Daddy's Girls

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Christmas Morning at the Smith home...

GOOD MORNING, CHRISTMAS!

The traditional in-front-of-the-tree photo:

Stockings filled by Santa...

and opening family gifts...

Super Milly got her Super-Girl ("soup-a-gull") Cape:

Christmas morning visit from Grandma & Grandpa Smith:

Next: Grandma & Grandpa Ralphs to see cousins:
Oh, the presents, cousins and EXCITEMENT!

Milly & Avery wait patiently for their gifts:

Gifts from great grandma Afton: Rapunzel Dolls!

Milly's Special Gift:

Rylee's Special Gift:

Her first American Girl Doll!!! Lanie

Smith Cousins, for more fun and gift exchanges:

And best of all... cousins' MATCHING JAMMIES!!!

Holy Smokes, we got a TON of fun gifts...
How on earth did THIS happen!?

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Christmas Eve 2010

Christmas Eve...
Grandma & Grandpa Smith joined us for our night of fun & traditions we had planned;
After some yummy scones, we headed to the City LIGHTS
(per Milly's request to go through the tunnel):

We walked around and looked at the lights, then enjoyed a few cups of hot cocoa...

After, was the NATIVITY~
Rylee let Milly be Mary, and Rylee was Joseph. They put on quite the production, singing a few primary songs, and ending with the manger scene, with Grandma's story book scenery as the backdrop.

Afterwords was Christmas Jammy's, and Christmas Cookies for Santa! Grandma & Grandpa are pro's at this:

The girls set out Santa's cookies:

Then said goodbye to Grandma & Grandpa, then off to bed.

Milly had a special request... she thought she was sleeping UNDER THE TREE, waiting for Santa to come!!! ha ha ha. So cute. So, we let her try and at least fall asleep under there:-)

(and daddy and ry ry thought they'd join in on the fun too)

Christmas at Grandpa Corey's 12/24/10

We were at Grandpa Corey's & Grandma Liz's when we had a surprise visit from Santa Clause!

The Ericksen grandkids all took turns telling Santa their Christmas wish...

Milly told Santa she was THREE! ha ha, so cute:)

After the fun visit from Santa, it was present time....
But with Grandpa corey, we all know that before anyone gets any presents, there is SOME type of game/challenge/quest involved to earn the rewards!
This year started with a scavenger hunt to find our families presents. Among these presents was 4 large duffle bags which were not to be opened until an intense, strategic game of 'minute to win it' was played. As we won, we were awarded gift cards, which we could keep, or use to buy a clue as to WHICH duffle bag had the grand prize in it!
OH BOY was it ever a RACE! Well? After much sweat, blood and tears, come to find out that the gift in all bags was the same and the first....
a ONE WEEK TRIP TO: Barcelona, SPAIN!!!!!

HOLY COW was that ever a HUGE, shocking surprise!? So crazy.
Needless to say, we all enjoyed opening our gifts, much fun was had, and a great night was had by ALL!!!
Merry Christmas Grandma & Grandpa Ericksen:-)

Monday, June 20, 2011

Ralphs Gingerbread Contest 12/23/10

It was time for our Annual Cousin gift exchange and Gingerbread House Contest 2010!!!

After our Picture on Santa's Lap in our matching PJ's, we went to grandma and grandpa Ralphs to start our cousin gift exchange...

And Rylee & Avery totally SCORED... Jaimie Lynn's kids had their names, and she MADE THESE outfits!!! Can you even believe her? Oh my goodness they are darling. She's amazing!

And for the Gingerbread Decorating Contest:

Our "Lowly Stable" Gingerbread Scene

After an intense judging by a few Elves from the north pole...
Me and the girls won "RUDOLPHS FAVORITE" award! Not too bad

Milly starts Violin... 12/13/10

Even though Milly is only just barely 3 years old, she was getting a little bored just watching Rylee's violin lessons and not doing lessons herself! (...of course!? ha ha)
So, at Rylee's next lesson, little miss Milly decided she knew enough that she could hop right up and start her first lesson! Well, sure enough, the past 9 months of sitting and watching Rylee practice daily HAD paid off, and Milly was smart enough to start lessons with Miss Erica!
And this girl is BOUND & Determined... once she gets her mind on something, there is NO backing down! She is in this for the long a haul.
SUZUKI VIOLIN? HERE WE COME!!!