Curtis Family and Aunt Willys Visit

Caroline and "her" Uncle Michael

Lesley, Aunt Willys and Michael
Essie, Caroline and Eleanor -how many pictures does it take to get three girls to smile at a camera?


Apparently too many b/c we never got one!
Aunt Willys and Eleanor
Aunt Willys and Caroline
Opening presents
Essie and Eleanor playing together
Aunt Sonia with the girls

My brother, Michael, and his family came to visit while he was in town on business. While here, my Aunt Willys (my dad's sister) from Abilene came to see us all, too. It was so much fun to see Caroline, Eleanor and Essie (23 months) together again and have my aunt there, too. We don't get much time together since Michael and his family are living in Angola for the past 18 months. Caroline was SO excited to see her great Aunt Willys. She brought her upstairs right away to show Aunt Willys her bedroom and had a picture waiting that she colored for her earlier that morning. The girls exchanged their Christmas presents and had some playtime. After opening presents and breakfast, Caroline, Eleanor and Essie put on the dresses that Grandma made for them for a little photo session on the front porch. Thanks so much for driving so far for such a short visit Aunt Willys. It was so nice to see you and have you spend time with the girls! Come back anytime! Essie, we can't even imagine how big you'll be next time we see you again!

CHRISTMAS DAY!!

The dollhouse
Mommy and her girls who never want to look at the camera
Yes, she is saying, "Chee!"
Band in a box from Nana and Papa
"BABA!" from Grandma and Grandpa
Great Aunt Sue's Apron. So cute!
Caroline can use hers while using her Easy Bake Oven from Nana and Papa
Cootie game from grandpa and grandma
Skirt from Grandpa
"BABA!" from nana and papa
Eleanor's puppy from Santa
Caroline's bike from Santa

SANTA CAME! Caroline was incredibly excited when she woke up this morning! She could not get downstairs fast enough! Lucky we had the camera ready to video and take pictures of her discovering what Santa left. Some of her favorite things were her new Barbie bike, Cootie game, Leapster 2 game system and games, band in a box, dollhouse, Sleeping Beauty and baby my little pony! Santa was also good to Eleanor. She got many new books, two new baby dolls, Clipo activity table, "Spotty" the pull dog and some play cars and a busy ball popper! They were both thrilled!!

Christmas Eve

Santa came!
Spreading reindeer food with daddy.
Mommy reading us a book before bed, Merry Christmas, Curious George!
We get new Christmas PJs every Christmas Eve!

Caroline is SOOO excited for Santa to come tomorrow! She is hoping for a bike, dollhouse, musical instruments, a baby my little pony, and a Leapster 2. We'll see what Santa brings her. Eleanor would be happy with any books ("buhbuh!"), dolls ("babas!") and dog anything ("DAH!"). I'm sure will think they have both been good little girls this year. Just to ensure that Caroline left our M&M cookies, milk, and salad (yes, salad, "NOT just carrots!") for Santa and Rudolph. She also spread "Reindeer Food" that she made at school out in the backyard with Brett before going to bed to "help guide the reindeer to our house".

iWOW

The "snowhill" the kids could go sledding down with snow.
For some unknown reason Caroline felt the need to sit in Eleanor's stroller after getting her Rudolph balloon hat.
Daddy with the girls at the festival.
Mommy and the girls hanging out with Frosty.

We took the girls to a winter festival down by the waterway, iWOW (International Winter on the Waterway). THey had a great time playing, eating, watching Santa arrive by boat and playing with their friends. 

Visiting Santa

Caroline was very excited to go see Santa. She was ready to tell him that she wanted a bike for Christmas. She got a little nervous at the last minute, but ended up sitting on his lap and chatting it up with him for about 5 min. She was asking him all about what his favorite cookies are and if he really likes to drink milk with his cookies. Eleanor was NOT happy to be put on Santa's lap. Caroline was trying to explain to her later that telling Santa what you want for Christmas is how you get your presents under the tree!

Christmas Card Pictures

We went to a local park to take some pictures of the girls to use for our Christmas cards. It was a lot of work that involved many threats, bribes and promises, but I think we got some good ones!

Daddy's 34th BIrthday

Brett turned 34 today! We celebrated with Chinese food. Caroline enjoyed the sweet and sour pork (a.k.a. Chinese Chicken Nuggets accompanied by Chinese ketchup for our picky eater!). I made Brett's favorite chocolate raspberry cake, too.