Our First Frost

This morning we woke up to a little frost on the grass and a very cold house.

Merry Christmas!

Hayden was up at 6:30 and had to go in and wake Phedora up. I think he's once again a believer in Santa Clause. At least for now anyway. Hayden was excited to get Unicron from Santa but was a little confused about having a scooter under the tree as well. He wanted to go out and check the garage for it. Phedora loved getting her big bear but was less than amused to have been woken up. As the day progressed she enjoyed the bear more. On Christmas night she came out to get the bear to sleep with him. He is as big as her bed but she managed.

Santa Came!!
And brought Hayden a Rubik cube

A Hello Kitty notebook and pen for Phedora

A Lightening McQueen icepack!

Phedora got a Princess one too.

And a recorder, they each got one.

Whatever was Santa thinking :)

Daddy got a bottle brush for his carboy

Chutes and Ladders from Hayden

A computer game from Auntie Kiki and Uncle John.

Playing with Unicron. Definitely one of the cooler gifts so far.

Opening Phedora's present to Daddy

What is it!?!

March of the Penguins from Grandma and Grandpa.

Wait a min! We don't have a Blu....

They didn't!

I just liked this picture.

Opening the big box from Grandma and Grandpa

Tearing into it

Breaking the tape on the box.

OMG! They did!

Merry Christmas! Look at that smile!

Dan's best Christmas ever!

I am a little short on pictures because I didn't think to recharge the camera battery. Now mind you I charged it the other night and had barely used it since then. We did have the video camera running through almost all of our Christmas morning. We did run out of tape after the first hour and I didn't realize it right away. So we are missing a few minutes. My wonderful hubby spoiled me yet again this year and he not only got me a new camera but also a TomTom. I have been enjoying trying to figure it all out. We went out to Fry's yesterday to get another controller for the PS3 and a new game and movie, it was fun playing with it while out and about. I will post some little video clips later on. Right now I have to go get ready to go to California. We are heading out there for New Years and to take the kids to Lego Land. I woke up sick yesterday morning so I hope it passes quickly. I am down from feeling like I got ran over by a huge truck to just a sore throat now. Happy New Years everyone!

Twas The Night Before Christmas

After dinner the kids each decorated a few cookies for Santa Clause. When they were done they both had a cookie for dessert. Even Dan got in on the decorating action.

Hayden finished dinner first so he started.
His Candy Cane

mm mmm, good

Phedora's turn finally

Here comes Daddy

The kids each gave Santa two cookies.

A wreath and snowflake from Hayden

and a

Bell and Candy Cane from Phedora

Just watching while Phedora and Daddy finish up

Mmm, the frosting is good

Proud of his tree

Dad you are kinda silly but my cookie tastes good

Opening his Christmas Eve present

Pajama's! This is not what I wanted to open!

Phedora ripping into hers.

Yes!

I knew it was my new pajamas

The Lights of Christmas

Last night we took the kids out to see the Christmas Lights. Dan mapped us out a route to the best houses and let me say that there was some really impressive houses and streets. There was a whole street done up in one neighborhood. Unfortunately we didn't bring our jackets along so we could get out and walk. A lot of the houses had hot cocoa, popcorn and movies playing. It was nice to see that so many people get into the holiday spirit. Of course there was more houses without any decorations than there were with. It was a lot of fun though. About half way through our trip we headed over to Starbucks to get some hot cocoa. I wish that I had gotten video of the street scene we saw but I forgot I even had the camera with us until later in the night. The video I did get was a pretty impressive house though.

Chandler Mall Santa

This morning we went to see Santa at the Chandler Mall. I definitely liked his beard better than the one at San Tan Village. It was much more filled out. We got lucky and there was only 2 people in front of us in line. The kids asked once again for a scooter and a big bear. Nana and Grampee are going to get the scooter for Hayden. Unfortunately I was in Sam's Club the other day and they were out of the big bears. I may have to go check at the other ones. We will see. what happens. I know they will like their Santa gifts though so I am not too worried about it.

The tree above Santa

Hayden telling Santa he wants a scooter and that they left him a list in their stocking

Phedora telling Santa that she wants a big bear

Smile :)

One more time

Proud of myself

I decided this morning to weigh and measure myself. Its been quite awhile since the last time I did it. I am happy to report that since I started on this journey at the end of June I have lost a combined total of 12.5" and 12 pounds!

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Last night I recorded A Charlie Brown Christmas for the kids. I put it on and then took out the garbage. When I came back I found them all cuddled up watching it. Of course once I took the pictures they both went their separate ways. But it was cute while it lasted.

Ginger Bread Houses

This afternoon the kids finally got to decorate their ginger bread houses. We constructed them last week. We wanted to wait a few days so the frosting was good and hard. Phedora's house fell down 3 times while constructing it. Then the days were just a little too short and we didn't get to them. They were very happy this afternoon when we finally started decorating. They had a great time. Hayden particularly liked the feel of smooshing frosting in his hands. He has become quite the messy child. Some days I wish he would go back to being a neat freak but at the same time I like that he enjoys making a mess. Especially when they go out to play in the mud.

Ready

Set

Decorate!

Mmmm

So intense

Candy and Frosting

There's a smile

And then its gone

This is so fun

Yes it is

Concentrating on their houses

Oh No! Now I have to lick it off... hehehe

She thought she was being sneaky

Careful!

Trying to get the peanut to stay on

Big smiles when I ask for them

Cheese

Look at my house!

Trying not to laugh

This side is all done!

I'm gonna eat it... When your not looking

Very happy with her house

Hmm what next

Look at my house

I'm very pleased with it

Me too

"I like your house Hayden"

Being cute