Merry December 2011

Woo - Hoo - only 1 1/2 years left to catch you up on! (we're getting there anyway . . . .)

Christmas Lights with the Co-Workers (such a cute bunch!)

Decorating our house . . . . Little sunshine gets hyped up like she's had more than 1 sugar-filled, artificially colored lollipop (which is a crazy big deal because we live with the consequences of just 1 for several hours due to her sensitivity and natural hyperactive tendencies) when we talk about getting the Christmas decorations out.

Every year I purchase at least 1 ornament from that year, usually one with the girls first initials. I think we have 1 or 2 left that have not been broken.

Little Sunshine likes to put many Christmas ornaments together on a branch and show me how beautiful they look together. Unfortunately this also leads to them falling off and usually multiple Christmas Ball Decoration clean-ups.

Pretty sure this was after one such breaking incident with a subsequent chill out from touching the ornaments period, but that sweet sad face was too cute not to share.

Audrey enjoyed chomping on some of the less dangerous ornaments and watching the Hallmark Happy Tappers Grandma bought for us several years ago (in fact, it is one of BOTH the girls favorite Christmas decorations - we may buy 1 or 2 more on eBay this year). 

Check out the cuteness (we have the elf and the snowman.

And the end result is  . . . . . ONE HAPPY SUNSHINE in the Christmas Spirit

And one worn out Little Darlin'

A few more jewels from Christmas 2011:

Little Ella played a little angel in the Christmas play at our church. So first off, you should know that we lived about 30 minutes from church and Wednesdays were typically my later nights at work, so driving down for Wednesday night play rehearsal was just not really an option. The very sweet organizers said, "Oh, the angels just smile and look pretty - it's fine." HA! Mistake #1 - no real practice. Mistake #2 - Mama dressed her in her best Sunday black shiny shoes -- which made a CRAZY LOUD click on the stage.  2 Mistakes + Slightly hyper/excited sweet girl = the America's Funniest Video everyone has seen. She was in front, then back, then jumping, then dancing, standing when they were sitting, waving, etc, etc, etc. The play was still beautiful, but she did add some audience laughs that were not expected. No one was upset - I mean look at that face, how could you be. But it is a memory forever. Which reminds me - I need to find a copy of that play so we don't forget!

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 Sister loved the whole production anyway!

Finally, we were going to have an empty house for Christmas on this particular year so my sister decided to come down and celebrate with us. This was the first holiday shared with my sister and not my parents - weird, but GREAT. I mean of course the rest of family was missed very much, but the serve yourself, less fuss, more casual holiday was nice too. We had a fabulous time together!

Daddy built rockets with the kids and we shot them off in a nearby field (nice to have some little boys around here for once).

 Aren't cousins just THE BEST!!

(P.S. I ran across this jewel in December 2011 photos as well.  If this picture doesn't say "I'm destined to be a farmer" I don't know what does. I sure love that man of mine!! :) )