A Very Merry Christmas at Home

Christmas Eve:
Some last minute shopping with Nana

Millie's Christmas pajamas were super cute this year...the top is so big that it just might fit next year too! :)

I know...strange pic in front of the tree, but she was in a silly mood and didn't want to be held correctly for a pic with mom and dad.

Nana was here for Christmas this year!  She got Millie this table and chairs, which has been a big hit.  I knew it would be because this girl loves to sit in chairs.  I think she counts it as one of her skills. 

Christmas Eve night after Millie was fast asleep, we all had to chip in and put together some toys.  I like to force people to wear these reindeer antlers for pics...so much more festive.

Bud and his soon-to-be roomie in front of the new blocks

Christmas morning:
Straight out of bed and playing with her new Little People princess castle

The mini trampoline from B & L was also a big hit!

A family tradition: chocolate syrup and biscuits with loads of butter

 Millie's first time...and she loved it (but made a mess of her shirt)!

Baby Stella!  You can't actually see her in this pic, but she has a bink.  So Stella is staying hidden for the time being until we get through weaning Mills from her own bink.  Wah wahhhh

 doodle pad stylus doubles as a kitty poker

 new Dog book!

 I'm so sad to take Millie's kitty cat away...she adores him.

She also ADORES Barney.  I'm not even sure how this happened.  Barney's show comes on the same channel as Sesame Street, so she happened to see it one day and really loved it.  Now it is the only thing she'll watch.  Hoping this is a short phase.

 Millie gives such good (and thoroughly wet) kisses these days...

Millie, sit down.  Millie, sit down on your bottom.  (I say this 80,000 times a day)

Sensory Overload...she's had so much fun with all of her new stuff.  Thanks again to all of you that were so generous and thoughtful.  We've had a very Merry Christmas, indeed!

Sanders Christmas

Loved seeing everyone yesterday!  Wish we could do it more often...

papa

 kelly, mimi, nana

 oliver & momma lacy

 miles & layla (look at her legs...ha!)

 lauren & uncle bill

 oliver & aunt dina

 four generations

 vic, lacy, oliver, kk

 abs & miles

blaker

 mimi

 sisters

 our little family

 reindeer millie

sorry, i'm not always good at making sure i get a pic of every single person when snapping party pics...i missed a few people :(  hope everyone has a merry christmas! 

Happy Holidays to All of Our Favorite People

We went with a professional card this year, and even though I love how it turned out, I feel that it is missing a bit of the personal charm of last year's card.  It was much easier though, so I'm not saying I won't do it again. ;)

Millie made this shirt in MDO...isn't it sweet?!

Isn't this face even sweeter?!?!  We've finally gotten some cold weather here, so it is finally starting to feel like Christmas!

Color-Matching Pro

Millie is a color-matching pro!  She has a ton of these styrofoam fish that stick to the bathtub walls, and she always makes sure to pick up a stack of the same color.

Pardon the nakedness...and dirty nose...

At Little Gym, she will only pick up two balls in the same color.  And the same thing with the bells on our Christmas tree.  She's very particular about it.  I hope this isn't a sign of OCD. ;)

Talley & Alice Came to See Us!!

My good friend, Talley, and her almost 3 year old daughter, Alice, came to visit last week.  They drove over from OKC for a short 24 hour visit, and we had a great time!  Millie, of course, was mesmerized by Alice.  She wanted to watch her and be as close as possible...and she even showed off a little with some dance moves while they watched Yo Gabba Gabba.

I went ahead and took Mills to Mother's Day Out on Thursday, even though I hated to have her miss the day with Alice.  But with Christmas break coming up, I don't want her to miss too many more school days because then she cries the next time I take her back.  So I got to hang with Talley and Alice by myself and then we all went to pick up Mills at 2 and headed to the playground.

 Millie wasn't cooperating with the group pic :(

 I'm pretty sure that someone is picking their nose here...

Wish we lived closer so that we could hang out more!

Silly Millie

Millie's silly side has really been coming out lately.  I think the next 6 months are going to be pretty hilarious as she figures out her words and starts showing more of her personality.  She's been jabbering a ton lately, and when the pacifier isn't in, she'll even say a few words...like cat or duck.  I think the talking will increase when the "bink" goes away at the end of December.  I can't explain how much I'm dreading that nightmare.  However, JKK and I will be so relieved when that thing is gone and we aren't scrambling around for one when she's screaming or whining.

video: Spit Bubbles

She eats a lot of broccoli these days...

This girl loves technology...iPhone in hand, while playing on the iPad.  Such a multi-tasker.  If she could only figure out how to use some self-control and quit hitting the home button every 30 seconds, she could actually play a game.

 JKK's old phones have been lifesavers :)

whoa, nice drool.  molars have been coming in and bothering her a little...

she can build a tower with her blocks now!  and then immediately loves to knock it down...

gross.  the bathroom mat.  she is always grumpypotomas in the mornings because she's still tired, so she lays down pretty much anywhere to squirm around and take a break.  why won't she sleep longer than 6am?!  we've been hearing her talk on the monitor the past few mornings, which cracks us up.  technically, JKK cracks up and I just groan because it's so early, but I'm smiling on the inside.  I do love to hear her talk!

Jasper, our elf on the shelf, got a little naughty with his cookie humor.

The shrine in the front entryway has grown again...I love it!  Wish you could get some perspective on how massive this wall is; we have plenty of room for it to grow with the addition of baby girl #2.