First SNOW!

Well, we didn't quite get the blizzard we were expecting here north of Indianapolis- although Old Man Winter did bring quite a bit of snow today.  We were able to brave the road to Sheridan this evening to spend time with the Kingsley-Hubbard clan and took the girls out in the snow.  While Audrey couldn't get enough of the sledding, Alice spent her time making one snow angel after another.  And with the weather forecast, I think we will have plenty of time over break to enjoy the first snow of the season :)

Merry Christmas!

You don't realize how much preparation goes into Christmas morning until you're a parent.  The magical Christmas morning is amazing, and the girls are at a prime age for all the Santa excitement.  We had a busy day - woke up @ 6:00 am for presents at our house, then to Sheridan, then to Wabash, and back to Noblesville as Indy is expecting a major blizzard beginning tomorrow morning (snow pictures to come I'm sure as I got a new camera lens for Christmas!!!!).  Here are a few pictures from our memorable day!  

Audrey's Christmas list was short:  DRUMS & Cookies.  How could we work around that???  She was SO excited to find her little drum set by the tree this morning.  Looks like Andy and I will need to invest in some earplugs :)  

The theme this year for Alice was her American Girl Doll - she loved all the accessories Santa brought her (especially the hair styling salon)

My first (ahem) IU ornament - Hey, if you can't beat 'em . . . 

So excited the Hubbard family is in town this year!

Audrey tried to check out the camera before passing out on the way to Wabash. . . 

Once you have drums, why not throw a harmonica into the mix?  

Merry Christmas!

Family Photos

In an attempt to get an updated picture of the girls (all 4 cousins on my side), we planned for pictures over Thanksgiving break when my brother and his family were in town.  However, either Audrey looked like this: 

OR, Sophie looked like this: 

Pictures with 2 year olds are never easy, but were were able to get several good shots in between the crying and fit throwing :)  

Sophie: 2 1/2; Maddie 7 months

Love this picture of Alice

Family Hug or as we call it. "Alice & Audrey Sandwich!"

The one and only picture of all 4 girls (the piano was a nice distraction)

"Hey Maddie, want me to tell you a secret?"

"Ahh . . .  babies never listen . . . "

Love this little girl1

Outside Modocks Market

At Santa's House

We paid a visit to Santa's house this afternoon.  I thought Audrey would warm up to Santa this year.  She practice asking him for her #1 (and only) item on her list from Santa - DRUMS (can you sense my excitement about bringing drums into my house!?)  Anyway, she was pumped about her visit, chanting, "Ho, Ho, Ho. Merry Christmas!" all morning in preparation of meeting the man who brings the toys.  

We waited almost an hour to visit Santa.  It was a warm afternoon thankfully!

 

Well, lets just say this year . . . 

wasn't much different for Audrey than last year.  

OR. . . the year before that!  

Audrey was able to calm herself down shortly after and whisper to Santa (from several feet away of course) that she wanted him to bring her drums on Christmas morning.  

Alice of course had no issues with Santa and talked to him a bit about her "American Girl Doll" items on her list.  

Andy later walked the girls a few streets over to see the Polar Express Train.  We hear this train from our house and Audrey is obsessed   

Do you think these girls have Santa on the mind?  

9 days and counting!  

Happy Thanksgiving

I hosted Thanksgiving for the first time in our new home.  Cook, clean, eat.   Cook, clean, eat. Although it was definitely busier hosting the holiday, I felt a new sense of maturity so to speak.  It was our first combined family holiday, and we were lucky to have my brother and his family visiting the week prior to Thanksgiving.  Maddie is now 7 months (and such a great, easy-going baby!) and Sophie is only 5 weeks older than Audrey.  The girls spent the week dressing up in princess (and Spiderman) costumes.   Both girls loved on baby Maddie, and Audrey was very sweet and gentle with her.

I sent the boys and the kids to the park in on Thanksgiving morning (a 60 degree afternoon) - to get the house toys back in order.

And, Grandpa Bean thinks he's young enough to try the spinner  . . :)

The boys came back to take charge of the turkeys (yes, we had 2!)  

Looking forward to celebrating many more combined holidays in our new home.  Happy Thanksgiving!