Julie's 1st (and Reese's 4th) Christmas

Ok, I'm trying to slowly catch back up with reality, but apparently I'm about a month behind :-). Christmas itself was wonderful. Reese was finally old enough to be really excited about Santa Claus coming, but not so old that she thought of waking up early to open her presents. Santa's gifts were all very loved by Reese - including the gifts for Julie! Her favorites were a tent with a tunnel and her new baby doll (who she named Baby Happy), but her new fountain toy and bubble-making monkeys for the bath tub are also well-loved. Luckily Julie didn't mind her big sister playing with all of her new toys. She was just excited to be passed around between all of her aunts, uncles, and cousins. After opening Santa's gifts, we enjoyed a delicious brunch with my side of the family. We then opened more gifts, took naps, and had dinner with Todd's parents. It was a very fun day filled with family and presents. By the end I was a little panicked about how we were going to get all of our things back home. I still don't know how we managed to fit all of our things into the Protege.

Reese opening her presents

Reese and Baby Happy

Through the tunnel...

Julie (and Reese) playing with her new cups

My girls enjoying Christmas together

A happy little princess

Mommy and Julie

Our gingerbread house - and yes, that is a tree on the roof...

More Cookies and a Penguin Parade

The week before Christmas was filled with fun with friends and family in Cincinnati. We went in a day early in order to dodge the possible snow heading for the area. Reese especially enjoyed baking and decorating cookies with GrandJan and her female cousins on Wednesday (she was particularly excited about rolling out the cookie dough with her special "Reese Roller" - a small rolling pin just for her!). Later that night,, Reese continued visiting with her cousins who graciously volunteered to babysit while all of the adults went out for dinner at Bucca di Beppo's (well, all of the adults and Julie who can't be separated from mommy for too long since she is refusing to have anything to do with a bottle). It was a nice night away from cutting up food and eating while the food was still warm. Julie did beautifully as always and Reese had fun with her cousins.

On Thursday we enjoyed a visit to the aquarium with Grandma and Grandpa with a special "Penguin Parade" to open the day. The penguins (from Africa and therefore able to come out in the lobby of the aquarium without getting uncomfortable) were pushed around on a little penguin-mobile while a worker did a little presentation for the kids. It was cute. 

Friday was  Christmas Eve and was filled with baths and showers and Christmas dresses that I must have forgotten to take pictures of... Mass was PACKED, but we luckily found two seats in the choir loft. After Mass, we had dinner with family. All too soon it was time for Reese to put on her Christmas pajamas and head to bed while visions of sugarplums danced in her head (and by sugarplums, I mean Santa Claus and the impending delivery of toys). I will include pictures of the big Christmas morning event on my next post.  

Making cookies with GrandJan

Julie enjoyed herself, too

Daddy and Reese at the aquarium

Grandpa and Julie

the Penguin Parade!