Christmas 2006

Oh we had such a good day today. It is good to have little kids who don't have the need yet to get up before the sun. We were able to sleep in until about 8 am, when we were woken up by Princess M hollering her usual "Mom, UP!" So we got her up and went in and found princess E looking out her window. She turned and said, "mom, where did the oatmeal go?" I told her the reindeer must have eaten it in the night. She then told me that she did not want to go downstairs because "Santa was down there." I reassured her he was not, that he had come in the night. They came down and Princess M started going crazy with excitement. Princess E was a lot more cautious. But the sight of the princess tent and the little kitchen and the other presents soon won her over. It didn't take long for both of them to find out how much they liked opening presents.

Some of the favorites this year were the babies from Grandma Cooley, the dr kit, the chapstick and the James and the Giant peach movie.

We sure were blessed this year. A big thank you to all of our friends, cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles and neighbors who thought of us and gave of yourselves. We truly are blessed to have you in our lives.
We wish you the best in the coming year.

Christmas Eve

This has been the first year that we have been home and been able to start some of our own family traditions. It was a very good day. It started off with the full 3 hour block of church. What a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of the Saviour. The primary kids got up during sacrament and sang a medley of songs. Princess E was so excited. She stood up on the bench and sang G-l-o-r-i-a right along with all of the other kids. Well we went home and had Lasagna. A tradition from my childhood. Later that night we began our birthday celebration by talking about who's birthday it was going to be tomorrow. We went on to talk about why we get presents. As we explained to the girls, it is because Jesus wanted us to remember the gift that he gave to us, so he sends Santa to help us remember. We then read the story of the little drummer boy. Princess E's favorite song. Then we watched Luke 2, the birth of the Savior. The girls were mesmerized, and loved seeing baby Jesus. It was then time to open a few presents from mom and dad. Matching sweats and flashlights. The princesses LOVED their new flashlights. Then it was time to go put out the cookies, carrot and apples for Santa and the reindeer. Princess E then reminded us that we needed to put the oatmeal and glitter out on our front yard like Santa had told her to do, so he could find our house. It was a very memorable night.

Fun in the Snow

We decided to take the girls sledding on Saturday. We thought they would have a blast. But we were wrong. Well about the sledding down a hill part anyway. They had way more fun just having daddy pull them around.

So we pulled them around the school, where we were at to the play ground and let them play for a while.

It was good news for me, knowing that they prefer to just be pulled around. Because it is something that I can do just out in the back yard.

Wrapping time

So King J hates wrapping presents. I did most of it this year. He only had to do 2 for me. Well I had a hoot watching him. He did not appreciate me documenting his progress. He knew I would publish them on here for all of your viewing pleasure. He He, I love him so much. Even with all the goofy wrapping.

Family Ficture time

So my sister tries to take a family picture every Sunday before church. Well we decided that since it has been a while since our last family picture we would try to take some this Christmas Eve. Well, here are the best of the ones that we took. I think we will try again sometime soon.

Charlotte's Web

King J and I have a long history of Movie watching. It all began back in our courtship days. For our Second date we went and saw one of the Lord of the Rings flicks. I got brave enough to try and hold his hand. Right after I slipped my hand into his arm, he got up and went to the bathroom. I was crushed. The whole time he was gone I was second guessing myself. Well he came back and flat out held my hand and everything was great. We went on more and more dates. We LOVED going to the movies. There even was a time when we had seen every movie that was playing at the Century 16 theatre. Our movie viewing days did not die when we got hitched. They just slowed way down. Usually, when we get the occasional date night, we still go see a movie.

Well we had a nostalgic moment this weekend at the movies. We decided to take the girls to their first big screen movie. Princess E had been seeing the commercials for Charlotte's Web for a few weeks. She was so excited to go. Princess M probably could have cared less. We walked in and Princess E's eyes were so big. We found our seats and the previews started. She turned to me and with a big smile said "This is cool mom, it is loud."

I got a huge lump in my throat. It was like we were introducing our precious girls into part of our married world. They did so well in the movie. It probably helped that it was chuck full of live animals. One of their favorite things. Princess M ended up just running up and down the ramp the last 20 minutes or so, but that was to be expected.

I love my family!!

CHEETOS

This was just to funny not to share. Princess M got down from her high chair tonight. But apparently she wasn't finished with her Cheetos. She turned around and had 3 in her little mouth and both hands full. It kept us laughing for quite some time.

She is getting so dang funny. She has all of these silly faces that she likes to pull. One of our favorites is when she looks like she doesn't have any teeth and tips her head back. She gets a kick out of us laughing at her and it keeps her going and going.

We love you little princess!!

Man in the big red suit

Both of the girls have been amazing this year the few times they have met Santa. Last night when we went to Temple Square, we went to dinner in the Mall. Well when we got off the elevator Santa was sitting right there and there wasn't a line at all. So we went over and they sat on his lap. No tears or anything. I think they were more interested in the candy cane, but they were good none the less. Well today we went to story time and they had a special visitor come to read the stories. Both girls were sitting just fine with all the other kids, until they saw him coming. Princess E jumped up and into the nearest adults lap and buried her head. Princess M made a be line to my lap. I have no idea what the difference was but Princess E told me after that "Santa is NOT coming to our house! I don't want to see him any more." LOL. Well we will see how she feels about it after he does come. So here are a couple of shots from last nights Santa and today's from the safety of moms lap.

Mother Mary

So I found the baby Jesus that went to our nativity the other day. Princess E has been so excited about it. Anyone who visits our house hears about how "Mommy found baby Jesus in her room." Usually it leads to a puzzled look and then the explanation from me. Well she has been so fascinated with baby Jesus. I heard her telling princess M the other night to take baby Jesus and put him in her basket. I looked around the corner and saw her rocking her baby and saying, "It's OK, mommy is here don't be afraid baby Jesus." I got all choked up. Well I had just done sharing time that day and we had acted out the nativity. I had the bags of costumes on the couch. I told her that if she was Mary she should get dressed like her. She was so excited, and wore it the rest of the day. Princess M had to dress up too of course. I have to say, they both made a pretty beautiful Mary.

"I love to See the Temple"

Have you ever seen a child have a panic attack whenever they see Christmas lights? Well spend some time around Princess M. She freaks our and almost has convulsions when ever she sees lights outside. She even started crying one time. Well I decided that it would be a fun family outing to go to Temple Square. That it would be a fun time had by all. Um, I was wrong. It was FREEZING cold. The crowd was to a minimum, but the weather was bitter cold. Princess M wasn't having any of it. She cried the whole time. Was not excited at all to see the lights. Well, I take that back. On the way to pick up daddy, we drove past the square and she said, "oh koot yights." And that was it. We probably could have gone home after that. Anyway, we were able to take some cute pictures of all of us.

'Away in a Manger'

We began listening to Christmas Music the day after Halloween. It really has gotten us into the spirit of Christmas. Princess E has begun asking all kinds of questions. It has given me a great opportunity to talk to her about the true meaning of Christmas.

One day the song "Little Drummer Boy" came on and she asked "Mommy what are they talking about?" I told her that Christmas is Jesus' birthday and we give presents to him. In the song a little boy doesn't have anything to give to him so he plays his drum for Jesus.

That conversation lead quite nicely into why Santa gives us presents. Last year Santa began only bringing us each 3 gifts. Because Jesus wanted Santa to help us always remember him and the gifts that the 3 wise men gave to him on his birthday.

Well this morning I was cleaning out the "flower" room and I found a baby Jesus in his manger. I took it out and gave it to Princess E and went back to what I was doing. I came out to see her taking all of the straw out and making him a "crib" with a pillow. She even was wrapping him with her blankie so that he would not get cold. I told her that we needed to find a place for him to sit. Without any thought she took him over and put him by the foot of Santa. She told me that I needed to come over and sing "Rump a pum pum" to him with her.

I am so grateful for this time of the year that we can learn about the true meaning of the season. I am humbled on a daily basis with the responsibility I have to teach my children these things. But as my experience showed today, something is working. I love being a mom to these 2 sweet girls.

Merry Christmas!!

Our Budding Photagraphers

So this is the result when your 2 little princesses get a hold of the camera. This is just a sampling of the 50+ pictures that were taken. I think they pretty much speak for themselves. I had a good laugh.

Bowling at Buddy's

Princess E got to go bowling for the first time on Saturday. Her best friend Claire turned 3 and bowling is what she wanted to do. Princess E was SO excited to go. They had bumpers and the little ramp thing to help them all bowl. It was nice that they had 6 lb balls for them to use also. She was fascinated with the air blower and kept putting her face down by it and had her cheeks blow out. They even had tiny little bowling shoes in her size. Isn't she the cutest girl ever???

Meet our new little brother

Princess M got her first actual haircut this weekend. Thanks to her big sisters help on Friday. She actually held really still. I was really sad to see it go since it was finally starting to grow. It is actually still shorter than this in 2 places. We could have buzzed it all off like daddy, to have it all one length. Oh well, hopefully it will grow back soon.

They may not live to see another day

So does anyone have a miracle solution to getting white out off of skin?

I was upstairs having my daily shower this morning and thinking to myself I really have been blessed to not have to worry about my girls while I am in here. They always are so good to just sit and watch a show. So I finished, got dressed and started wondering where they were. I come downstairs to this.

Somewhere princess E found a bottle of white out. (I didn't even know we owned any.) She is OBSESSED with all things makeup. It was on their faces, on their fingers and toes. Even in the hair. I have tried so many things to get it off. I guess we will just have to wait for it to rub off on it's own. So I began picking up the family room and find it smeared on the couch and floor too. Then I see a big pile of hair that is about 1 inch long. I turn to Princess E and ask, who's hair is this? She replies, Princess M's. I had been so concerned with her clown face I hadn't noticed the new bald spots all along the top. I didn't know what else to do but to sit down and start laughing hysterically. I immediately told Princess E to get her tush in timeout. She said I don't want a spank mommy. I said don't worry, if I start spanking you I might never stop.

I think we will be taking long naps and going to bed early today.

Gingerbread house

Each week, for the last few months, I have tried to do an art project with the princesses. Kind of a hands on activity. Well yesterday we made a Gingerbread house for the first time. It was so much fun. I was amazed how good and helpful the girls were. Even Princess M added gumdrops and gumballs without any help. Princess E is so excited to show the "gingerbread princess castle" to anyone who stops by. I love art time with the girls.