The Day After Christmas...

Yesterday we traveled to Indiana to celebrate Christmas with daddy's side of the family, and to see our friends John and Kathy. The girls had blast playing with all their cousins...especially their big cousin Justin (thanks for being such a good sport)! They also loved holding the new baby cousins Lucia and Tommy...so sweet! Maren and Alex (they're just three days apart) were having super time running around and laughing together. At Kathy's the girls couldn't wait to play with Lyla (and John)! What fun day after Christmas!

All the little cousins...

Logan and Tommy...

Carsyn and Macy...

Just the girls hanging out...

Maren and Alex...

The girls and Lyla...

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas...

The girls couldn't wait to run downstairs to see what Santa had left them this morning. They loved each one of their gifts, and have already played with half of them. Right now their playing their new Toy Story 3 Wii game--I guess they were tired of 24 hours of A Christmas Story. ; ) What a fabulous Christmas. We want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas too!

Merry Christmas...

Christmas Eve...

Well, Christmas is finally here. The girls have been counting down on their Advent calendar, making their lists, and tracking Santa on Norad. We went to Christmas Eve mass this evening. It was packed. Mass started at 5:30, but carolling started at 4:45. We got to church at about 4:50, and luckily got seats. At around 5:20 I told Carsyn that mass would start in ten minutes. To which she replied, "WHAT!?!? You mean all this has been nothing?" What a funny girl! But, they had fun getting to see lots of their school friends afterward. When we got home we enjoyed a nice Christmas Eve dinner and then opened presents from each other. The girls were so excited to see what their sisters had gotten them. Now they're in bed, dreaming of Christmas morning. Hopefully Santa delivers for them.

After mass...

Logan unwrapping her present from Carsyn...

Carsyn couldn't wait to tear them open...

Maren loved her gift from Logan...

Christmas Baking...

The girls have really been in the Christmas mood this year. They've been wanting to watch every Christmas movie on TV, and tonight they baked gingerbread cookies with daddy and had a blast decorating them. Look at these little bakers...

MNF...

We (well--mostly me, and Barry a little) are all super-excited to see the Bears beat the Vikings tonight, and clench the NFC North division! Go Bears!

Our Monsters...

Dayton Flyers...

Since about 14,000 people attend Dayton Flyers home basketball games every weekend--and the fact that they won the NIT last year--we figured it was about time to see what all the hype was about. Actually, Barry just got a couple of free tickets from work, and we had no other plans. It was fun, but it would have been more exciting if they were playing Butler or a team that we cared about. Maybe we'll take the girls sometime.

Go Flyers...

Last School Day of 2010...

After missing two days this week due to the snow, everyone was excited to go to school this morning...of course it always helps when it's an out-of-uniform day! At lunch time Maren and I headed over to school to deliver gifts. Maren had fun playing Santa. What a great last day of school for the year!

Logan and Carsyn before school this morning...

3rd grade festivities...

Fun times in first grade...

Maren at Ballet...

The girls had their second snow day from school today (the first was Monday). Usually this would be fantastic news for the girls, but Logan was super-disappointed because her Christmas program was postponed. However--unlike Monday--today was not nearly as bitter cold, so the girls did get to go out and play in the snow. But, I was busy shoveling the driveway (for the sixth time) so I didn't take any pictures. By late afternoon the snow stopped falling and the roads cleared up, so Maren still had her dance class.

Maren...

Maren's Christmas Program...

Night #2 of school Christmas programs is complete. Maren had a blast preforming. Her class had been practicing for the hand bell number for weeks. Maren did great. She definitely felt comfortable on stage. Logan and Carsyn enjoyed watching Maren, but when other classes were on stage they complained of boredom...of course. One more to go...hope the snow holds off!

Maren getting ready at home...

Practicing her poses...

There it is...

Maren and her teacher...

After the show...

Carsyn's Christmas Program...

It's the week for Christmas programs at school. Tonight we kicked off our super-busy week with Carsyn's. Unfortunately Logan has dance for two hours on Tuesday nights, and couldn't come. But, she did get to see it during school today. Carsyn had fun singing her little heart out, and Maren had fun watching. Tomorrow we have a program at Maren's school, and then Logan's on Thursday.

Logan ready for dance...

Carsyn and Maren at school...

Adam and Carsyn--so sweet...

Marie and Carsyn...

First Grade...

Work Christmas Party...

Tonight mommy and daddy went out for daddy's work holiday party. The event had a luau theme...which explains the shell lei and Hawaiian shirt. The girls stayed home and watched Christmas movies with Nana. Unfortunately we didn't win any of the big prizes, but it was nice to get out and meet some of daddy's colleagues.

Mele Kalikimaka...

Mooseltoe the Moosical...

We had a pretty busy day today. It started with mass this morning, then lunch. Next we had to get ready for Carsyn Christmas dance performance and a musical downtown. Logan's friend Meghan came with us (we had an extra ticket since daddy was drilling in Columbus, and not able to attend). Carsyn did super with her "Let It Snow" dance...even though we forgot her ballet shoes. After that we went immediately downtown for Mooseltoe the Moosical. It was a cute holiday shoe, and the girls had so much fun.

Little snowflake...

Ready to go...

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

Outside the theater...

Logan and Meghan...

First Snow...

We had the first major snow fall of the season--only a couple of inches--the girls were dying to go out in it. But, first I had to take the Christmas card photos. It was also daddy's drill weekend, and he had to drive to Columbus. Luckily he made it with no trouble. Today is Nana's birthday too...Happy Birthday, Nana!

Our girls...

Logan...

Carsyn...

Maren...

With Pumpkin...

Jump Rope for Heart...

Logan's class (along with their 6th grade Prayer Partners) participated in Jump Rope for Heart. Not only did they get their hearts pumping by jumping rope for an hour and a half, but they also raised money for the American Heart Association. Maren and I came to help out with some rope twirling!

Maren, Logan, and Riane...

Girl Scouts Carolling...

After school today Logan's Girl Scout trip went carolling at a retirement community. Carsyn tagged along with us. The girls all did super singing all the Christmas songs. They also made cards that they then gave out to their audience. It's definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Carolling...

Carsyn and Makenzie...

Alaina and Logan...