The Day After Christmas

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Following Gunderson family tradition we headed out for bowling and Skyline on the day after Christmas. I once again lost my son to his older boy cousins and the highlight of Annabel's trip was probably the red slushie. Then we took over half the tables at Skyline and enjoyed some chili together.

Christmas Night

Christmas night was celebrated with my dad's side of the family at my parents' house this year. Griffin adores his older boy cousins to whom we lost him the second they showed up. I think I talked to him twice that night. Annabel, on the other hand, who is very shy with new people and was battling a cold, hung by my side the whole night. We had a great time with family, as always.

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning this year started at 7:30 when the kids got up. We opened presents and the best quote we heard was "I have always wanted this!" from Griffin. Then we headed to 9:30 mass and then we had my immediate family over for brunch and more presents. Everything was wonderful except for we all sorely missed having the Moore family in town to celebrate this year. We can't wait to celebrate with all four (!) of them next year :)

Christmas Eve

This year we spent the whole day on Christmas Eve with the Lyons family, first immediate and then at night, extended family. It was a great way to start off our three days of straight parties. Not sure my kids have bathed in the past 3 days or gone to bed before 10 for the past 3 days but they have loved EVERY second of it (at least Griffin has, his sister is battling a tough cold and she has had her moments).

Krohn's Conservatory

Scott took the kids to see the train display and Nativity scene at Krohn's Conservatory while I worked on Master Teacher paper (All done!!!!!). Then they went to Zip's for lunch. Thanks to dad for taking over on 3 different weekend days so I could get this project completed.

Preschool Christmas Performance

For Griffin's preschool Christmas celebration the parents got to come in to eat birthday cake for Jesus' birthday and then to hear the kids sing Christmas tunes. Griffin wasn't to thrilled about the singing in front of everyone even though he knows more words to Christmas songs than I do. He looked like he was in pain while they were singing but we were proud of him for standing up there in front of everyone without crying :)

Breakfast with Santa

You won't see any pictures of Santa here as both children refused to get close to him this time but they had fun eating waffles and sausage, decorating cookies, making gingerbread houses and looking at the trains.

Claire's 2nd Birthday Party

Thanks Claire and the Helwig Family for a fun afternoon in this cold weather!

Accessories

Both kids right now are really into "accessories". Annabel loves necklaces, shoes, hats and purses and Griffin loves caps, slippers and his handmade beaded bracelets. We usually leave the house with about 5-10 accessories and return with 0-5. In this picture they are helping dad make waffles with some of their accessories.

Griffin's 3 Yr Old Class Pictures

Not productive but a step in the right direction...

Advent Calendar

Every night we get excited to cross off another day. Thanks to the best nanny in the world. We really won the jackpot with her.

Mariemont Luminaria 2011

Yesterday was the perfect day for Luminaria. It was in the high 40's and sunny and the kids had a blast. Griffin was very excited to "go to Skyline, drink hot chocolate, give Santa my list and ride with the horses". Of course, his favorite part was actually spending time with his cousins. Griffin must have asked one million times when he got to Santa and when we got to actually see him he was literally speechless. He just stared and stared. Annabel, on the other hand, may be scarred because of the event. She did NOT like Santa and she let him know it.