Its Begining To Look A Lot Like Christmas

We had a lot of Christmas activities that we did this year. Christmas time was a lot of fun this year because Addi is starting to understand the whole Christmas thing. I was able to threaten her with the whole Santa thing which was great for me. I tried my best to teach Addi the true meaning of Christmas. Some of it must have made an impression because we had to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus almost every day leading up to Christmas. Here's a quick run down of our Christmas related activities.
Yeah we set up the Christmas tree.
Aidan did his part to help. This ornament looked like it needed a little baby drool.
Addi got to put the star on top.
Our Beautiful Christmas tree all lit up.
We wrote our letter to Santa. I you can't see Addi wants toys and more toys and Dora presents.
We went with some friends to see the lights at Forest Park.

We made yummy Christmas treats for some friends.
We tried to stay warm by huddling together and staying in our warm jammies all day(if we weren't going any where).
If we were good we got to open an early Christmas gift.
And we got to go to daddy's work party. We had 3 parties on the same night at the same time and Jared's work party some how won.
We wrapped lots of presents, including 2 of the cutest kids you ever did see.
Aidan got a little mad when we took the wrapping paper out of his mouth.
{Yankee Candle December 13, 2010}
We headed up to yankee candle to visit Santa and tell him what we wanted for Christmas. Aidan LOVED Santa and couldn't stop smiling at him.
Addi had different feelings towards Santa.
Yankee Candle has a forest where it snows inside.

Addi wants a giant teddy bear to cuddle with.
Aidan enjoyed himself. Check out that tooth.
We played around with all the fun toys. We dressed up as princess and pirates.
We got to dip our own candles. Addi picked purple and blue for her candles.
After making her candles Addi decided that maybe she was ready to see Santa again and show him what she made.
Addi asked for Dora presents and Aidan just giggle.

{Trolley Museum December 17, 2010}
Addi kept asking to ride a train so we bundled up the kids and took them to the trolley museum.
Addi decided to put on some make up before we left and daddy thought it was cute and let he leave it on.
We rode the trolley (or train according to Addi) through the Tunnel of Lights. It was so cold so we decided to ride in the closed car which may not have been as cool but it was a lot warmer.
We hung out with Thomas even thou when we gave him a hug he kind of deflated.
We got to talk to Santa again. We didn't even know he was going to be there. This time Santa even had a little present for the kids. A book for Aidan and a jumpy thing (aka slinky) for Addi.
Inside the museum everything was covered in lights and there were model trains every where. This was Aidan's favorite part. He loved watching the trains go around. I think I see another train lover in our future.
Addi has been obsessed over Shrek lately so instead of gingerbread houses we decorated a gingerbread man.
Meet Gingy complete with gumball buttons.
And Aidan has been rolling scooting and almost crawling around getting into everything. He has eaten wrapping paper, candy canes, and orange peels.

Norman Rockwell

For our last day before grandma and grandpa went back home we took them to the Norman Rockwell Museum. I had been wanting to go and then I was at the library and noticed they had a new pass and it was to the Norman Rockwell Museum so I checked it out and off we went.
In case you don't know Norman Rockwell is famous for, among other things, his Saturday Evening Post covers. This one reminded me of a picture I have seen of Jared when he was little.
They had a kids area where the kids could do their own Saturday Evening Post cover.
Addi took hers very serious.
Aidan was just happy to be playing on the ground. We got a video of him laughing and trying to crawl with my mother-i-laws phone I will post it if she sends it to me (hint hint).
After the museum we headed into the town and checked out the Red Lion Inn and had some dinner. It started to snow a little making main street look just like it does in Norman Rockwell's picture of it.

I {heart} NYC

The day after Thanksgiving we decided to head to NYC for a little sight seeing.
We started our day with a little Shake Shack for lunch (we had kind of a late start still recovering from the night before).
Addi and Kaison were so cute together.
All of us minus Kim who was working and Randy who is taking the picture. I have one of him to photoshop in but I'm to lazy just be grateful your getting a blog post :).
Just because you can't see this cute face in the group picture. I can't believe how lucky I am to get to kiss those cheeks everyday.
Randy introduced us to some yummy banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery. I Think Addi could eat a whole carton on her own.
We saw the ice skaters and the giant Christmas tree even thou it wasn't lit yet.
We walked down 5th ave and saw all the festive windows.
we warmed up a little (and fed the baby) in St. Patrick's Cathedral I loved all the candles it was so pretty.
Our last stop for the night was FAO Schwartz, a giant toy store.
Addi loved it, but wanted everything. She would pick up one thing and ask for it then put it down because she found something better. I just kept telling her to ask Santa.
The kids had fun playing on the giant piano. This is the only picture where they both are in focus. Addi wasn't heavy enough to play the piano without stomping on the keys. After playing the piano we barely drug Addi out to meet daddy who had gone and got the car.

Gobble Gobble

We had a great Thanksgiving with lots of family. We had us, Jared's parents, his grandparents, his sister's family, and his cousins family all at his Aunt and Uncle's house. That would be 12 adults and 7 kids.
Preparing for our big feast. Its such a shame it takes all day to prepare and only mins to eat.
Aidan got teeth and started biting mommy so he lost his nursing privileges for a few days so daddy was on feeding duties for the weekend.
We met cousin Colin for the first time.
"whatcha crying about"
"Go away"
"ok I will kiss you better"
Kissing Cousins
Who is bigger? Can you believe these 2 are only 2 months apart.
Addi has been talking about her cousins ever since thanksgiving and can't wait until they come to play again.
Do you think he has modeling in his future?
This big boy is ready for his thanksgiving feast.
Randy and Ann's magnificent Turkey
"Are you sure it is Yummy?"
After dinner show performed by Addi the rock star.
After Turkey comma. Thank you Randy and Ann for another great Thanksgiving! You were very gracious hosts. It must have been some good sleep inducing turkey, because that night we were staying in a hotel. We went to the hotel and put the kids to sleep and then My MIL and I went midnight shopping at walmart. We got back about 1 am and I realized I didn't have a key, however, when I got to the room I heard the baby crying so I thought that Jared would be up with the baby. I was wrong after an hour of the baby crying, me calling Jared's phone and banging on the door Peggy found a manager to open the door. I was checking for a pulse before Jared woke up I couldn't believe it. Neither Addi or Jared woke up with all that noise it was crazy. I knew he was a heavy sleeper, but that was ridiculous. Jared now uses that as an excuse to why he can never be put on baby duty.