1st Nap

After my folks left in December we officially moved Mae downstairs. Wanted to have a week or so before Bob went back to school to make the bed transition. And yes, that is a 2-year old in a queen sized bed. She loves it and both girls are enjoying being downstairs.

She turned on the bedside light and grabbed some light reading on her own. That is a copy of "The Tales of Peter Rabbit".

Light Park!!

The girls *love* the Light Park. Mae still asks almost every day if we can go. I always tell her that it's not on, it's over for the year. She dejectedly replies, "Turn it back on, mommy. Please?!" I love going too and truly look forward to it every Christmas season.

Trying to get everyone in the picture. Tyler, where did you go? Audrey, come on!

Good job Audrey!

Now where did Tyler and Mae go?

Igloo!

There's everybody!! Mae, Etta, Audrey and Tyler.

Reading with Aunt Molly

Aunt Molly & Uncle Jim got the girls some fun books for Christmas. Mae has gotten really good about actually sitting and listening to whole books. To the point that now she wants to read all. the. time. But there are worse things, right?

Opening Gifts: Part II

On Christmas evening we headed up to Grandma Cathy's to open a few more things.

Mae got Sesame Street Little People. It has been a true hit!

Aunt Molly helped open up a few things. ;)

Etta got a fire truck. That is just the right size for Sesame Street! Bert & Ernie even fit in the cab!!

Always a few fun clothes!

Cousins

Bob was in charge of the camera Christmas evening. He was enjoying getting the shots from behind people. Artistic license and all.

Kellie, Mae, Etta.
Playing on Grandma Cathy's iPad. 

Payton, Kellie, Mae, Etta.
I love the contrasting hair colors.

Testing out the bow and arrows

I'm pretty sure Etta's favorite gift was the bow and arrows. I mean, she liked everything she got, but seriously? A bow with 2 arrows? What can beat that?

Learning how to shoot.

You've got to line it up.

Worst part? Retrieving your own arrows.

Mae just ran and ran and ran.

Etta later took the bow up to Grandpa Steve's. They were in the backyard testing it out. He said something like, "Yeah, you can shoot at me." She got him. In the face. He decided he maybe needed to get a little farther away, and not let her shoot him.

Christmas Morning

Both girls were quite excited for Christmas this year. It was a fun morning!

Sitting down for the stockings.

Getting help from dad.

Toy Story colored pencils.

Gift opening takes a lot concentration. This was a deck of Uno cards which has already gotten a lot of use!

Etta's present from Santa: A Thomas the Tank Engine Round House.

Mae digging into one of her books right away.

Mae's present from Santa: Little People Thanksgiving set.

And Mae helping daddy open a gift. A Noodle Head Sprinkler from Grandma Cynthia.

A Woman & Her Pitchfork

Don't mess with a woman and her pitch fork.

Just kidding.

 We did pitch fork fondue with steaks and chips and a deep fried turkey for Christmas Eve dinner this year. It was a delicious!

Montana Gothic

Gingerbread House

On Christmas Eve day, while Bob was putting up the loft bed and Mae was napping, Erik, Etta & I did our annual gingerbread houses. We used houses from Bountiful Baskets. I love Bountiful Baskets, but this was not really worth it. Next year back to milk cartons and graham crackers.

I don't remember what this look was. A smile while eating candy? But if you look in the background to the left you will see Grandpa Eddy unwrapping candy.

Dedicated work.

Adding some backyard guests.

For the campfire.

Very welcoming!

I would want to stay there!

On a side note...we put them outside to firm up. And the neighborhood squirrels feasted!

New Bed!

For Christmas Grandpa Steve built Etta a loft bed. And Grandma Cynthia bought a new mattress.

And boy was it a hit.

Instant fort. So. Much. Easier. than trying to build any forts in our house ever before.

Aaaaaaugh! No grown ups allowed!

Gingerbread Men...& angels & lights &....

While waiting for Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle to arrive the Saturday before Christmas I decided it would be the best for me best for Etta, if The Girls came down to help the time pass. I decided Gingerbread cookies would be a fun, hands on way to go. And it was!

Working next to Jackie. With her hair in a pony Etta looks so grown up!

Mae, turn your head so mommy can get a picture of your braid for Aunt Molly!

Ready to go! (Look at Mae's face. Seriously, can she look any more like me?!)

Hi! You want to take a picture of my flour face? Okay.

And then The Girls took Etta to the track while Mae was napping so that they could run - at least four - laps. They ran/walk 10!! That's 2.5 miles. My girl, she's a runner!