Christmas Day at Ryan's Parents

We went over to Grandma and Grandpa Paulsens at about 12:30 to open more presents. Anna fell asleep in the car. Bridget got a cool video camera. Abby got a cupcake maker and a big dog and a big activity book. Anna got a ride on train and a big dog. Now that we have a bigger apartment I am more excited about the big toys. Tiffany and Karl came over with their children. Everyone had a great time and ate some yummy food.

Christmas Morning

Santa did find the stockings in the kitchen and so did Bridget.



Anna's favorite thing was the candy.


Our children are pretty nice. they did not wake us up until 8:00 am. We had to wake Anna up. She was not so happy about it but the older kids were so excited. We had a great morning.

We finished the Book of Mormon

At the beginning of the year Bridget's primary teachers gave her a bookmark to check off all the chapters in the Book of Mormon and challenged her to read it by the end of this year. We read the last chapter on Christmas Eve.

Abby the Pajama Model

Abby was so excited about her pajamas that she posed in them while mommy read scriptures before bed.

Christmas Pajamas

All of the girls had pajamas on their Christmas lists. So we decided to let them open them on Christmas Eve. I wrapped them and them put them on their beds and then asked them to get ready for bed. Abby wanted to wait for the next day to open it but when she realized what it was she was happy. They were all so happy to have some new cozy jamies.

Steed Party on Christmas Eve

The view from one side of the room

The view from the other side of the room

My Sister in Law Rosemary and her newest grandson Collin.
Rose and Dennis hosted the party.
Rose spent most of time in this chair because she slipped on ice and sprained her ankle.
I hope you feel better Rose.

This is my brother Paul and his family.

Grandparents are Great

Bridget and Abby blowing up Balloons

Anna Trying to blow up a balloon with Grandma Paulsen

Grandma and Grandpa Steed enjoying some cake

Grandpa Paulsen and Ryan trying to visit

Tonight we invited our parents over for dinner. The food was very good, with the exception of the flat rolls. I cannot find my favorite roll recipes. Some how they got lost in the move. I tried a roll recipe I found online, and lets just say it left me flat. Ryan loves to get a Prime rib roast when they are on sale around the holidays. We were going to cook it for ourselves but we decided it would be better to share.

We had a fantastic time. My parents brought each of the girls a small gift. Bridget got little capsules that turn into different shaped sponges in water. Abby got a package of balloons. The girls did not want us to just visit, they wanted to play games. We ended up all playing a game they called "Balloon Bop". We all tried to keep all the balloons from touching the ground. It was so much fun. We were all exhausted at the end of the evening(at least the adults). We are so lucky to have our families live so close.

The Stocking were Hung by the Sink with Care

When we got out the stockings we had just moved in and I did not know where to hang them. Bridget found a good place for them. I sure hope Santa looks in the kitchen.

My Best Gift

Last Friday I got an early Christmas present. Finally we have enough room for a dishwasher. After 10 years I can finally stop doing dishes by hand. I am so excited!!!

Look mom, my finger fits perfectly in this hole

Bridget loves this picture. She thought I should post it.
Why is it that babies are still cute even when they do gross things?

Here Comes Santa Clause

Every year Santa comes to visit us at the Community Center.
This Picture was taken last year.

This picture was taken this year.
Anna was not any happier this year to sit with Santa.

Christmas Recital

Bridget and Abby's dances were very fantastic.

Rockin' in the Rocking Chair

This was one of me favorite games when I was a kid.

At the Doctors Office

Bridget and Abby had a check-up yesterday.
Stats
Bridget
51 1/2 in. 75th percentile
54.8 lbs 35th percentile

Abby
47 1/4 in. 95th percentile
51.5 lbs. 95th percentile

both girls are nice and healthy.

Family Night

Ryan, Abby, Bridget and I went to see "A Christmas Carol" at Hale Center Theater

Abby was so excited. This was her very first play. She kept telling me that she wished the play would never end.

Bridget has already been to several plays, but she really enjoyed this one.

Abby and Bridget pose with Ebeneezer Scrooge.

Ever since Abby turned five she has wanted to go to a play. we decided to take her to see "A Christmas Carol. We dropped Anna off at Grandmas and headed off. we got a little lost on the way, but we made it barely. The kids had so much fun. I sat in between them and spent the whole time trying to answer their questions about what was going on. After the play we went out to the parking lotto get in to our car. The car parked next to ours had a fire in the trunk. we jumped in and drove away as soon as we could before we got pinned in by the firetruck. We decided to make a night of it and go out to dinner. We let the kids pick,so we went to Wendy's.

Snow Day

It snowed yesterday. The Girls wanted to go out and play in it sooooo bad. It was already dark when we went outside but that did not seem to matter.

I Hate Moving

I have not posted anything for about two weeks. The first week I was busy packing my whole life into boxes. it took us another week to get the computer set up. In our old apartment we had a built in desk, shelves and drawers. This apartment has less storage so we have been trying to find dressers and bookcases and a computer desk. It is a work in progress we still have not unpacked all the boxes. We have just piled them all in Anna's room. We did get our tree put up.
We got really spoiled during the move. We often got fast food for dinner when I did not have time to cook. Abby just told me that she wanted to order hamburgers for dinner. It sure was fun while it lasted but now we have to go back to eating my cooking. I love having more space. It is so nice that everyone has a room. Anna used to sleep in the living room(not so convenient). Ilove that I have a normal size oven, instead of the tiny one in the old apartment. I really, really, really miss the 400 court. Every time I go outside I think "this is not right". We lived in the 400 court for 10 years, I am having a hard time adjusting. The main problem with having more space is that there is more to clean. I hate cleaning. I guess it doesn't matter where we live as long as I have my sweet family with me.

Bridget's Concert

Bridget's class had a winter concert. They did not sing holiday songs, but they sang about weather. We are so P. C. these days. Can you tell which mom forgot to dress their child in white shirt.