Christmas 2008

Can't wait to put that X-mas tree away so I can stop fishing the baby out from under it! I hid a couple gifts way behind it, but that little bugger found them!

Meeting Santa at my parents house.

Dinner at my brother's. Was having too many cocktails to stop and grab the camera very often...

An advertisement for Gerber Puffs.





Cuddling with Papa.

Our Santa pic 2008. A considerable improvement from years past when we got clear shots of Claudia's tonsils. Amelia looks stoned and Claudia has 1 foot out the door.

The train ride was more fun.

Playing with Nana and Papa's gift: Dress up!

Ready to bake cookies for Santa on X-mas Eve.





She actually WAS having a good time despite her lack of a shirt and head in her hand.

Eating her creations.



Leaving cookies, milk, and a note for Santa.

Realizing Santa actually did come!

Her princess castle/tent/tunnel thingy.

Tigger and Pooh giant coloring book.

Diego puzzle

Probably her favorite gift of them all: her Doodle Pro

Mega Bloks...which Mommy is already annoyed by the thought of cleaning up all 180 of them on a daily basis.

Modeling her Mickey Mouse Clubhouse coloring book.

Her dollhouse...and reaction that really bummed Mommy out. Mommy was really pulling for this gift to be her favorite. Sigh.

Forcing her to love, hug, and embrace the dollhouse.

Claudia bought Mimi this penguin. Her school had a Santa workshop where the teacher's took the kids around and had them pick out gifts for the important people in her life. I got a 'World's Greatest Mommy' magnetic frame and Ed got a '#1 Dad' pen.

Grandma Kemp's gift which rivals her Doodle Pro as #1 Christmas gift.

Elmo piano book from Grandma Kemp, as well.

Puzzles from Aunt Mindy and Uncle Matt.

Dress up stuff from Aunt and Uncle M&M

My Little Pony Book Puzzle from Uncle Eric and Aunt Holly.

You love your dollhouse. You love your dollhouse.

Princess tunnel/tent/castle thingy.

Amelia dodging a kiss.

My 3 princesses.

A push toy from Aunt Mindy and Uncle Matt.

Playing catch up

Haven't posted in a while so I thought it would be a good time to catch up before the overload of pics that Christmas brings.

Not much new going on around here. Just gearing up to travel to visit my family on Friday and then our 1st Christmas at home! We're usually at my parents for Christmas, but since Claudia's getting to an age where she 'gets' Christmas more and more, we want her to sleep in her own bed on X-mas Eve and open presents from under her own tree. We're so excited to start new family traditions that are uniquely ours. We get to stay in our PJ's (although Ed nixed my grand idea of matching family PJ's :( ) all day long and feast, drink, and play. With no pressure to have to get showered and ready to be anywhere else. Ahhh, it's nice having a family of your own.

So I'll get to the pics! Lots, as usual.

The joys of a mobile baby: She now follows me around and whines at the kitchen threshold the entire time I make dinner. Fun!

Cool baby!

Of course Claudia had to have her pic taken, too.

A blatant vanity shot. Back to blonde and getting my groove back!



As you can see by the look on her face, Claudia LOVES using the potty. She actually peed in the potty!



A cruel lesson in trying to pull up on things:

Luckily, she thought it was hysterical.

Taking a lot after her big sister, 'I can do it MYSELF!'

Claudia's new freakish thing which Mommy loathes: crossing her eyes for pictures.

Our friend's little girl exchanged gifts with our girls this past weekend.



Rachel is Claudia's very 1st friend from daycare. Even though Claudia doesn't go anymore, we all still get together.

Sharing some cookies and milk.

Best buds!

Claudia and her BFF Gia also exchanged gifts.



The babies loved the wrapping paper. X-mas morning should be a hit!

Doing what girls to best: SHRIEK!