Santa came! (over 2 weeks ago!)

OK, so this is the final installment of Christmas 2009. Ridiculous, I know, but this is the only way for it all to make it in the scrapbook! Santa came to our house while we were in San Diego and left the girls presents to open when we got back so we wouldn't have to worry with shipping them home. Santa brought Avery the Wedding Day Sparkles Barbie styling head that she asked for, and he brought Kendall the Fisher Price Loving Family Dollhouse. They also each got to open some furniture and the minivan that goes with the dollhouse since technically it is for both of them to play with. Avery was very excited about her Barbie styling head and they have both played with the dollhouse every day I think. Here are a few pics of our delayed "Christmas morning."

Kendall made a b-line for the dollhouse and immediately started playing

Avery's expression says it all!

Wedding Day Sparkles Barbie Styling Head

minivan, furniture and extra dolls to go w/ the dollhouse

Avery likes playing w/the dollhouse and dolls too

Christmas Installment #3

For those who didn't read my previous 2 posts, we went to San Diego this year for Christmas, so I am having to blog about our Christmas celebrations and our vacation in installments. So I think I left off at Christmas Eve. That night we made S'mores using Mike and Amy's firepit outside and the girls had fun decorating cookies for Santa. Amy said she thought the dye in the icing was permanent, so that's why my kids have their shirts off!
Christmas morning we headed back over to Mike and Amy's to let the kids open presents from aunt, uncles and Memaw & Dedaw. Avery got a Cabbage Patch doll, a Tag book, and a digital album filled with pics of her. Kendall got a Laugh and Learn toolbench, a Tag book, and a name puzzle. Santa also left them stockings full of small toys and fun things to do on the plane trip back home. He left their big presents at our house so we wouldn't have to worry w/ getting them home.
Avery's favorite stocking stuffers were M & M's and this light up squishy ball. Kendall's favorites were her Hershey bar and the 4 mini Disney princesses. In this pic the princesses are dancing on the chocolate-- I would love a dance floor made of chocolate myself!
Avery stayed busy Christmas Day playing with her cousins. We also went to see "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel."
Kendall was really clingy for most of the trip, but Dedaw and her cousins did manage to squeeze in a few hugs :) She also had a lot of fun playing "Mother May I" and Tickle Tag with Avery and her cousins on Amy & Mike's front lawn.

Before heading to the airport the following day, we went to the Children's Museum downtown. It was a little more artsy than others we've been to, but it had some really neat things and all the kids had a good time.

Brooklyn, Avery, Braden and Bailey across the street from the Children's Museum in dowtown San Diego.

Braden gave Avery a ride on these self-propelled carts

On one of the balconies they had tables and chairs set up for working with clay.

This tunnel shaped rainbow inflatable was a big hit.

They looked like little bumblebees in the velcro pants. They could stick to each other or stick things on the pants as well.
Kendall enjoyed coloring with Daddy while the older girls were experimenting w/ the velcro pants.
Kendall also really liked the bubble station on one of the patios outside. I never thought of using looped pipe cleaners for bubble wands!

The adults were having as much fun as the kids playing with these little wooden blocks.

Scott, Avery and Kendall inside the 3 story Trojan horse

Kendall and Avery both enjoyed these bouncing donkeys

Avery was proud that she climbed to the top of the "rock" wall w/ out any help

Overall we had a good trip. We got to do some neat family-oriented things and see a few sights, although I would like to go back someday to see and do more. But having most of the family together was definitely good and made for a Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2009- Installment #2

Tuesday before Christmas we flew out to San Diego to spend Christmas with Scott's sister, my brother-in-law and my 8 month old nephew Mason. Scott's parents and his brother's family of 5 went as well, so we had a whole crew on the plane. I was nervous about how my girls would do on the 3 hr plane ride, but thankfully they did great coming and going! I would not recommend doing that w/out a portable DVD player and a backpack full of new books, coloring books, etc. however.

Brooklyn (my neice), Avery and Kendall at the airport

When we arrived in San Diego, my brother and sister-in-law picked us all up in a 15 passenger van they rented and we actually managed to cram 3 car seats, 11 older kids and adults, and all the luggage in there. We headed to the famous "In and Out Burger" for some grub. Delicious!
Wednesday we spent a good part of the day at the San Diego Zoo. Unfortunately my camera card was full w/in the first 30 min we were there, so we resorted to the camera phone and our pics are kind of limited. We also spent some time hanging out at Amy and Mike's house, watching movies and letting all the kids play. Avery had a great time playing with her 3 older cousins as well as with little Mason.

Avery "reading" Kendall and Mason a book

playing with her only boy cousin

Zoo pics: I'm sure you can tell that the middle 2 were taken w/ the phone

Thursday we went out to Seaport Village close to downtown. It was a really neat shopping and dining area right on the bay. The weather was gorgeous and we really enjoyed walking around, shopping, and riding the carousel. We ate some fresh seafood for lunch at Edgewater Grill and then headed back to Amy and Mike's.

Avery, Kendall and De-Daw looking out over the bay

A family pic

This carousel's original home was in Texas. We rode it twice since Santa came over to see all the kids and said they would get a free ride on him!
Next up: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the San Diego Children's Museum!

Christmas #1

I can't believe that I am just now getting around to blogging about Christmas when we already have our decorations packed away and it is now officially 2010, but it must be done since my blog posts become the journaling in my scrapbooks! And since we had Christmas with my family early and then went to San Diego for almost a week, it will have to be done in installments. First installment: Christmas with my family in Coppell. We went over to my parents' house on the Saturday before Christmas for a big lunch andto open presents. As usual, my parents went way over the top and the girls ended up with tons of toys. But at least they seem to really like and play with most of them. I like to try to list them so the girls can look back and remember what they got. Avery got the "Lulu" FurReal kitty, Strawberry Shortcake Sweet Surprise, Clip and Style My Little Pony, Disney hair accessory tote, a travel case filled with PJ's, headbands, jewelry and makeup, Tinker Toys, and some coloring books, workbooks, colors, movies and other stocking stuffers. Kendall got a Cinderella baby doll, McDonalds play food and cash register, a FurReal puppy, some movies and a travel case with PJ's, headbands, and play jewelry. Then my aunt gave them a McDonald's food stand that's really neat. Kendall also got a big train set, but my parents decided to put it away and re-give it to her for her b-day since the girls already had so many toys! Mind you, this list does not include presents from Scott's family or from Santa! Out of this batch of presents, Avery's favorite is the FurReal Kitty. She will just go lay on her bed with Caroline, as she named it, and pet her and talk to her-- just like if she were real! Kendall's favorite is probably the McDonald's food stand, food and cash register. Scott and I also raked in a huge pile of gift cards, some new sheets, shirts and ties for him, a black leather jacket, scarf and slippers for me, and a new set of phones for the house. And best of all in my opinion, Scott gave me a new cell phone-- a T-Mobile Tap-- which I desperatley needed, and clip-on MP3 player to use while I run! Enough of "installment #1", enjoy the pics!

Avery and Kendall helped Mimi pass out the presents

Scott showing them how to blow their train whistles that go w/ the train set. Kendall was so proud of herself when she finally did it!

Aunt Amy played helped Avery style her My Little Pony's hair

Kendall squeezed in a few of the 50 snuggles she requires per day

Avery showing off her manicure given by Aunt Amy

Avery and great aunt Milly

Petting Caroline the FurReal Kitty

Kendall playing w/ Cinderella Baby

Trying out the battery operated hair dryer from theDisney hair accessory tote

They were impressed w/ the McDonald's cash register, food stand and play food

My Mom and Dad opening the fire pit that the "kids" got them

Kendall really liked having her own headbands and not having to borrow one--or two--of Avery's
After all the presents were opened everyone sat around and played with their electronics, old and new. Sign of the times I guess.

Mimi and her granddaughters