A Few Steps Back

Before we left for Missouri Uncle Drew came over and we celebrated Christmas with him. We opened gifts from Grandma Judy and Grandpa Steve, we all had a great time!

I think I almost blinded Ellie with my flash. Sorry honey!

Ellie opening a present from Uncle Drew.

Chris helping Meggie with the block Uncle Drew got her.

Ellie was so excited to get a Barbie from Grandma and Grandpa. It has been her constant companion since!

Meggie playing with Ellie's Winnie The Pooh computer.

The girls helping Daddy open the big package from Grandma and Grandpa.

Daddy and the girls getting ready to assemble Meggie's new door!
I had one present under the tree that I was not expecting. Chris got me an external hard drive for all of my RAW file images. Thanks babe!

Meggie playing with the NERF darts while Chris put her door together.

The door is almost done!

Ellie making good use of the box the play door came in.

Thanks for all of the great gifts Grandma Judy and Grandpa Steve! They were all great!

Christmas!

We woke up on Christmas morning to find that Santa had visited! He left all of us big stockings filled with great goodies! Cousin Brett was a little under the weather but seemed to have a good Christmas despite feeling crumby.

Ellie playing with a Slinky. Santa did not leave her a Slinky, but she adopted the Slinky Santa brought Brett.

Chris playing with his new HD video camera. It is very cool! Hopefully he will have some video to post to the blog!

 

Chris trying to get Ellie on video. She is very squirmy!

I had a nice little spot right by the fireplace. It was cozy and comfy!

Meggie stealing some chocolate covered pecans from Daddy!

Cousin Will being super cute!

 

Ellie and Meggie playing with their new toys.

Ellie playing with her new Strawberry Shortcake Pony and Slinky.

Our sweet girl on Christmas Morning.

Cousin Brett and Aunt Sarah taking it easy. Brett got an ATM that he loves!

As a gift from Mimi and Papa we got a family get-a-way to The Great Wolf Lodge. We packed up and headed out Friday morning. Then spent the weekend playing in the indoor waterpark and hanging out with all of my family. Unfortunately, I left the batter for my camera in the charger in Columbia (while the camera made it all the way to Kansas City).  It was an amazing weekend, we had a ton of fun!!

Visiting Grandpa Bill

On Christmas Eve Day we went to visit Great-Grandpa Bill and his Doggies, Ruby and Oliver. Oliver was a little crazy when we first got there but calmed down and was a very sweet.

 

Ellie getting to know Oliver. He is a sweet doggie!

Meggie showing Grandpa Bill her toys.

Grandpa Bill loving on Oliver.

Chris and Grandpa Bill talking about the Financial Bailout.

Meggie liked the audio tapes Grandpa Bill listens to.

Meggie taking an audio tape to Grandpa Bill.

 

Meggie putting the tapes back in their crate.

Chris saying good-bye to Grandpa Bill.

Pap and His Trains

After a weekend (and one very long Monday) of various GI ailments The Sears Family made it to CoMo. It was a bit of a shock going from warm(er) Atlanta to Missouri, but nice to be with Mimi and Papa.

Tuesday night Ellie helped Papa get out his antique Lionel train that has a track around the Christmas tree.

Here is Ellie watching Papa set up the transformer (I think that is what that part in his hand is called).

Chris showing Meggie how to use the train whistle. Notice the 15 stockings hung on the chimney with care.

Papa and Ellie putting the train cars on the track.

Here comes the train!!

Papa with the girls looking on.

Meggie got much more interested in the train when she realized it had a whistle and went around the track. Blowing the whistle was her favorite part!

Meggie and Papa watching the train.

Me and Meggie playing with a box...fun times!

Smile!

Me and Ellie hamming it up. She is so excited for Christmas!

Meggie loves to pretend that any remote control is a phone. She puts it up to her ear and start babbling. So cute!

Close Up (care of Daddy).

And, the evening ended with the obligatory throwing of the children. Mimi and Papa have a huge down pillow that Papa throws the kids on. They love it!

 

Meggie Turns 1!

Our Megalicious turned one the day before Thanksgiving. She spent the day with Mimi and Papa, then we celebrated at home.

Ellie was excited about Meggie's birthday.

She was stealing a little icing from the cake.

Meggie didn't realize the candle was for blowing out.

And, she grabbed it with her hand!

She liked the icing after she tried it!

She also liked the rocking horse we got her!