FINALLY!!!!! Christmas 2012

Norah kept asking to string popcorn and cranberries again, but really I think she just wanted to eat popcorn ;)

after popcorn was COOKIES!  Joel, Evan, and Ayla came over to join the decorating fun

 

Evan's designs were very precise and evenly spaced - Joel said they were very "Mimi" 

the eyeballs (leftover from the froggie cupcakes) were a huge hit with the girls.  Who doesn't love a candycane or tree with eyes???

Christmas Eve Day we decided to get out of the house and go for a walk - went to the playground for a bit

and headed over to the frog pond where the kids enjoyed poking the ice with sticks

this is the most amazing ice that formed around the pond

Alex's awesome find at the pond was a real arrow stuck in the ice!  It went together very well with his home made bow.

more amazing ice!  as a geologist, I couldn't get enough of it!

Early Christmas morning just Norah and I were awake so I said she could open one of her gifts from Daddy and I.

I think Santa came!!!!

All my baby wanted for Christmas was a squirrel trap... so of course he got one!

new kitty and blanket from the TX cousins!

new video camera from Grandma & Grandpa

Now for Christmas Take 2 at Mimi's!!!!!

Sam looks very excited to be covered in all Norah's gifts

She is loving the lip gloss!

The boys and the walkie talkies - soon dubbed "walkie yellies" by Papa

Ayla's losing a little steam

Putting together Ayla's gift from Uncle Wally

She's even too tired to keep putting stickers on her face

'Twas a very pony Christmas

Evan worked diligently for HOURS putting together the Lego ship The Bounty from Ninjago

What can I say????

Concert time!  She was also taking requests