Dress Up Fun

It's Getting Hot in Here

Xbox is very challenging, so much so that sometimes it gets so hot you have to take off all your clothes.

Funny Boy

Notice the photobomb in the background. ha.  

Elf Magic

Batty and Peppermiz showed up at the house this year, again.  Although they weren't very on top of their game like last year, no notes or anything like that.   I think that was because we went to Disney the first week of the month, so I am chalking it up to that. I think they will be back in full force next year.  Here are some of the things they did this year...

At disney 

zip lining 

with gifts for Dylan and Natalie...Pascal and Tinkerbell

Little happies for the trip

They painted Dylan's nose again this year.  He wasn't upset by it this year. 

Replaced our stockings with our underwear

 Marshmallow bubble bath

Self Portraits

 Wrapped up the toilet

 Photocopies

 Sprinkle Angels

Happy Birthday Jesus and Merry Christmas

Christmas morning the kids slept in.  I like this trend kids, keep it up.  

 Our tradition is 3 gifts (sometimes the gifts can be bundled to create one gift) but overall 3 gifts.

Dylan's 3 gifts were and xbox kinect, bug collection and a dragon.  (He asked for the bug collection and the dragon but the xbox was a complete surprise.

Natalie's 3 gifts were hummer power wheel (that I got at a garage sale back in the summer for $12), a baby doll and a shopping cart....along with stuff in her stocking.

After our Christmas morning, we headed to Grandmother's house for Christmas lunch, which is my favorite as it's all appetizers. 

 Trying to get a good pic of the kids again....epic fail.  Thank you Dylan for smiling and looking at the camera.

 Now Natalie by herself, I get big smiles. 

with Nana

Why can't it just work out for once?

Ever notice you try to get a good, sweet picture of your kids and inevitably, it never works out for them.  One is looking away, one is not smiling, one is picking his nose...you get the picture right.  I guess it's still making memories.

I just wanted a sweet Christmas eve picture in front of the tree.

and finally...

Christmas Eve with the Family

 We've hosted Christmas eve at our house the past 2 years and it's been nice.  Selfishly on my part, it's nice not to have to load up the presents and travel.  I enjoy hosting it, really I do.

Thankfully Nanny and Granddaddy were able to make it. Nanny has been having medical issues lately and falling a lot.  She ended up having to have surgery on her shoulder and recovery has been rough.  I love how I captured Nanny and Granddaddy holding hands.  I know he's been a rock for her during the time.

    

Natalie has finally figured out what presents are and she jumped right in to the excitement.

Smiles of pure joy

And as Christmas tradition carries on, Damien and Billy got their Christmas underwear from my mom. 

 Dylan got several masks for Christmas from Paw Paw and Nana so all the kids tried one on. Here we have iron man...

 The incredible hulk...

 and Captain America...

 Santa made an appearance. We had the girls go to the backdoor and knock on it and yell, "here doggie doggie". Then Santa came up on the back porch. The girls screamed so loud. They ran for the lives. We all had a good laugh.

 Even after Trinity discovered it was only Paw Paw, she was still too scared to go to him.

Getting Dylan to pose with Santa wasn't that big of an ordeal like it has been in years past.   However to get Natalie in the picture, my mom had to sneak her in like they were looking at the tree. Yep, this is as good as it gets with Natalie. 

After Santa left, the girls were back to being happy. 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Our gym had a 90 day fitness challenge. I entered it thinking that it would be a great way for me to get  motivated and learn some new things from the personal trainer.  Well guess who ended up winning.....ME!  I lost 16lbs and 5.8% body fat.  Who would have ever guessed it.  For winning, I got $150. Score!

Just in time for the holidays too.  Here's Damien and I at his work Christmas party.  I felt fabulous.  Hard work pays off.