Some Random Holiday Photos

Here is a random assortment of Holiday 2008 photos:

Annika's first concert- The two kindergarten classes sang Countdown to Christmas. (and Ring those Bells and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer). The Kindergarteners were really lively and did a wonderful job singing. I could even hear Annika at times (some of the kids around her were a little bit on the shy side when it came to singing). By the way, Annika has been singing these songs for at least a month. I love hearing her sing!Girlies and their stockings...after we came back from our trip to Michigan we realized that Santa had in fact stopped at our house! Just look at that expression! Ava gets her own Pez candy dispenser. Apparently it's what she's always wanted!

Girlies in front our tree....which is still up. I've decided to take it down after my birthday. It's so cheerful and it's so not cheerful outside- so why take it down now?

Annika eating freshly fallen snow.
Okay...here's where the Michigan photos begin.

I just have to tell you about our drive there. It was NUTS! Naturally the day we decided to drive there we had blizzard-like conditions to drive through. I think we saw more upside down vehicles on this trip than on all other drives (including Alaska!) combined. And guess what? All but one of them were SUVs or trucks. We had to get to Michigan early so that Santa's helper could wrap gifts (that he'd so cleverly sent home with Grandma and Grandpa after Thanksgiving). Oh...and the trip that normally takes us 6-7 hours took us 13 freaking hours. Thank goodness we bought a new portable DVD player. I'm pretty sure we would have gone insane without it.

Lily and Annika meet their new Cousin Miles (born on November 10). Isn't he darling?

Annika loved being near and holding Miles.

Christmas Day Dinner.

One of the main reasons for this big family gathering- Miles' Baptism. Ummm...I love my ginormous cardigan but it does make me look at 5olbs heavier than I am (or at least I hope that's why I look so large!)

Ava had to try out her Cousins' rollerblades. I think we might have to invest in a pair or two of them as both girls thought it was fun. (Ava did need help)
Annika got this pretty scooter for Christmas...and she just loves it! Here she's zooming around...and she's been zooming around our house ever since we came home.

Ava and her new tricycle. Santa brought it for her. He must have seen her try them out at Wal-Mart while she was shopping with her mommy. I'm glad he picked the pink and purple one...

Okay...here's the scoop on these skis. Santa brought them for Annika. Annika tried them out but she decided that she'd had enough "skiing" before I could get outside to take photos. Next in line to try out the skis was Ava followed closely by Cousin Lily.

Ava's "combed her hair with an egg beater" hairdo.

Annika with her most prized Christmas gift...how on Earth did Santa know that she wanted a camera??? She's only been talking about a camera for months. This isn't a toy camera either- it takes real photos. They're not great but who cares? She's had a blast with it ever since she got it.

Girlies with Grandma. What a cute cloak Annika has! (or is it a cape???)

Six semi-cooperative Cousins. Thank goodness the drive home was uneventful! We are super glad and thankful for a wonderful Christmas with our family. The girlies were sooooo sad to have to leave and go home. They played so hard while we were in Michigan.