Christmas 2011!

We had such a memorable Christmas this year!  Having kids really makes Christmas ten times more fun than it already is. We really enjoyed watching Isabelle's excitement for Santa and the joy Christmas morning brought to her. Mark had so much fun exploring all his new presents even though he really didn't know what was going on. It's moments like these that make you love everything about being a parent!

The boys on Christmas eve day enjoying some football.

Mark performed a Christmas solo on the piano for the family....

....while Isabelle and Noah rocked out a major performance of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" using nothing better than the old tennis racquet guitar!

Isabelle: "I see Santa up there. See him?"
Noah: "Yes, he's with the reindeer! I see him."
Isabelle: "Yeh, Rudolph!"
Noah: "Santa's coming! Santa's coming!"

Mark and will interacting. So sweet to watch them.

Will, Auntie Nellie, and endurance crawler Mark ready to go with his stylin glasses.

Mark hard at work helping Papa with the dishes.

I'd like to say this is a photo of Belle and Noah taking turns riding the bike around the house, however taking turns and sharing toys was a bit difficult for two three year old cousins, especially new Christmas toys.

 

 Sharing was much easier for two cousins a couple years younger! (some little one got a hold of the camera and smeared dirty hands on the lens. That's why this photo is all fuzzy)

Although it was hard to share some toys, this didn't stop Noah and Belle from having the best time ever together, especially while sledding in Nana and Papa's backyard. We got a few good laughs watching them bounce around like crazy and hearing Noah shout, "yep, we're okay!" after each ride.

Opening a few presents Christmas eve!

 

Belle wrote a note to Santa which I should rewrite here because it was hilarious, but it's a little long given it comes from a certain girl who talks more than anyone I know. She was so wiped out from the day that she barely could get cookies, a carrot, and milk ready for Santa. She was really excited when Santa wrote back and ate his cookies. (A little secret: before Santa could get to the cookies and little furry black and white creature with four paws managed to eat one and half of the cookies! Luckily Santa caught her before it was all gone.)

Busted.....

Christmas Morning!
Santa brought Isabelle a dollhouse which was a hit for both kids.

Santa brought Mark his first big truck!

And his first Christmas ornament. "Look mom and dad!"

Isabelle giving Sierra a little assistance with her stocking. Mmmmm.....dentasticks. That'll cover up the cookie breath.

Another big hit. Isabelle's first ballet outfit to go along with her ballet lessons (they started today and it was beyond cute. More on that another time).

After Christmas at the cabin.

Lots and lots of sledding in all the snow.

 

Pulling her brother down the road. She got about 10 feet before claiming he was too heavy.

Warming up by the fire and Mark doing everything possible to break our protective barrier. Not going to happen little guy!

Finishing up the Christmas cookies that we didn't get to.

Learning more about trucks and how they work.

We had such a great time as a family this Christmas! I was sad for Christmas to end and really sad when the tree came down because that officially meant it was over. It was such a happy month for us all. Now, we all need to get healthy after getting our first experience of the family passing of the horrible winter cold! It went from one person, to the next, to the next, to the next. We're excited for January, our month of birthdays!! The fun never ends!