Christmas 2011

What a wonderful Christmas for Brielle! She enjoyed Christmas # 3 with Granddad Scott and Christmas # 4 with Grandma Pat and Grandma Sue!

And we were fortunate to have Uncle Kevin, Aunt Anoosh, and Cousins Sylvia and Tavio staying with us through all the celebrations!

 

Brielle showed her cousins the Christmas tree and Thomas the Train toy running around it.

And she showed everyone how she can draw a person.

  

The kids did a wonderful job sharing toys with each other. We were impressed that Brielle wasn't upset to see other kids playing with her things. Instead, she was extremely happy to have two fun playmates around.

 

Brielle sang karaoke with Tavio...

 

...built towers and bridges with Sylvia...

...and played kickball with Granddad.

The weather outside was cold and sometimes wet outside, so we were lucky the kids were able to amuse themselves inside for long periods of time.

 

 We gave Granddad an early Christmas gift (digital camera) so he could start catching cute kid moments early in the trip.

 

It matched his Santa outfit!

 Brielle was ready with her "cheese!" face.

One morning we headed out to Pump It Up, where the kids enjoyed playing on inflatable slides and obstacle courses and making faces in the funny mirrors.

On Christmas morning, we started by revealing Brielle's big gift from Mommy and Daddy. We expected her to throw off the cover, but instead she just walked around to the other side...silly Mommy and Daddy...

 

Brielle got her own kid-sized kitchen! She enjoyed exploring the appliances and little food items.

 

And all three kids had many days of cooking pretend food and beverages. It was large enough to fit everyone.

Tavio took a particular liking to the kitchen.

Sylvia made apple soup.

And Brielle made...baby penguin soup?! Or maybe she was making a hot tub for him.

 

Then it was time to open stockings! Brielle waited patiently.

Brielle and Sylvia showed off the matching flowers they found in their stockings.

Then it was time to open gifts!

 

 

We pretty much took turns, but of course some happy chaos ensued as well.

 

There were so many great new toys to play with.

 

Brielle loved her new scooter from Granddad and immediately started riding it around the house.

Brielle wanted to watch Sylvia and Tavio during their evening bath. It wasn't long before she started taking off her clothes and joined them. The kids took several baths together and enjoyed playing with their new bath toys, like bath crayons and road and vehicle stickers for the walls.

The kids (and adults) were sad to say goodbye to Granddad Scott. He spent many hours playing with them and making them laugh. Luckily it was only a short wait until the next celebration began with Grandma Sue and Grandma Pat!

 

Grandma Sue showed Sylvia and Brielle photos of their other cousins, Cole, Charlie, and Graeme.

The next day, we enjoyed yet another Christmas celebration. We love these Christmases that never seem to end.

 

Brielle loved her gifts (as well as the other kids' gifts).

 

Both Brielle and Sylvia were excited by their new clothes and immediately put them on. They modeled the new outfits for everyone.

Brielle was particularly excited by a toy Jessie and Bullseye (horse) from the Toy Story movies. She loves putting on her own Jessie costume from Halloween and playing with her.

 

Another wonderful Christmas celebration. For the next few days, the kids danced and played with each other and with Grandmas Pat and Sue.

Thank you to Granddad Scott, Grandma Pat, Grandma Sue, Uncle Kevin, Aunt Anoosh, and Cousins Sylvia and Tavio for traveling out here for Christmas and for all the great gifts. We had such a wonderful time with everyone.

Happy New Year!!!