Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Aunt Beckie comes for 2nd Christmas

Almost every year my sister Beckie comes to visit us for what we like to call 2nd Christmas. She brings out the family gifts from my parents and sisters, we save her gift from her and have a fun day (we even make Christmas breakfast of sourdough flapjacks).

Posing with a camel at the Washington DC Temple.

This time I got pictures in front of the tree in Christmas jammies.

Opening

The best present for an almost 1 year-old, cereal necklaces. Charlotte's cousins made them for her.

Excitement! Elanor was much more lively for this round of present opening.

Aunt Beckie and Elanor helping out.

What is it?

Her very own diaper bag.

Charlotte's turn again.


Sophie and her very own diaper bag.


Looking at her supplies.

Still at it with the necklace. Really, if you ever need a gift for a baby this is perfect.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Chronicles of Christmas 2010

Christmas this year was not picture perfect. Sophie began her school holiday a day early with a fever. I joined her in the sick club with the flu and Charlotte also had a fever. Andrew took the day off to care for us sickies and Elanor was his big helper. After spending all of Wednesday in bed, I was well enough to care for the girls on Thursday and luckily Andrew came home early. Friday we continued to get better even though Andrew had a few aches. Christmas Eve was spent doing our traditional activities. We had chocolate fondue for dinner, we started this tradition last year trying to add new traditions to the ones we already have.

Charlotte opening up her Christmas Eve present, pajamas for all. I had visions of taking a picture of the family in new pjs in front of the tree but it didn't happen.

Andrew is reading the story of our Savior's birth. It is a tradition carried on from my family.

Sophie loves to help with the Christmas story by acting it out with the Little People Nativity Set.
The girls went to bed pretty easily. Andrew and I had a quiet evening together.

Santa came to visit.

Our Christmas Tree
Sophie was pretty excited in the morning, she didn't get up until 8ish. Elanor was a different story, she woke up with a fever of 103.5, poor girl. Andrew gave her some medicine and we went downstairs to the tree. Sophie was super excited, Elanor was just there and Charlotte didn't know what was going on.
Poor Elanor had no energy to look at her stocking or open presents on her own. She melted chocolate in her hand.

Charlotte attempts to open a present. She didn't care for the job or the paper. Silly girl.

Dad helping out. After this present Andrew took her upstairs for a bath to help bring her fever down.

Sophie showing off her favorite story, Cinderella.

And her new doll. It wasn't an American Girl like she wanted but she loves her.

Playing with her new phone and hanging out with her snack dispenser.

While Andrew was giving El a bath, I started our traditional breakfast of sourdough flapjacks, eggs, sausage and orange juice. My parents started this tradition a long time ago and at some point when my siblings and I were old enough to cook they handed the job over to us. I don't think I was too helpful back then, I wanted to see my presents. I am so thankful to my parents for these traditions so I have part of my childhood every year on Christmas. And one day my girls will take over the cooking.

The rest of the day was spent opening presents, video chatting with family and relaxing.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Birthday Girl turned one (a week and a half ago)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLOTTE!


The slide show is fun to watch. I can't believe how much they grow the first year.





Cake. Let's just say Charlotte was quite dainty while eating her cake. No face in it. Oh well, she is just like her sisters in that aspect.







We are so happy to have Charlotte in our home. She is a happy, energetic baby. Her latest accomplishment is clapping her hands. She has started to feed herself using a spoon and really voices her opinion on certain foods. Her crawling has changed from army crawling to regular crawling and she is starting to cruise along the furniture. Poor Charlotte only has 2 teeth but boy is she good at eating most things. She ventured out in the snow for the first time and didn't appreciate being set down in it. Maybe next year.
We love you Charlotte