Christmas 2010

Santa has come and gone....leaving a lil something for all of us. I admit over the last month I've gotten caught up in the commercialization of Christmas. There was an ad on the radio that captured it all, "be the Santa you've always wanted to be". First and foremost I know this holiday is about the birth of our Savior and we tried to explain to the girls why we give gifts every year and the symbols of some of the Christmas Icons. It's something we'll need to reiterate every year but something that is very important to us. We are thankful for the birth of our Dear Savior and the hope and light that he brings into each of our lives.

Starting with Christmas Eve: We were very excited to have our Daddy home to do a lot of last minute Christmas preparations. That evening we spread our packets of quick oats and glitter so Santa and the Reindeer would find us and then we headed to the church for dinner at the church with the Dickson/Rasmussen Clan. They get together each year and invited us and a few other families who do not have family close by to share dinner, talent show, and a visit from Santa Claus. Reminded me of the Party my Grandma Harris puts on every year. McKenna surprised us all by jumping on stage with her friend Nathan during the talent portion to sing "Here Comes Santa Claus". She had a little trouble with the words but she wasn't scared at all and loved it! I think we have a performer on our hands.

Santa stopped by around 8-and handed the kids their presents and as McKenna grabbed hers she started to cry. The present hadn't even been open so I had no idea why she was crying and she was crying to hard we couldn't understand her. When she finally calmed down she said, "Santa didn't give me my doll house." I had to fight laughter and explain to her a doll house was too big and wouldn't have left anymore room for the other toys. This seemed to explain things enough and the girls were thrilled to find new Jammies and Tate went to bed with his new toy horse.

Christmas preparations were going well enough when we came across a hiccup-wish it was just lost presents- but instead we got another surprised before Santa arrived. Sadly at around 10:30 McKenna was crying and...well throwing up. Without going into details McKenna had the stomach flu and the sweet little drama queen she is well she didn't spare us any of her dramatics. I say this knowing that I was the same way growing up...its now my turn to be the Mom. I felt really bad for her being Christmas and all. She was a pretty good sport taking a bath before we all headed to the Family room to find what Santa had left for us.

Here's what we found:

Baby ponies and Glow worm dolls-new best friends!

Thanks you Grandma!

Double Duty-sharing a bit of Christmas with my parents

Little pink Flower Payne Hood

What's a house without some furniture?

Fending for himself, Santa's leftover milk, cookies and his gingerbread house for breakfast

Energy all spent in the 1st hour she had to stop for a break every now and again.

Watching Toy Story3-Good Cuddle Time with Daddy

Aftermath

Thanks to all who sent cards and presents. Still working on getting our own cards out...maybe new year cards?

Thank you Grandma! Love the Riding Hood capes!

Tate is still a little leary of the straw glasses but after a demonstration from Dad, the girls are in love. Wish I'd gotten a picture of that.

Christmas Lights-Sky Island

One of our favorite past-times this time of year is driving around and seeing the homes lit up in Christmas lights. Bonney Lake has a neighborhood called Sky Island where they take this to a whole new level. Almost every home is illuminated in lights. To be able to take our time and really check it out Leslie suggested we walk. I thought she was a little crazy as the temperature was almost freezing, but we had a great time and the kids loved getting so close.

Leslie has a great camera where you can actually capture it all on film.

Santa Clause

One word to describe today....PARTY!!!! From morning to night it was from one party to the next.

We started at the Sumner Wards 1st Christmas Breakfast. Can I just say YUMMMY!!! Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Candied French Toast, Bacon, Sausage, Fruit, and did I say Bacon? Good Food, good company, and then Santa Clause dropped in to pass out Candy Canes and to remind the kids to be good.

It was a big moment for our girls-it's the first year McKenna and Tyler have voluntarily sat on Santa's lap-although Tyler would only go if McKenna sat his lap with her. Last year they were excited, but still a little too nervous to get close to him. I was thrilled to get a picture of my girls on Santa's lap with a smile.

Tate on the otherhand would have nothing to do with Santa...so we got our screaming picture and got him his candy cane and he in that he founds his happy.

A few hours later we found ourselves at Roaches Gymnastics for a birthday celebration for one of McKenna's classmates, Anna. They were nice enough to let Tyler stay and play with the kids. At McKenna's insistance her Dad went and stayed with them. He's a lot more fun at parties than I am. :)

That evening we went to our favorite kids Christmas party at Leslie's house. There was excitement in the air the moment we walked into the house. We had some snacks and then the kids settled down for a reading of the "Night Before Christmas", read by Bro. Brower. The kids were sucked in and loved it. Afterwards we sang some songs and then in came Santa Clause. Cheers and Yells were heard and then Tate's arms wrapped around me in Terror as he realized who was there. It was the perfect ending to the perfect day for the kids.

Last but certainly not least The Spanish Group had their Christmas Party that John was able to go to at the Clifton's. Being Partied out the kids and I stayed home, but John had a great time!

Gingerbread Houses

I've decided this is the year for simplicity. No need for elaboration-less is better with a 2 year old around.

Wednesday's are late start at school and with extra time in the morning Tyler and I helped McKenna and Tate to create their Gingerbread houses. Tyler loved being a teacher and even added a few additions to her previously made house.

As you can see Tate ate most of his house-luckily all was edible and apparently very yummy!

Oh Christmas Tree...

We weren't sure if we really wanted to get a Christmas Tree this year, knowing the curiousity of our 2 year old boy. We did a test run with a small tree that lost all of its ornaments several times every day. McKenna would have it no other way, we were getting a big tree. McLendon's had a sale we couldn't resist and Saturday morning we found our way down to pick out our tree. It's not quite as exciting as our traditional trip, but the end product is the same-a beautiful tree that couldn't get decorated soon enough for the girls. (Following Monday's FHE activity.)

Tate likes it a lot too. So much that a week after getting the tree-he took a bite out of the top of one of the "glass" ball ornaments. It's a miracle he didn't cut a lip or something worse. He didn't think it tasted very good but apparently it looked too good to pass up.

That afternoon Tyler and I went to the Library to make gingerbread houses. We met some our friends and I learned an EASY way to make them with kids. Make a paper model then spread the frosting on the backs of the graham crackers and stick them to the the model then use the store bought canned frosting for the glue for the candy and such. Miss Annette was nice enough to let me take some materials home to do with McKenna and Tate.

When we were done we picked up McKenna and headed down to Sumner for their Annual Santa Clause Parade. It started out with a loud train passing right behind us. (Hence the hands over the girls ears).

It was a fun parade with lots of bands, cars, ponies, dogs, floats, more cars and of course...SANTA!

Happy #2 Birthday Tate

Tater Tot turned 2...although I wrote three...apparently it's been a long year? Just kidding!

The day started out early with him calling out, "Mommy..... Daddy...." over and over until I finally rescued him from his crib. While everyone slept in he discovered an early morning birthday gift, the Little People Garage sitting on the table. He was so excited and began playing with it immediately.

Tonight Leslie and her young brood-Tanner and Baby Bella came over to help us celebrate the grand occasion with Pizza from Little Casaer's Pizza (in Harris fashion), presents, cake and ice cream.

He loved his gifts from his Grandparents!! The girls did as well and have taken turns with him with all the toys.

The Cake-Carousel-His favorite thing to do at the zoo

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His sisters' helped with the cake. Tyler with coloring the frosting. Both helped color the carousel animals and McKenna came up with the idea to put the little people on the cake. My Very good helpers!

Tate was very excited abut his cake, from the moment he woke up from his nap and spied it. He didn't necessarily love eating it...but the candy he was in love with, especially the Skittles.

Goofy Tyler who "couldn't eat any cake because I had too much frosting earlier, only ice cream please."

Lil baby Bella-whom Tate could not get enough of this 4 month old beauty. Wanted to smother her in kisses...or rather snot since that is what covered his face today.

We Love OUR Tater Tot. He's the goofiest, happiest kid I know with a determination that he only could have learned from his Dad. He still loves his sisters and wants to do everything they do. Lately they've been calling Tate by fun names as they say good night to him. For the past couple of weeks, it's been, "Good night Poopy Tate". He loves it and giggles each time they say it to him.

We love Tate's curiosity, the enthusiasm that accompanies his curiosity when he discoveries new things. The "ooohs" and "ahhhhs", the passion of wanting to watch how things are made and wanting to help, especially in the kitchen. Although his words are not always clear, we are beginning to understand a lot of words he is trying to use. We love how he uses his whole body when nodding yes or no-which has been a saving grace in our attempts to communicate better.

He Still LOVES his blanket and binki and when one is missing he throws himself on the floor, lost without them. Cuddling in the morning with Mom and Dad while watching the Backyardigans (although you love watching them anytime), animals (especially horses and dogs), feeding the goats, eating rocks and dirt, tormenting Coco the Dog, to yelping at times when not caught. Tate also loves his cars, farm animals (which ride in the Little people bus and car) and throwing balls, playing at the park and riding in the swing. He is very good at cleaning up-and even put some books away yesterday without being asked while I was vacuuming. The Bath is another favorite pastime...although throwing of water and splashing is not either of his parents favorite. Favorite Foods are: Turkey Hot dogs, pizza, frozen go-gurts, suckers, popcorn, Special K with berries, Rice, Tacos, Taco Soup, canned corn and beans. Last but not least-pushing of any buttons. Keyboards, light switches, Power buttons-computers and tv's (which he has broken both in the last year). Tate is Busy, busy, busy! We love every small inch of your skinny lil body!