A Few Final December Pics

During December Jacob discovered the joy of string and long ribbons. He began tying knots everywhere and wrapping furniture and toys with string. He also loved tying our appliances and other things together creating "booby traps". Here he is in action! In December Anna worked on perfecting her walking!

For some reason she loved putting towels over her head while she walked! It totally cracked us up! Anna also discovered the joy of push toys!
Both kiddos love sharing a snack!

Christmas Part IV: Christmas Day

Christmas Day was so fun! I've always loved the Christmas season but having two sweet little kids has made it even that much more fun!! Jacob was eagerly anticipating Santa on Christmas Eve but when he woke up Christmas morning he had forgotten or just wasn't in too big of a hurry. We were able to keep him upstairs for several minutes while we waited for my parents to arrive and see all the action. I have a feeling this will be the last year that he'll be patient Christmas morning!

Jacob asked Santa for a firetruck and ambulance for himself and a cell phone for Anna. Santa brought these gifts and then some! Our Christmas morning is not complete without Jimmy's awesome Santa footed pajamas. My mom gave these to him in 2009 after Jimmy had commented that he wish he could have cozy footed pajamas like Jacob. They are now a fabulous Christmas tradition. :)
Anna was thrilled to receive clothes from Santa!
Here Anna is playing with our Little People nativity set. Both Jacob and Anna loved playing with the set throughout the Christmas season. It was so neat to see Jacob beginning to learn the story of Jesus's birth and for him to point out nativity scenes when we were out. We are amazed and excited at the questions he has begun to ask about Jesus!
Nana and Gramps also had stockings for Anna and Jacob. This blow-up snowman was a HUGE hit in our house.
The kids weren't the only ones who received great gifts!
My family has always had a lot of fun with stocking stuffers. David was lucky to receive a doo rag from Jimmy and me.
David taking the doo rag out of the package. Love it!
How good does he look?!
We also might have bought him fake poop. :) I know, I know, gross, but the laugh was worth it.

I LOVE this sweet picture!
We also got quite the laugh over my parents both giving each other lots of mechanical pencils! GrandDad and Sharon also joined us for Christmas fun!Anna's received this "trike" from Santa. Although you cannot tell from this picture she LOVES it and requests it everytime we go in the garage. She thinks she is such a big girl on it!
Anna also loves her cell phone from Santa and keeps it in her purse from Nana and Gramps. Jacob was very excited about his M&Ms, his favorite candy!
We had such a wonderful Christmas and are already looking forward to next year!

Christmas Part III: Christmas Eve Festivities

We spent Christmas Eve at my parents' house and had such a fun day playing, cooking, and eating!

Anna has discovered how fun the red car is and loves getting in and out of it and being pushed around and around. Jacob and Nana worked together on the Swedish boula bread. Jacob had lots of fun being a "big helper", especially with the flour!
It was debatable if Jacob or the boula had more flour on it! I took him outside to "dust" him off. He had so much fun! A change of clothes and we were ready for Christmas Eve church service

Sometimes candids are the cutest!After church the kids enjoyed a little more play time before having our family's traditional Swedish Christmas Eve dinner

Jacob taking a quick call from Santa to ensure he was on his way

Gramps and Jacob playing Golden Tee

This picture just makes me laugh!

After a yummy dinner the kids were excited to open presents from Nana, Gramps and Uncle David!

Clean-up time! It's a good thing Jacob got a new vacuum!

Christmas Part II: Lights and Jacob's School Party

Our family was a huge fan of Christmas lights this year! Several evenings we put the kids in the stroller and had a fun evening walk around our neighborhood. A few other evenings we loaded them up in the car and drove around nearby neighborhoods. Anna cracked us up with her "oohs and aahs" and Jacob loved seeing the "blow-ups" and things that moved. However, the best night was when we went to see the lights in Sunnyside. The kids really enjoyed being able to get out and walk and see everything there was to see. We started the evening with a Mexican dinner and finished it out with peppermint chocolate chip milkshakes from Chick-fil-a. We all decided this evening would be an annual tradition! Jacob's school party was so sweet and fun. Here he is opening his gift from "Mrs. Claus".

The kids having their music time. I love these sweet pictures!

Christmas Part I: Meeting Santa

We took the kids to my parents' neighborhood's "Pancake Breakfast with Santa". It was a fantastic event and we decided it would be an annual tradition. Jacob was very excited to meet Santa. Anna....not so much! Jacob is telling Santa he would like a firetruck and ambulance for Christmas. Anna was still unsure of Santa but stopped the screaming for a quick family picture. In addition to pancake breakfast and meeting Santa, the event had a train ride, pony ride, and a firetruck. It was so much fun! Here we are taking the train ride. Jacob was so excited!After the train ride it was time to ride a pony!Anna wanted to ride the pony too but we decided she needed to wait a year!After the pony ride it was time to check out the firetruck. Finally we wrapped up the day with playing on the playground. We had such a fun morning!!