We Didn't Start the (Bon)Fire!

One of the really fun things we did while we at my parents' house for Christmas was a "bonfire night".  We built a big fire, tried to make S'mores, and my dad hooked up one of my old sleds to the back of his new-used snowmobile.  The girls had a great time going on laps around the pond!!  Alison, especially, couldn't stop giggling when it was her town.

Hanging out by the fire sporting my favorite color - hunter orange!

The girls had a little hill that they could slide down to the frozen pond

The two "Charlie/Charley's"

Grace and I trying to warm up - our jingle bells were frozen!

Aunt Vicki with her two favorite ladies - they had a blast over the weekend!

Alison riding the sled.....she started leaning into the turns on her own.  It was pretty cute!

Grace cheering Papa and Alison on!

Grinny McGrinnerson after one of her turns!

Alison warming up!

Ready for take-off!

The set up!

Grace gets a "turn" at towing her sister around

Papa and his passengers after it was all said and done

Grace and Nananuk of the North

"The gas is on the right, right?"

Awwwwwwwww

Thought this picture was funny because it looks like I'm shoving Alison into the fire......but I wasn't.

Nana and her little buddy

Uh oh, look out!!

Big smiles!



Christmas 2010!!

A BUNCH of pictures from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at home and then drove to Michigan during Christmas Day.  The girls were super-excited to head north since we hadn't been up since late July.  They loved all their presents (It's always funny to see which presents they end up being the most excited about.), and loved spending time with family.  Not sure how we're fitting all this in the house yet.  It may be time to clean out old toys!!  Anyway, hope you all had a Merry Christmas!!

The girls opened up their new pink Snuggies on Christmas Eve from "mom and dad" - they were super excited!

Just like Baby Jesus, they were swaddled in bright pink cloth!

Ashley also got a new robe that she had wanted - my gift is that I get to turn the furnace down now $$$$$



The girls received new desks from Aunt Vicki and Uncle Ted.  (I personally was impressed on how well they were assembled!)



Grace is already planning to do her homework at her new desk!

Alison hugged her desk later in the night and told it, "I love you desk.  Thank you for being here."  I don't think she's ever told ME that, but she said it to a desk.  Not that I'm bitter.  : )

The "before"

Alison got a new bike from Santa!  Hope she doesn't get her snuggie tangled in the spokes!

Grace got a new bike as well....she was excited to have one with a kickstand!

Alison starts opening presents from Santa

Grace wonders what's in here

Big Sis helping out

Toy Story 3 - we saw this in the theater in 3D and Alison took her glasses off so it would be less scary that way.

She FINALLY has Pixos - I think she may have been the last one in her class to get them.  That's the story she was selling, anyway.

Alison didn't take her new backpack off for the rest of the day

The "after"

Or maybe they aren't quite done yet

Alison sports a new head band that was in her stocking

Grace decked out in an American Girl outfit

Alison got a big box of birthday from Aunt Vicki and Uncle Ted

Moving on to the next present

Play Doh ice cream shop!

And the burger builder set!

Alison opening some new "Snoophy" movies from Papa and Nana

A new hooded bath/pool towel for the Ali-gator!

Time to hand out the Christmas presents!

Excited to hand out the presents!! She was the tag reader.

Papa's New Snowmobile

My dad bought a used snowmobile this week, and the weather cooperated a little bit by giving us a couple inches of snow - just enought to make it worth our while.  The girls went on quick rides with him this morning, and they had a lot of fun.  When Grace was on it with him, they saw 3 deer come out of the fence row about 20 yards in front of them.  She thought that was pretty cool!  We'll post some Christmas pictures later - stay tuned!

Alison bundled up and waiting for her turn!!

An action shot of Alison and Papa rocketing through the back yard at 8 mph!

Alison is all SMILES getting ready to get on the gas!!

Grace gets a quick orientation lesson before they get started!

Charlie Moneymaker sits in at the World Series of Apple to Apples  - he wore his shades so no one could read his eyes!