Bowling

This is the second year in which we have went bowling inbetween Christmas and New Years. Maybe it will become a tradition. We had a lot of fun. Tyson loved it and he wanted to carry the heavy ball all by himself everytime. One time he wanted to do it without the little help and the ball never made it to the pins, it actually just rolled right back to us. Until next time.

First Steps

Eliza has been having fun practicing her walking and took her first steps the night of December 11, 2011. She is still not walking on her own but takes a few steps here and there and gets braver and braver everyday.

Squints

Eliza has recently been given the nickname of "squints." I have been trying to catch her squinting and this is the closest I have been able to get. She does it all the time and we can't tell if she is scowling, focusing, or just playing with us. Whatever it is, it sure makes us laugh. It really just shows us how her personality is coming out more and more.

A love of Peppermints

While we were doing gingerbread houses Eliza found a peppermint that had dropped on the ground and stuck it in her mouth and since then has grown to love them. She ate pretty much the whole thing . We got the candy bowl out last night and she reached straight for the peppermint and picked it up and started to laugh and wave her arms up and down. Mike took it from her and she got really mad at him. Again, her personality showing through.

Christmas Day

Christmas day we woke up, ate breakfast, and got ready for church. I told Tyson that Santa wanted us to go to church before he came to our house. We got home from church and sure enough Santa made it to our house. Tyson had lots of fun opening his own gifts and also "helping" Eliza open hers. Ty got an IXL learning system, UNO moo, trains, clothes, books, puzzels, a camera, keys, and candy. Eliza got a baby doll, phone, necklace, hair clips, clothes, books, and puzzles. They both got spoiled. After opening gifts we got changed and went to Grandpa and Grandma's house for lunch. We had a great day.

Aren't these two the cutest little kids ever!


The kids Christmas stash.

Christmas Eve

We got home from the airport late on Christmas Eve but were able to still open Christmas pajamas. Tyson opened his in about two seconds flat and then cheered on Eliza for a few minutes then decided he couldn't handle how slow she was going and decided to help her. I have the cutest two kids in the world.

Little Trip To Kansas

We went to Kansas to visit Mike's family for about a week and a half. We flew out on December 15th very early in the morning. Both kids did GREAT on the plane. Eliza slept on all flights and Ty did amazingly great.

We stayed with the Rush family and did a lot of hanging out, talking, playing with the kids, eating, and having fun.

One of the first days that we were there we went to the Discovery Kids Museum. The kids had a lot of fun. Tysons favorite was the car. Also there there was a store/kitchen, dentist office, grainery, painting, workshop, blacklight room and many other things. Tyson had SO much fun and Eliza just crawled around following the kids.

While we were in Kansas we ate out at this fun Mexican restaurant. It was near Tanner's Birthday so they sang to him and at this restaurant put whipped cream in their face.

While we were in Kansas we got to visit Santa. Tyson kept saying he wanted a bike for christmas and that is what he told Santa, even though he already has two. While there they had a few crafts for the kids to make which were ornaments for the tree and the girls even got a picture with Mrs. Clause. Tyson was a little nervous with Santa, so was Eliza but she didn't cry.

Also while in Kansas we took the kids to Bonkers. It was like ChuckeCcheese but better. They had this big play area that both kids and adults could go into and play and an arcade and an area to eat. We played hard and had pizza to eat.

Grandpa James also was able to come and visit while we were out there. Tyson had fun hanging out with him and Eliza was terrifed but warmed up to him when he bribed her with cookies. She will do anything for a cookie.

One night we had fun making gingerbread houses. It was fun and the first time I have ever done one. I think that it might become a Christmas tradition.

We had a Christmas party on December 23rd since we were leaving the next day. We had a big ham dinner, did a craft, read a story and did a gift exchange.