Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we went to church with my family. After church we went back to Vanessa and Alex's house for dinner at their new house. Vanessa made a yummy dinner and lots of desserts! We had a great time hanging out together as usual!

After church we took a few quick pictures before we headed to Vanessa's house.

The girls looked so cute all dressed up in their jackets and hats!

The cook wearing her Mrs. Clause apron!

Rylee showing off her pretty dress.

Twirling around...she loves dresses!

A sweet one of Sadie Bear

Papa and Quincy looking so sharp in their suits.

Gramma and Papa with the grandkids

and with Uncle Brad

The kids also got to open presents from each other and Uncle Brad. Uncle Brad spoiled them all!

The hosts - thanks for a great night together!

Me and my sis!

Christmas at Kids Korner

Kids Korner (daycare) always has a Christmas party for the kids and families on the Friday before they close for Christmas week. Santa comes to see the kids (half of them like it and half don't).

Rylee was excited to see Santa and sit on Santa's lap again.

And Sadie was not. This picture really captured the moment. Poor Sadie is terrified, Rylee looks so concerned for her little sister, and Santa looks like he has no clue what to do.

She was a little better when I just held her by Santa. But she still looks SO sad.

Miss Jaime even got to sit on Santa's lap and get a present. All the parents and some of her family pitched in and got her an ipad.

Kids Korner always spoils the kids with lots of presents.

I have to say this year's party was the best one ever! Miss Jaime got all the parents gifts and we played a little white elephant game with them. There ended up being a hidden grand prize in one of them and I got it! It was a free week of tuition!!! For both girls too!!! I was SO excited and couldn't believe that I actually won it. That was incredibly nice of them and very appreciated!

Christmas Tree

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we headed to a local tree farm to pick out a tree. We had so much fun last year at this place so we decided to go back.

They have a barn full of trees so we started looking there first.

Then we headed outside to look.

Rylee picked out her favorite one. Then after we decided on one we headed back into the building for some hot chocolate, popocorn, and of course to see Santa.

Rylee was so much braver this year than last. She started off by just standing by him.

And then we thought maybe Sadie would join her...but not so much. She screamed, she was terrified of him.

So Rylee got on his lap by herself and told him what she wanted...games and barbies. I was surprised she said barbies cause she's never really played with them before...good thing Santa was listening.

Giving Santa high 5's and saying thank you.

Sadie was brave enough to give him a high 5. She also said "ho, ho, ho" for him. She says it so darn cute.

*Decorating the tree*

That night we decorated the tree. We let the girls help a little before they went to bed.

Deciding where to put the first ornaments

Rylee was really concentrating on picking just the right spot for her ornaments.

Sadie looking cute and innocent with her ornament...but really she wasn't so innocent. It didn't last long before we decided that was enough help from her.

Rylee loved decorating the tree!

Sisterly hugs

Yes, these are hugs and not a choke hold :)

I forgot to take a picture of the tree all decorated but you'll have to take my word that it was a great tree! I love the feeling in the house once all the Christmas decorations are up!

Thanksgiving in Chicago

For Thanksgiving day this year we went to my brother Brad's in Chicago. He has an awesome apartment in the middle of downtown Chicago, its great! Rylee loves going to see Uncle Brad and see all "his big towers" as she calls them. Thanksgiving day was pretty cold this year but we still went to the parade (or the last half of the parade). Rylee really enjoyed it! Sadie was all bundled up, and it was nap time, so needless to say she ended up falling asleep in her stroller. It was to cold to take a lot of pictures but I did get a few.

One of the many big floats

Rylee showing Sadie the cool float

Rylee ended up going on daddy's shoulders for part of the parade so she had a great view.

After the parade on our way back to Brad's we decided to stop and take some pictures by a few Christmas trees and huge ornaments.

The girls with Gramma and Grampa

Uncle Brad and his girlfriend Dana. Brad was such a great host! Its always fun to visit Chicago!

Rylee's 1st Haircut

Back in November I took Rylee in for her first "real" haircut. I have cut a little here and there but this was her first time getting it done at the hair "salon", or in her case Cookie Cutters. She got about 2 inches off in the back and just a trim everywhere else to even it up. She did so good! She sat so still the whole time and watched the girl cut it. She told the girl to not cut too much cause she still wants long hair.

Ready for her first haircut

I love those blond curls, I didn't want the lady to cut too much off either.

Just a little at a time.

There was a movie to watch but Rylee was more interested in watching the girl cut her hair.

The finished product! You can barely tell she got 2 inches off but she got rid of all the bad ends so that was nice.

All done and so proud!

Pretty girl!