Christmas Eve

This year Gramma and Grampa came here for Christmas so we were able to show them our house all decorated and share our Christmas traditions with them. We had our usual Christmas Eve dinner of shrimp and scallops that was delicious! Then after dinner the girls opened presents that we received in the mail from family and friends who don't live nearby (so they don't get lost in the shuffle Christmas morning). They were so excited to open more presents! And they got some great gifts! Then we set out cookies and chocolate milk with a silly straw for Santa. And finally, we all listened to the story of "Twas the Night before Christmas" before the girls went up to bed.

 

Sierra opening her American Girl Doll pet

 



 

Avery got a Spelling Bee game for her DS

 



 

Sierra got a book called Pete the Cat which is so funny!

 



 

After presents, Gramma tried to teach Sierra how to play piano...it didn't go so well.

 



 

Avery had fun playing her new Spelling Bee game...I think she got that one right!

 



Then, Avery joined in on the fun at the piano.

Christmas in Pennsylvania

We spent the weekend before Christmas in Pennsylvania at Gramma and Grampa's. It was a quick trip, but I think we were able to fit everything in that we usually do, along with a little play time out in the snow in between. We arrived Friday night, so we woke up to presents under the tree Saturday morning. After opening them with Gramma , Grampa, Aunt Jacey, and Uncle Paul, we went to Kraynak's to see their beautiful Christmas Village set up.

Patiently waiting with Aunt Jacey to see what was under the Christmas tree

 The girls each got an awesome new suitcase

 

 And a Fur Real Bouncy Puppy along with many, many other great presents!

 

 Posing in front of one of the beautiful diplays at Kraynak's

Saturday evening, we went to Great Grandma and Great Grandpa's to celebrate with the whole Saylor Family. We had a delicious Christmas dinner and opened more presents.

 Sierra loved Ellie, the newest addition to the family

 

 Sierra, Ellie, Braden, Erika, & Aunt Jacey relaxing on the couch

 

 The girls taking a break from handing out all of the presents

 Opening more presents!

And, finally, Sunday morning, everyone came to Gramma and Grampa's for Gramma's wonderful brunch and the Steeler's not-so-wonderful game. Even Santa made an early appearance to say "Hi" to us! It was such a great weekend!

 Avery, Sierra, Ellie & Braden

 

 Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa with their four beautiful great grandchildren

 

 The girls with Aunt Jacey & Uncle Paul

 

And, of course, Santa!

Our School Holiday Programs

The girls both had holiday programs at school. At Avery's program, each grade performed two songs. She sang "My Red Sled" and "If I Could Fly Like a Snowflake." She and her class did a great job! Unfortunately, it was very crowded so we didn't get any great pictures.

Avery is on the stage in the grey and black striped dress.

Sierra's preschool program was 15 minutes of holiday favorites including "Up on the Housetop", and "Jingle Bells." She did a great job, too. And we all had fun at her class party after the show!

 Sierra and her friends making their entrance

 

Ready for the show!

A Santa Weekend

A few weeks before Christmas, we had a Santa filled weekend. It started out with a Breakfast with Santa at Avery's school. We had a nice breakfast, then, we got to sit with Santa for a bit. There was even a store set up where Avery was able to get her shopping done for all of us.

Avery & Sierra posing with Avery's school mascot, The Lake Street Lion

 Enjoying a yummy breakfast

 

 Avery wishing for her two front teeth for Christmas!

 

 

 

After we left Avery's school, we drove to Rhode Island to catch the Polar Express train ride.  First, we checked into our hotel near the train station and got in a little pool time. Then, the girls put on their pajamas for the train ride. Once everyone was on board, we got to hear the story of The Polar Express while we ate chocolate chip cookies and drank hot chocolate. We made our way up to The North Pole which was all lit up. And then, Santa and Mrs. Claus got on the train with us and visited with all of the kids. Santa gave each kid a bell from his sleigh! Then, we sang christmas caroles with some of Santa's elves on the way back. It was so much fun!



 Avery & Sierra taking a dip in the pool

 

 Waiting for the train to arrive

 

 Sierra & Mommy on board

 

 And Daddy & Avery too!

 

Sierra & Avery sitting with Santa!

Our Visit with Nana and Grandpa

For the second half of November and the first few days of December, Nana and Grandpa were here visiting to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and have  lots of fun!  Here are some pictures of all the fun stuff that kept us so busy.

 

 Grandpa wanted to go to nearby Brookfield Orchard. Obviously, we didn't pick apples , but we had fun strolling through the gift shop and playing on the playground. Here's Sierra & Grandpa having fun on the seesaw!

 

 Avery & Sierra started their gymnastics classes and they both LOVE it!! . Here's Sierra getting ready to do a bridge.

 

 

Avery on the uneven bars

 

 

Enjoying our Thanksgiving Feast!

 The day after Thanksgiving we went to The Big Balloon Parade in Springfield, MA. It was similar to the Macy's Parade on a much, much smaller scale. It was perfect for the Girls and we all loved it!

 The Cat in the Hat Balloon

 

 One of the many clowns

 

 The Shriners were on Go-Carts driving over their van. It was very cool!

 

And,of course, Santa on a fire truck!

 



 

Then, we shifted to gears to Christmas. Nana & Grandpa helped us put up our tree and all of our decorations! 



 Saturday morning, we woke up to presents under the tree from Nana and Grandpa

 

 Avery showing off some Legos

 

 Sierra with a new scooter for Kit.

 

 Posing with Nana & Grandpa after opening all of our presents.

 

 Nana and the girls making an awesome Gingerbread house!

 

 Posing with the finished product

 

 And here's a close-up!

 

 Grandpa and the girls did a great job on our Christmas Village.

 

 One of our gifts for Nana & Grandpa was tickets to see The Nutcracker. Here's the girls & Nana getting ready to go to the show.

 

 And here we are at the theater. The girls loved the show!

 

 We also went to see Santa at the mall. Here are the girls on the train and, below, posing in Santa's village.

 

 Avery's school had a Family Luncheon so Nana, Grandpa, Sierra , and I got to have lunch with Avery at school. We had a nice spaghetti lunch and it was so fun seeing Avery at school with her friends and on her playground.

 Here she is doing her favorite thing at recess...the monkey bars.

 

 And Sierra fit right in out on the playground!