December 25, 2008--Christmas is here

Christmas 2008 began with opening stockings at our house. Addison was most excited by the candy in her stocking.

Obligatory Christmas pictures in front of the tree,

then off to Grandpa and Grandma's for breakfast and presents.

Behold, the Princess couch. This present of Brooklyn's caused many fights and tears on Christmas, mostly because Addison wanted to sit on it constantly!

Soon Addison got tired of opening presents, opting instead to roll around in the paper and read her High School Musical book.

Avery slept through most of the present-opening, but Santa's little helper arrived in time for her own presents.

Hardly a day goes by without Addison asking to wear a High School Musical shirt. She would wear one every day, if I would let her.

December 24, 2008--Fun with the cousins

We headed to Aaron's parents' house for the McNew Christmas. Lots of little cousins were there, so our girls had lots of fun playing.

I think Aaron looks like he has five children here--Brooklyn, Avery, Addison, Lauren and Samuel.

Samuel and Addison hugging--recall that they didn't want to do this awhile ago.

Aaron taking Avery and Lauren for a ride in the chair.

December 23, 2008--Christmas with the Staleys

On Christmas Eve Eve, we drove to Collinsville to celebrate Christmas with Lissa, Dan, Kivrin, Leigh Anne, Colin and Dennis.

Opening presents:

Addison found the circle in Dennis's house, so starting a running game which involved sliding on a rug. It was fun for awhile, until there was a collision.

December 21, 2008--Church Christmas celebration

On the Sunday before Christmas, our family was asked to light the Advent candle, so we got all dressed up for the occasion. While we got dressed, the girls played with their kitchen in their room (its location while the tree was up in its normal place in the living room).

Two Christmas cuties in front of the tree

That night, our church held their Christmas musical. Avery was Baby Jesus, with Mom and Dad playing Mary and Joseph. Everyone complimented Avery on her performance--not a cry out of her--she sat happily and played with the grass from the manger for 30 minutes!

December 12-14, 2008--Kennett Christmas

We visited Kennett in December for our traditional country Christmas with Aaron's family.

Opening gifts:

Eating socks:

Picture time:

And no trip to Kennett is complete without stopping at Lambert's:

December 12, 2008--NSI Christmas Party

Aaron's company had their Christmas party this year at the new Four Seasons Hotel downtown. The ballroom had an ajoining walkout deck, where Aaron took some shots of downtown at night:

Looking across the Mississippi River towards Illinois

The Hotel parking lot and the Eads Bridge

The Arch

December 9, 2008--Visiting Santa

We didn't end up taking the girls to the mall to see Santa this year, but they got to tell the jolly old elf what they wanted for Christmas when Santa visited a Parents-as-Teachers program. Addison didn't really want to have much to do with Santa. Maybe that will change by next year.

December 8, 2008--Buried in toys

One Monday morning while I was getting ready for work, the girls were playing in the living room...or so I thought. I walked to the front of the house to discover that Addison had buried Avery in toys! Addison often takes Avery toys when she gets fussy, so she was just being helpful. Thankfully Avery didn't seem to mind.

December 3, 2008--Decorating the Christmas tree

Last year, Aaron and I hung all the ornaments on the top two-thirds of the tree, out of reach of little hands. This year, Addison got to help us decorate the tree. She was very excited about her High School Musical ornament, which plays a song from the movie.

November 26-30, 2008--Thanksgiving in KC

We spent Thanksgiving in Kansas City this year.

Aunt Nancy and Uncle Russ got to meet Avery for the first time.

Addison got to see the geese in the pond behind my parents' house.

Paula with Avery on Thanksgiving Day.

On Thanksgiving evening, our friends Dan and Lissa brought baby Kivrin over to see the girls on their way back to Topeka. Avery liked tickling Kivrin.

Apparently I took no pictures of Thanksgiving dinner, which included my parents, Paula, my brothers and Kristen. What was I doing? Oh yeah, holding babies...

Though I should have gotten a picture of my extremely always helpful brothers teaching Addison to smash black olives with her elbow. I really cannot wait for some payback when they have kids!

November 17, 2008--Playing at home

Addie working on her Strawberry Shortcake puzzle (she just called it the "girls puzzle").

Avery sticking out her tongue.

Addie demonstrating the splits. She's been doing this for awhile but I finally got it on film.

November 14, 2008--Bedtime stories

Each night, we read stories before bedtime to Addie and Avery (if Avery hasn't already fallen asleep--she is very strict with her 8 pm bedtime!). One night, we let Addison hold Avery during stories.

Addie tickling her little sister...

...giving her a kiss...

...and what sister bonding would be complete without a little head butting.

Avery looks more than ready to (escape her sister and) go to bed!