Christmas Fun

Last week, we finally got our Christmas tree. Bailey was already asleep, but we went anyway knowing that if we didn't go that night we probably wouldn't go at all. Once we got to the Christmas tree place, she woke up ready to select our tree. The tree we picked, was the first tree in the first aisle in the lot so it was meant to be.

I'm with Bailey on this one--flocked trees are very scary! Who even buys trees like this? But Bailey did think it was real snow, so that explains the tears. Here she is seconds after she was strapped in her car seat; she was exhausted.

This past weekend, Kyle, Sam, and the twins came down to celebrate Christmas early. On Saturday night, we took the kids to the amazing house in San Marcos that has more than 80,000 lights. The other fun part is that on the weekend they have Santa there for the kids; when Santa is there, that means mini candy canes which is Bailey's highlight of the season!

Bailey is totally mesmerized by Christmas lights and loves to look at them.

Here she is with Santa right after he gave her a candy cane, so she is so excited. It's so funny that she has no fear and will walk up to complete strangers dressed in red, just becuase she knows she'll get a candy cane. Once the kids all had their mouths filled with candy, we could get them to pose for as many pictures as we wanted. Bailey and Kate were the most obedient, holding hands the entire time. I'm not sure they were aware that they were holding hands, but were sure loving their candy canes.

Now compare the above picture with the ones below from last year's trip to see the Christmas lights. It's so amazing how all three of them have grown! They are 11 months apart, so it's great to watch the twins and see what Bailey will be like in a year.

Christmas Lights 2008

Here's our family:

We also had a fun family Christmas party complete with games, prizes, food, presents, and a fun family gift exchange. I think we might start a new family tradition because it was so much fun! We made beautiful graham cracker houses in teams of two (one person was the eyes, the other was the hands), Brian made yummy food, Aaron introduced us to a new Christmas game, and then had our Golden Partridge gift exchange (not a white elephant gift, but a real Christmasy gift--hence the name).

Here's the whole family--Merry Christmas 2009!

This picture of the girls is symbolic of the night--Kate: cute and angelic, Bailey: about to lose her mind from all of the excitment.

By the end of the night, Bailey had completely gone nuts--but in a good way. Her smile is one of sheer joy and craziness!

The Worst Holiday Tradition Ever!

This Christmas will be the fifth Christmas that Brian and I have spent together since we were married. Three out of the past five holiday seasons, our family has had the flu (and one I was pregnant and felt like throwing up)! Being sick during the holidays is the absolute worst tradition ever--I do not recommend it to anyone!

This is a picture of Bailey in her sick nest that she spent a lot of time in on Sunday.

Last Friday Bailey came down with the flu, so all weekend we were on puke patrol. Sunday was my field hockey banquet, so luckily I wasn't sick on Sunday. But because I had been dealing with sick baby all weekend, I was very under prepared. Monday Brian stayed home with Bailey just in case she was still sick. It was her first day with no puke and she actually ate a few bites of applesauce, so we thought she was done. Early, early Tuesday I got the flu and stayed home. Brian took Bailey to daycare and we thought all was well--boy were we wrong. Around noon on Tuesday, Brian called to tell me that he was coming home because he was now sick too! Tuesday around 4:00, I got a call that Bailey had gotten sick again at Christy's house, so puke patrol back on :( Thank goodness my family is around because they went and picked up Bailey and kept her Tuesday night while Brian and I laid around in misery together. But that was not rock bottom--Tuesday night around 8:00 Doby, my dog, got sick! At that point it felt like someone was playing a terrible joke or that my family had been cursed.

Brian went back to work today and Bailey was able to make it daycare without getting sick, but I stayed home today bedridden again. So that is what my life has been like the past six days--filled with sickness and not holiday cheer.

Now here are some pictures of some good holiday traditions:

Coronado Christmas:

One Sunday in December, we always go down to Coronado with Brian's family. We go to the Hotel Del and look at their beautiful Christmas tree and then eat lunch on the beach. Roxann always makes delicious food and it's usually still nice weather. The tree this year was decorated with red and white snowmen and santas; it was my favorite tree that I've ever seen. Our lunch on the beach was fun, despite being attacked by a flock of seagulls and the slight winter breeze.

Here is Roxann with both of the girls:

Here are some pictures of the whole family:

While down on the beach, Bailey was either yelling at the birds or making California "snow" angels.

Baby Jesus:

Bailey is completely obsessed with baby Jesus. Last year my mom got us a Little People nativity set for Christmas and this year Bailey loves it! She plays with it all the time, which is a good thing to distract her from my nativity set that my mom gave to me. If Bailey is missing and quiet for even a couple of minutes, I know she's down playing with the nativity. She's actually really good about just looking at them and talking to them, but one day she decided she wanted to kiss all of the animals. She can name all of the animals and the people and the star; I know she's going to be really sad when it's time to put them away. It feels funny to ask her if she wants to play with the baby Jesus because that's something I never imagined myself saying.

Here's Bailey playing with my nativity set, talking to all of the animals and the baby:

Here she is giving the camel a kiss:

Just for fun, I french braided Bailey's hair and I couldn't resist a picture:

Here's Bailey in some Christmas PJs that came complete with a tutu!