Princess gear was the big hit with Kate this year. She should have gotten enough dress-up clothes and accessories to last her until she's 13.
Auntie was trying to get a good picture with Kate. Kate never had a good one. But this one is good of Auntie and Papa.
Here we are...in all our glory. And look, Kate actually has a nice smile in this one. Papa, BonBon...you look great, but it's supposed to be a silly shot.
Christmas morning found us quietly on our own for a little while. We were camped out at our good friends' house while they were away with their family. I hauled all our presents over there so the ladies would no be disappointed on Christmas morning. Padyn was already very concerned about whether Santa would know where to find her or not. I didn't want a major melt-down Christmas morning, so the car got loaded up the night before while the girls were sleeping.The girls had a stack of presents to open from us and a few from Santa. Most of the items were articles of clothing (remember the nightgowns? That's where they came in), but there were a few toys. A big red scooter for Kate and some baby doll accessories for Padyn. One of the things I put in each of their stockings was a game. Here they are learning to play Barrel of Monkeys. Daddy clearly rocks at this one.
Searching for goodies.
Yup, more dress-up clothes. But hey, it was on clearance for $4 at Target. How could I not buy it. And no, that's not our piano. Gan would be very upset if we took that home with us. 
Christmas evening found us at my grandmother's house, which was a little bizarre since my grandmother was in the hospital after having a heart attack the week before. (She's doing well, thank you for asking) Rather than cancel Christmas with my extended family on my dad's side (aunts, uncles, cousins and more cousins-I think it was 29 once you counted all the kidlets and babies) we gathered anyway. Not as many presents, and none that the girls opened that night (and boy did I hear about that from miss Padyn!) but still another celebration, late night, and craziness. We were all done by the end.
Yup, more dress-up clothes. But hey, it was on clearance for $4 at Target. How could I not buy it. And no, that's not our piano. Gan would be very upset if we took that home with us. Christmas evening found us at my grandmother's house, which was a little bizarre since my grandmother was in the hospital after having a heart attack the week before. (She's doing well, thank you for asking) Rather than cancel Christmas with my extended family on my dad's side (aunts, uncles, cousins and more cousins-I think it was 29 once you counted all the kidlets and babies) we gathered anyway. Not as many presents, and none that the girls opened that night (and boy did I hear about that from miss Padyn!) but still another celebration, late night, and craziness. We were all done by the end.We should be done now. We are enjoying the rest of Padyn's Christmas vacation alternating between vegging out at home and visiting with friends. We are not planning any big outings, though Padyn does keep mentioning wanting to ice skate. I don't think Mommy's ever expanding belly would do well with that, nor do I think it would match Padyn's expectations. Tonight she asked me if there was a house nearby with a pond that we could skate on. (Too much Angelina Ballerina Ice Skating book). We might need to wait until next year. Besides, she has tiny feet. I don't know that they make ice skates small enough for her.
If I don't post again beforehand, Happy New Year.
Can you guess what Kate's favorite present was?
She was SO excited and SO proud of all her new dress up clothes. And the best part? Now she has her own and doesn't have to ask Padyn if she can wear her fancy dress anymore. (Padyn always says no. And then Kate cries. So much fun for Mommy.) Kate was very generous and let her sister and cousin wear the dresses, too. She just kept demanding that they switch because she wanted to wear them ALL.
And of course, Christmas would not be Christmas without some miniature disaster. Today it was the tree trying to fall on top of me while we were opening presents. Here are Daddy and Uncle Paul trying to fix it. 
One Christmas celebration down, three to go. Hopefully we'll remember Baby Jesus somewhere amidst all the presents.
While I was visiting, the girls stayed with Grandma and Grandpa. They really liked doing this:
and this...
Oh, and just to be completely random, this is Padyn's newest favorite game. She's quite happy to play it by herself while I spin the wheel. Good thing, too. Auntie keeps falling over and Kate just wants to pick up the mat all the time. Oh, and Mommy won't even try. I'm not that pregnant yet, but it's a good excuse.
