Christmas 2009

We had a very nice Christmas again this year. Christmas is just so much more magical with kids. And to add to that magic we had a white Christmas! Santa and his reindeer made their appearance, evidenced by the reindeer footprints and sleigh tracks in the snow. Santa ate all of his cookies and milk (which for me as a child was the absolute proof that Santa had been there), and the kids got lots of good stuff. The jolly old man brought the kids most of what they asked for, as well as a little kitchen complete with pots and pans and plastic food too big to fit on the plates! They were both very excited about it, and have already spent hours cooking, going grocery shopping and putting it all away.

Austin was very nervous this year about being on the nice list; he has been extra ornery to his little sister. He was very relieved when we went to see Santa (which went well by the way, Aubrey sat on his lap-briefly-and let them take a picture), because he got a card assuring Austin he was in fact on the "nice" list. Mommy and daddy have wondered a few times however!

Opening presents

We spent Christmas eve day baking 'candy cane cookies', which was a tradition in my house growing up. They are basically just sugar cookies, but to half of the dough red food coloring is added so that the 'white' dough and the 'red' dough can be rolled together and shaped into candy canes. The cookies themselves are not that great, and I have learned that Santa didn't really like eating them that much when I was little, and my mom didn't really like to make them that much, but on with tradition! I think Grandma had much more fun making them with the grand- kids instead!

Ummm...yummy!

Daddy and Austin spent a few hours outside on Christmas playing in the snow. We got quite a bit for Oklahoma, and they enjoyed playing football and making snowballs to throw at mommy when I went out to take pictures. They are both already on the naughty list for next year!

Look at all that snow!!

Making snowballs

Throwing snowballs

We had a great time with Grandma and Papa, and even got in some bowling, both at the alley and in the hallway. Austin loves to bowl with Papa (aka make Papa set up the pins so Austin can bowl). We were all sad to see them go home. But we made lots of memories to last until the next visit, which is never soon enough.