Christmas 2013

Our Christmas this year was filled with much excitement, busyness, and memories.  Vera was pretty excited about Santa and Jesus' birthday. 

It all got started on Christmas Eve with Santa stopping by our house.  Vera, mom and dad were all taking naps and resting up when Santa slipped in and out. 

The calm before the storm.

The first gift Vera discovered was the tricycle.  She was excited to sit on it and ring the bell.  With dad's help, she was able to cruise around the room too.  She's still not able to pedal herself, but we'll keep working on that. 

This was a set of mixing bowls and measuring spoons so Vera can do some more cooking!

An Ariel necklace (that broke into a zillion pieces an hour later!)

A Minnie alarm clock.  It's all set and ready to wake Vera up when our vacation is over.

Some tools to help dad fix things.

Uno Moo! has been a big hit. 

And the Super Why! ABC game is a little too tough for Vera, but soon enough she'll be able to play.

This was a Little People house.  Vera's doing a good job of pretending and playing with the mom, dad and baby that came with it.

Vera really wanted a "Crash Register" for Christmas.  This was also hours of entertainment and fun.

On Christmas Day, we took off around noon for the Bertke Christmas.  We had a good time, and it was nice to see everyone.  Vera enjoyed lots of snacks and treats--and I think plenty of my cousins and aunts helped feed her junk food too.  She was tired when we left--sound asleep before we were through Ft. Loramie.

For dinner, we took off and headed to the Pearsons for Christmas.  Vera didn't get cheated there either.  There were plenty of surprises to go around.

An awesome wooden high chair for Vera's babies.

Fishing game from Uncle Brian

We gave Bailey a Sofia amulet.

A Sing-Along CD from Brian.

PICKLES!  From Uncle Brian.  Vera was a little confused about why she got pickles for Christmas, but we all thought it was a good laugh.

And a singing machine from Brian too!

 

And of course, it wouldn't be a Pearson family get-together without the photo disaster with grandma and grandpa.  These two photos explain perfectly how it goes every single time!

 

When we came home on Christmas Day, I was really tired.  But the next day, I really struggled because Christmas Day was over.  I was sad and bummed that it all came and went in just a few short hours.  It felt like there was a piece missing. 

We celebrated Christmas with my parents and siblings the weekend after Christmas, so I was able to grasp on to and look forward to that.

My mom says every year that she's going to "cut back" on the gift-giving.  Even if she does cut back, everyone still goes home with plenty of really nice loot! 

Vera and Blake are best friends and worst enemies.  Vera wants what Blake has, and Blake is good at sabotaging whatever Vera is playing with.  Grandma let Vera and Blake each open a gift before we got started with all of the presents.  Blake opened a couch-like bed and Vera opened a really awesome wooden crib bed for her babies. 

 Then this happened:

 

 Vera didn't win.  She just managed to sneak over to the couch when Blake wasn't looking.  They both wanted the couch AND the blanket that came with the crib.

From Uncle Steve & Aunt Lindsey: a really cool pretend cupcake decorating set.

A trunk filled with dress-up clothes and jewelry from grandma and grandpa.  This has been a huge hit, especially the wings!

From Aunt Karen: a MagnaDoodle.  Note the wings.

It's been a while since we took a "formal" sibs picture.  Aren't the girls so short?  I am glad to NOT be the shortest!  I hope my kids get to be as tall as Steve!