Christmas Festivities

We had a wonderful Christmas celebration!  It's been a whirlwind of fun and family, but I am finally getting the chance to look back on all of our pictures.  Here are the highlights...

It all started the weekend before Christmas.  We didn't have anything on the calendar, so we spent all of Saturday together as a family of three.  We did some shopping (we had our Christmas shopping done, so it was nice to just meander the stores, not in a rush!).  Then we headed to Macy's to the 7th floor "A Day in the Life of an Elf."  Anna loved it.  We weren't sure how it was going to go, as she had been sleeping right before we got there, but once we got through the line and inside, she was in heaven! 

Waiting in line with Daddy. 

 Loving the Christmas trees!

 After the Elf fun, we got a giant sugar cookie.  Anna was very excited about her cookie!

 Taking her big bite!

 Daddy got a white chocolate dipped Rice Krispie bar.....

Taking his big bite!

 Mommy wanted to join in the big bite fun too!

 We relaxed for a bit by the fountain in the IDS building.  It was chilly outside, so it was nice to let Anna run and enjoy some time inside. 

 After our cookies, we hit up the book store and did a little more shopping before settling in for pizza at Pizza Luce.  YUM. 

 After filling our bellies with pizza we headed back outside to the Holidazzle Parade.  We got front curb spots and froze our hinies off, but it was well worth the good spot and fun parade. 

 The rest of our weekend before Christmas was spent finishing up our wrapping of presents.  Anna even had some work to do: 

 She accidentally stole this froggy from Grandma Lynn's car when we went to Cedar Rapids over Thanksgiving, so she wrapped it up for Christmas.  She cut the paper all by herself.  (This girl could sit and cut paper for hours...literally.  She has.)

 Lots of tape!

 A bit too much paper, more cutting needed!

 Trouble with the tape...just cut with the scissors. 

 Almost done.

 Final product!  Grandma will love it!  (And she did.)

 The next week was a short week at school and work, so we headed to Iowa on Thursday night.  We woke up Friday morning and had "Christmas morning" with Grandma Lori and Papa Randy.  Anna had crazy hair because of her fancy braids from the night before!

 Santa even made an early stop over at their house to give Anna an early present from his sack.  She was very excited he was there, but didn't show her enthusiasm until after he left. 

"He's behind me, isn't he?"

 Family photo with Santa.

 When Papa Randy got back (he had to go to the grocery store and missed Santa!), Anna gave him his present.  She also reported when asked what Santa brought her, "He didn't bring a Barbie."  But he did bring her a fun game!  And little did she know, he was saving the Barbie to drop off at her house Christmas morning!

 Anna had fun opening the rest of her presents at Papa Randy and Grandma Lori's house later that day.  She got a new Baby Alive that she named Marie.  She loves "feeding" her and changing her diapers. 

 She also really loved reading lots of books with everyone!

 Anna and Baby Marie. 

 Saturday was our Christmas celebration with Papa Dave and Grandma Lynn and Aunt Kate and Uncle James.  Anna had a lot of fun being spoiled by everyone and eating lots of cookies. 

She got new princess undies. 

 And here she is getting her first look at her first Barbie!  WOW!  Just like the big girls at Sandra's house. 

 And Barbie clothes!  Oh boy, we're officially a Barbie house. 

 Sunday before we headed back north to see if Santa hit our house, Anna got to run in the yard with the puppy Bailey...not often do you get a picture like this on Christmas Day in Iowa!

 Christmas morning with Grandma Lori. 

 When we got home to our house, Anna was thrilled to see that Santa hadn't forgotten her!  He had been here and left a lot of loot!  I didn't get many pictures during the opening, we just got video, but I did take a few pictures of the aftermath. 

 She added two more Barbies and a car to her Barbie collection.  Aunt Amy and Uncle Jason got her Ballerina Barbie and Santa brought her Computer Engineer Barbie...can you tell which is which in the cool car? 

Anna also got dress up clothes, a fishing pole and tackle box from Daddy, Uno Moo and a Fishing Game, some clothes and a new hat! 

 After playing dress up with her new Princess dress clothes and cruising around with her new Barbie car, Anna helped mommy make some supper, and we decided it was a good chance to sport our new aprons from Grandma Lynn. 

It was a wonderful Christmas weekend. 

Whew.  And those were just the highlights through Christmas Day! 

We have had a lot of fun since then, with lots of visits from friends and another trip to Iowa!  We'll save that for our next post.