Piano movers

We have traveled all over this past week.  We are pulling into Nonna and V's for an overnight now.  ML usually falls asleep about 15 minutes from our destination...

We rented a trailer to take the piano back to our home.  It is a little strange to think of their house without it, but I know the girls will love learning to play.  Now how will we unload it!?!?

Chi curls

I have this new app that the girls wanted to try out.  It's hard to explain how a photo booth works...They did both ask for Chi curls in their hair today too.  They both loved having curly hair for the day.

Gigi's house

We left Brad's and arrived at Gigi's this afternoon.  The girls waited patiently until after dinner to open our gifts.  ML is opening a Minnie that is almost the same size as she is!

Enjoying our last day!

ML has quickly confiscated the karaoke machine.  (I think another microphone is an easy solution!)

And she pouts when it isn't her turn.

Stinker!

Jordie and Hal took the girls outside for some sunset shots.  We used to be able to hold both girls, it's really hard now though!

Love these girls all together!!

Scooters!

Now ML can keep up with her sister.  We did a quick ride before the rain came in today.

Christmas day

There is so much to post about today.  ML asked for a scooter, a phone and an iPad.  When she came downstairs she was a little unsure about her gifts and spend some time on my lap or Matt's.

Anna Grace asked for pajamas and was quick to dig into the stocking to see what else was in there.

She quickly got tired of waiting for all the rest of us though!

She was even quick to offer a slap bracelet to her sister who didn't get as many as she did.

AG got a karaoke machine from her Nonna and V.

We couldn't wait to get it plugged in and working.

By then the cupcake was zooming the hallway on her scooter.

I joked after the Heisman that Matt had gotten his Christmas present early.  So my mom wrapped his gift in the article.  :)

ML also got some headphones, which she insisted on from Nonna.  We weren't sure what she will use them for, but that karaoke might be the perfect spot!

Christmas Eve part 2

We always go to midnight mass.  Every year, my brother tries to talk me out of it for one reason or another.  I put the girls to bed and when I came upstairs to get ready for photos, I found this....

and this....

and this...(she is using her suitcase as a pillow!)

Then it's time to get dressed for church and snap a few photos.  AG has the hang of it....

We should have waited until we go to the church.  Because ML walked in with her shades on.

My girls are champs in a church service though, even at midnight!  We took communion at midnight and closed with Silent Night.  Then it's home for bed again so Santa arrives!  Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Eve

Aunt Kim and AG started the cornbread today for the jalapeno dressing.  We all have a task today, Jordie and V will make the apple pie, Nonna the pecan and I will make the cinnamon rolls.

The girls always play cards with V.  I love those peeking eyes.

Couldn't resist blogging this picture.  Who knows why she is laying like this but she's got Jordie's full attention.

Obviously something dramatic...

It's almost always short-lived though!

My girls!

I love this shot of my mom!  Matt's in the background starting the beef tenderloin.

Park time

Grandpa V and Jordie walked the girls to the park this afternoon while Daddy and I shopped.  We were on our way back and pulled in to get a text that said, we may need a ride back.  ML wanted to show us her new way to slide.  She's such a monkey!

Christmas trip

We left first thing this morning for Houston to my brother's home.  These next few posts will be a combination of shots of mine and my nephew's.  I think you will be able to tell the difference between ours, how blessed we are to have him capture the moments that are our memories!  Just in case you want to see more of his stuff, this is his website!

We arrived and didn't waste a moment getting into the toys and American Girls.  ML is usually a little shy in the first moments of arrival.

But quickly warms up when there is a task at hand.  AG remembered that Uncle Brad has a stop sign for Santa.

   The day we arrived was my brother's anniversary. A few years ago we started a tradition of staying in and cooking a big feast.  We texted back and forth for most of our drive down deciding on a menu and getting a grocery list.  It wasn't as gourmet as previous years, but it's still fun to be in the kitchen with my family!

And with happy hour, there is ALWAYS dancing.

The "tickle" chair was named this summer when Jordie's boyfriend visited.  My girls got aunt Kim to sit down and I love this shot of her!

And to think all of this in a few hours of arrival!  What a fun week this will be for sure!

Winter party

I volunteered to help at AG's school for the winter party today.  We combined with a science experiment and made ice cream!  I think we counted 9 adults, I love her class!!  Let the Christmas festivities begin!

More programs

We went to Paige's Christmas program today as well.  I love that they live close enough for this!

While we were waiting to start, this was Nora.  LOVE it!

Gingerbread house

 The girls and I designed a two story house again this year.  We added windows and lights to the house again this year.  It is such a fun tradition.

ML ate more M&M's than she decorated with, and that was no small feat.  We used pop rocks for one of the sides this year too.  The girls loved trying those for the first time too.

I will be cleaning nerds and pop rocks off of the floor for weeks.  I kind of exploded them onto one of the sides and they flew everywhere.  Matt shook his head when I did it because I am pretty sure that I picked up one from Halloween just last week.  I called my mom while decorating this year.  She had all these traditions for me when I was growing up, and I love sharing them with my girls too.

Angel

Here is our sweet angel from her Christmas program today.  She has been practicing the songs over and over.  Her teacher told me that she hoped that she didn't get stage fright.  Not at all!  She said loud and proud through the whole program!

Here she is singing 10 little angels in that band!

She was so excited to see Gigi, Grandpa, Aunt Betsy and her cousins Nora and Paige sitting with daddy and I.