Christmas @ our House

Christmas this year was AWESOME!! The kids had so much fun! Ella was at the age that she just wanted to keep opening! Once she was done opening one, she went right on to the next one without even thinking about it. Cole, on the other hand, once he opened a gift, he wanted it out of the box! He wanted to play with it right then, and when you took it away to get him to open something else...he cried...until he saw that he got to open another! It was super cute! Cole decided that the best way to open one of his gifts from the Maxfields, was to make a whole and climb in, and open it from the inside! It was hysterical! He also got a basketball goal...which was a huge hit! Ella loved everything! She can't wait for more snow so she can head out in her sled! We also decided to get Ella a big girl bed! Her crib was convertible, so we just needed mattresses and bedding! She LOVED it! She was so excited to sleep in her new bed tonight and read all of her new Fancy Nancy books! She said that is what big girls do! TOO CUTE!!

It was a lot of fun to have my whole family here with us on Christmas morning, especially since we won't be seeing all of the McGraths today, like usual. Scotts grandma is in the hospital in Chicago with a bowel perforation and some complications following surgery. So Jim, Judy, and Sally are all with her today and until she is able to go to a rehab facility to gain some strength back! We wish her a speedy recovery and can't wait to celebrate Christmas with the soon!

There is also a picture of Scott holding something up out of the kids reach! Yes, it is a pickle; a pickle ornament that is! There is some tradition, somewhere out there, that says that you are supposed to hide the pickle somehwere on the Christmas tree and whoever finds it first on christmas morning gets to open there gifts first. We always did it when I was growing up; so now we have a pickle of our own!! Gotta love passing on the tradition!

PS-if you read the Christmas Eve post and saw that Ella told Santa that she wanted a Barbie, which was news to her mommy and daddy...then you will appreciate this! She was asked how great Christmas was and her reply was "Well, I didn't get a Barbie!" So much for her not really remembering once she got a TON of other fun stuff! Go figures!!

Christmas Eve

We had a super busy day! Attempting some shots in front of the Christmas tree, in their Christmas Eve outfits...not so successful!!! Cole was eating a snack, Ella has no idea how to look at a camera and smile?!! Sometimes I don't know why I bother!! Anyway, we went and saw Santa. Ella was really excited and Cole was not! We gave him the "treat" while he was still on Santas lap, and that didn't really help. Oh, well. Ella did decide to tell Santa that she wanted a Barbie! (A Barbie...she has NEVER mentioned a Barbie!!!! I don't think that Santa has time to get a Barbie now??!! I really hope that she won't remember that on Christmas morning when Santa forgets the Barbie!!)

After Santa, we ran home for a quick nap then off to church. We met Chad, jessie, Anna and Chris there along with my family. It was the childrens' service, so Ella and I got to be sheep and say "BAAA" in the story of Baby Jesus. Lots of FUN! Then home to a wonderful meal that my dad had prepared! Beef tenderloin with a mushroom and sherry sauce, twice baked potatoes and asparagus! YUMMY!!! Full bellies to head to bed with sugar plums dancing in our heads;-)

1st SNOW

The first snow of the year...I think...and they HAD to go play in it! The big kids had a snowball fight and the little ones played with their buckets. It was kind of nice, because it wasn't too cold!

I know...I know...

Surprisingly enough...he is actually a REALLY picky eater...unless it is popcorn or cake!!

Birthday Girl meeting Mickey and Minnie

Probably a little rediculous that I haven't blogged in FOREVER!! I WANT a new computer so bad!! I HATE this thing with a passion. It freezes, looses my stuff in the middle of doing something, locks up and needs to be restarted...I'm DONE with it!!! While I am patiently waiting on my awesome husband to play santa and bring me a new iMac for Christmas...here are a few to keep you updated!!

In need of MAJOR prayers!!

http://www.wthr.com/global/story.asp?s=11200039

This is a link to a news story that has touched my family. I got a text from my cousin, with whom I am very close, that a family friend of hers had been beaten and left for dead. My cousin is currently with her family at Methodist and they are watching and waiting. She is in very critical condition with trauma to her head. PLEASE keep her and her family in your prayers!!

Your Favorites (124 photos), by abby mcgrath

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Park fun

More picture taking fun!! We decided to take a walk around Hamilton Towne Center and let the kiddos play at the little park. They had a ball! We were actually going to get Colts shirts for the kids, but the Dicks there didn't have anything but jerseys, and there was no way that they would fit Cole! Anyone have any ideas? I went over to the place in Castleton Mall that has kids sports apparell and they just had jerseys too?? I'm out of ideas!!