than they are.
Emily spent a lot of time playing with the shape sorter.

The girls sharing and paying nice with this sorting toy!

Emily playing with the doll house.Abigail absolutely loved the fire fighter outfit. She said, "I look like a REAL fire fighter!" Then, she cried when we had to leave it there. I told her maybe Santa would bring her one that we could keep at our house. I guess I've got more Christmas shopping to do...
Snack time; sugar cookies and apple juice.


Emily loves to play with pretend kitchen toys. Here she told me she needed to wash her hands.

Story Time with Santa

Santa made a special trip to Hardesty Public Library to read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to us. Before he made his highly anticipated entrance, a nice librarian read us other books like "Ginger Bread Pirate" and "Santa's Stowaway" and we sang songs using bells. The girls were pretty excited to see Santa, but really wanted to go to the children's area and check out the beautiful animals and read books themselves.

The Christmas Train

Our family went to visit The Christmas Train at Dry Gulch last weekend. It was the perfect evening to spend outdoors with the ones you love.

We first waited in line to ride the train. It was a long line, but moved very quickly. We were able to view the train as we waited, which kept the girls occupied.
Next, we received our boarding passes and waited inside the depot (big, yellow station, as Abigail and Emily call it) for our turn to board.
Uncle Bryan, Aunt Traice, Lorelai, Nana, Emily, Poppy, Alesha, Josh, and Abigail

Once on the train, the girls were excited to get going.

We watched the amazing story of creation and the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They had beautiful billboards, live scenes, and narration depicting the story throughout the ride. The girls were very interesting in watching it all unfold.

Next, we rode the carousel, took a horse drawn wagon ride through the story "T'was the Night Before Christmas, played on the play ground, and walked around the town.

By the end of the night, the girls were too exhausted to walk back to the car, so Daddy carried our two 37 pound daughters through the parking lot.