Christmas

Here are some highlights from our Christmas...

After going to the Christmas Eve service at our church, we headed over to grandpa's house for dinner.

Adeline loved spending time with so much extended family over Christmas!

Grandpa & Addie singing together

After we left grandpa's, we stopped by our good friends' house and visited with them for a little bit.

Addie and Riley being goofy with silly glasses

We have a tradition that Adeline gets to open 1 gift (new pjs) on Christmas Eve from us before she goes to bed.  

Christmas morning...

Addie is enjoying opening her stocking stuffers...

Addie's checking to make sure that her favorite song (Holy, Holy, Holy) is on this CD...:)

 "Oh, wait...what's this thing over here?!"

Addie got the last piece of her kitchen set for Christmas.  She got the other 2 pieces for her birthday in October.  Now it's complete!

Go Bears!

We had grandpa over for brunch late morning on Christmas Day.

Patrick is loving Addie's new legos...can you tell?!

Happy Birthday Jesus!!

We drove to Chicago to be with Patrick's family late day on Christmas.  We enjoyed our time with Patrick's parents, sisters, and brother's family.  Addie's cousins Kyra & Ella gave so much attention to Addie, and she loved every minute of it!

Addie with Auntie Kay

Addie helping Grandma open a present

Addie with Auntie Kamiah

Addie & Grandpa

Playing with her new doll house with Ella

Merry Christmas!

 

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...

Of course, nothing crazy happened in Vegas...just stayed at a great hotel, dined at great restaurants, took some fun walks to see sites, did a little shopping, and enjoyed time with family...

When Joel & Hye-Young were here for Thanksgiving, they mentioned they were taking a weekend getaway trip to Vegas in December just for fun.   They asked if we wanted to join them, and we said sure!  I have never been there, and Addie obviously has not either (we realize it's not really a popular place to take a toddler).  Patrick has been there a few times on work trips but for very brief periods of time.  I must say, it's quite an interesting place to visit!  We had a great time with Joel & Hye-Young.  Adeline was an awesome little traveler and just went with the flow so we were quite proud of her.

Adeline enjoying her own Jamba Juice smoothie at the airport

With a tummy full of a smoothie, Addie took a little snooze on the flight

"Uncle Joel" & "Auntie Hye-Young" are on the top 10 most frequently used words by Addie after spending the weekend with them...

Going up the escalator like a big girl!

Happy First Anniversary Joel & Hye-Young!

 Patrick took his girls to Paris (that is, the Paris Hotel, in Vegas)...

This is the view out our window!  It is a beautiful hotel!

Daddy and Adeline dancing to some tunes in the hotel room - He's a pretty wonderful dad, if I may say so!  How many dads dance with their 2 year old daughters on a bed in a hotel room and has fun doing it?!

Across the street from our hotel is the famous Bellagio and every night, they have a beautiful water show!

The Bellagio had an impressive Christmas display inside on their main floor!

Addie coloring in her "hello kitty" coloring book at the hotel before bedtime

From time to time, Patrick catches an episode of "Pawn Stars" on cable TV.  It's about people who come into this Vegas pawn shop to either sell or buy very unique and interesting things.  Since we were in Vegas, we went and checked it out.

We tried many different great restaurants while we were there.  If you ever get to Vegas, try out "Spago."  It's a great place to eat!

Addie's Nativity Set

Addie now has her own nativity set, so as we've displayed ours in the house, she has been busy playing with hers.  She has been learning who all was at the manger the night baby Jesus was born.

 After Addie tipped all of the little people over, she told me that "everyone is going nigh-night."

Addie loves our Christmas tree and amazingly enough, she has been very "gentle" with the ornaments.  But notice that there are no gifts under our tree yet.  Addie became quite a pro at opening gifts after her second birthday so.....we've kept the Christmas gifts hidden until Christmas day. :)

Snow

Can you tell it's winter in Minnesota?  It is beautiful here right now...everything is so white and clean!  Adeline loved her time playing in the snow.  Last year, she wasn't too keen about it, but this year's a different story.  She didn't even mind that it took so long to put her snow gear on!  Addie was all smiles playing and being pulled on the sled by daddy.

Our Christmas Tree

I say this every year (Patrick tells me), but I think we have the most beautiful Christmas tree ever this year!  First of all, I think it's the largest tree we have ever had, but more than it's size, it's just beautiful...the color, the branches...everything.  I wish all of you could see it in person.  Here is a recap of our adventure in getting our tree set up!