Friday Fun

Yesterday we grabbed a quick lunch at Perfectly Franks {I don't really enjoy hot dogs, but when a restaurant in the 'ville is on the Food Network, you've gotta give it a try, right?}. The girls were beyond starving which means they didn't eat a bite. After lunch we headed over to the playground with Connor, Dylan, and Aunt Michelle. The weather was warm and the kids had a great time even though it was a bit crowded for "our" playground.

I can remember being terrified for Anna Claire and Mallory to go down this slide...with Walter, now they climb up and slide down all by themselves.

Puzzling

Anna Claire and Mallory have always loved puzzles. This summer we went crazy for Melissa and Doug floor puzzles after Brandon, Brigette, and Owen gave the girls one for their birthday. For Christmas, Santa brought the girls some table-top Disney jigsaw puzzles with smaller pieces ~ eight total ~ in a neat little box.

So, last night the girls decided to give their new puzzles a try. I realized I had thrown the packaging away that came with the puzzles ~ which included the pictures of what the finished puzzles would look like. Walter and I were cleaning up the kitchen as I was telling him I really thought the girls would need the pictures and I wish I had thought before throwing away the packaging when I looked into the living room and saw the girls had almost finished the first puzzle. Silly mommy! These girls are smart!

Stick 'em Up!

Give Anna Claire and Mallory a sticker book and some blank paper and they can entertain themselves for hours. Okay, maybe not hours but certainly long enough for me to get most of the Christmas decorations packed up.

Merry Christmas!

We had a very Merry Christmas. Anna Claire and Mallory received lots of wonderful presents {and Mommy and Daddy did pretty well ourselves}. We are truly blessed!

Here are probably way too many pictures to share of Christmas Eve and Christmas day, but we just had way too much fun!

Christmas Eve at GiGi's...

 Getting ready for Santa...

I love the expressions on Anna Claire's and Mallory's faces below. I snapped this just after we told them we thought we heard reindeer land on the roof.

 

Christmas morning ~ I was so excited I had my camera on the wrong setting, but I think you can tell how excited Anna Claire and Mallory were {I love the arms thrown back}.

 Checking it all out...

The first gift from Santa both girls went for were the Disney princess baby dolls. Anna Claire asked for baby Aurora and Mallory asked for baby Ariel {then changed her mind to Belle, then went back to Ariel, then Belle,...you get the idea}. Thankfully, Santa made the right choice and delivered a baby Ariel doll {whew!}. And if anyone needs a Disney Animator's Collection Belle doll, I may or may not have one for sale. ;-)

 Christmas day at Granny and Papa's ~ Anna Claire is giving her gifts a closer look...

Someone thought it would be cute to give the girls cammo outfits for Christmas. I think Anna Claire's expression says it all.

 Later in the day at Grandmom's ~ a new jeep to ride!

 Christmas night ~ the girls were worn out!

 The aftermath ~ poor Cody.

We have had a wonderful few days playing with all the girls' new toys and games. Instant hits include their Leapster Explorers, princess baby dolls, My Little Pony toys, and Where's That Chipmunk game. Of course, we have many more wonderful toys to keep us busy for literally months ~ thank you everyone for being so generous and making our Christmas extra special!!

Happy Christmas Eve!

So far, we've had a very laid back Christmas eve. As a matter or fact, the girls and I have had our pj's on all day {that's actually not all that unusual for this week}.

These are ornaments Anna Claire and Mallory made in playschool this year. So cute! I just remembered I wanted to show them off.

We had a little Christmas lesson earlier today with our "toy" Nativity. They girls pretty much have the details of the story straight, which is a very good thing, although the one problem they are having is calling the baby Jesus "her" ~ as in they think he is a she. Not sure what that's about.

We just finished baking cookies for Santa ~ so messy but so fun!

Now we're all ready for Santa!

Christmas with the Watson Crew

Last night we headed over to Granny and Papa's house for Christmas with the Watson side of the family.

Rapunzel...

...and Pinkie Pie! {This will forever be know as the Christmas of the Disney Princesses and My Little Pony!}

 Family photo {attempt #1}

A few of the crew including new baby Oliver!

Still working on doing a better job of getting more family in the photos.