Merry Christmas

Hank came back to visit last night.
He was very tired from his long trip and looked for a place to rest.
Hank found the manger empty (since we are waiting for Jesus to arrive) and he said "That will do."
When Ayda woke up, we asked "Where is Jesus?". Ayda pointed to the manger
and as we got closer she saw what was different and giggled!

Reading "The Night Before Christmas" before we go see Santa.

Riding the Merry Go Round Reindeer while waiting to see Santa!

Ayda and Santa 2012

Right after seeing Santa

Coloring 

Mommy and Ayda

We met up with the Anderson Family at Santa's Lodge.
After MG's first Santa visit, we all rode the Merry Go Round. 

Then we ate lunch and threw pennies into the wishing waterfall.

 Then played in a canoe.

Ayda found a drain pipe at The Outlet Shops of Grand River.
She spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to fit
and even tried to get us to help her.

After we got home, we had a marvelous dinner of Sloppy Joes. 

Then went outside to turn on the Christmas lights!

Then, we made a pallet on the living room floor. Ayda got to wear her Christmas PJs. 

We watched a movie and slept on the floor. (for a while anyways.)

 After 45 minutes of Ayda rolling around in the dark and getting very frustrated not finding a comfortable spot. We put her in her bed where she slept till the morning.

Ayda in Daddy's toboggan.

Talking to Gram while driving!

We wrote letters to Santa, all three of us!

Thinking about it

Finally decided on her three items she wants for Christmas.

Decorating her envelope.

Walking to the mailbox.

She was so excited she did it all by herself!

Trying to get it back.

Lighting the first Advent candle, Hope.
Ayda wanted to blow the candle out and she did.

It was warm today (75) and perfect for sidewalk chalk drawing!

Ayda is very happy eating her snack while Mommy is outside.

Ayda realized that  Mommy wasn't coming in.

We saw the tree lighting in downtown Tuscaloosa.

 Then we watched the Christmas Parade.

We cooked chocolate chip cookies today.
Ayda helped by holding the hand mixer. She loved how it was shaking her arm.
Then she helped spoon the dough out onto the baking sheet.
Ayda loved the cookies raw and cooked.

We made a Gingerbread House with Amy and Molly Grace.

Before we start picture!

It's finally together! 

It's decorated!

The two girls show off their Gingerbread House. 

Ayda loves to climb on the couch.
She uses the table to help make it easier.

 Today we watched a movie "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas".
Ayda decided to get cozy in Daddy's sweatshirt.

Today, we enjoyed a nice Christmas brunch with the Southwest District. 

Ayda received her first packet of reindeer food to use on Christmas Eve! We can't wait to feed the reindeer and bake cookies for Santa. Only 16 more days to Christmas Day! 

Just eating a bowl of green bell pepper before we put them on our pizza.

Drinking milk from the bowl. Today was also her first time trying coffee.
Not by our choice, but by her climbing and reaching for Josh's unfinished coffee.

Ayda loves reading in her rocking chair
 while I get morning chores accomplished!

Right before church we made a chocolate pie 

for the Church Christmas Party today. 

Dancing to Christmas music

We painted with Daddy's shaving cream while he was at work.
Shhhh... it's our little secret!

Who doesn't love painted baby toes?

 We made Christmas Sugar Cookies!

Putting sprinkles on the cookies.

After a falling incident, Ayda's Great Grandmother had to have hip joint surgery today. 

We traveled to be with family and to help out where we could.

Ayda was dancing in the car!
(Until she noticed the phone and wanted it instead.)

We really want to go swimming!

• Ayda gave big hugs to Gram when she came home from the hospital. Ayda hasn't stopped giving good, big, and strong squeeze hugs.

Playing with Aunt Shelby

Watching Daddy play a game.

Playing in the car before we ate at Oskar's!

After reaching a temperature of 103,
 she settled down with a blanket and ate some grapes.
(This girl never likes a blanket on top of her.)

Right before we decided to go to the doctor.
She only wanted to open presents!

After seeing the doctor, getting her first steroid shot, getting her first antibiotic, and a long nap, Ayda enjoyed opening her Christmas presents. She loved all of them!

Finally a smile!

She didn't even feel like taking the bows off.

Emma helping Ayda figure out the puzzle! 

Sitting in her chair and playing with all her new toys.

• We gave Ayda a bath before bed to try to make her feel better. Ayda gave mommy at kiss with sound. This marks the end of sloppy kisses!

Making the long trip back home with a sick Ayda.

One of the few smiles I got to see today

Ayda got a letter for Santa Claus

Her sticker says "I'm on Santa's Good List"

The Letter: "Merry Christmas greetings to you from my house in snowy North Pole! This is an extra special Christmas wish just for you from all of your friends here at the North Pole!...I'm sure you are bringing much joy and laughter into the lives of your family as they watch you grow! The elves are bustling about in my workshop helping me get ready for Christmas Eve. ...Rudolph and the reindeer are excited to lead my sleigh to your house on Christmas Eve! It's a happy day for me here at the North Pole as I think about you and the happiness you bring to others. You are already near the top of my Good List! I am very proud of you. Mrs. Santa asked me to tell your family to give you a big hug from all of us here at Santaland. Merry Christmas! With Hugs and Kisses, Santa Claus"

We caught Ayda reading to her penguin!

Oh no, they caught me!

I'll pose anyways!

I am going to read to my friend again, shhhh!

Love Penguin!

Smile!

We caught her reading again!

 We made Jello Playdough! It smelt so good and it was easy to make! It was all 100% edible and that means Mommy didn't freak out when Ayda tried a bite or two (even though it had a very salty taste she didn't care for).

Ayda had to warm up to this new texture. 

She would stick her finger in and then shake it off. 

Ayda finally squeezed the dough without freaking out.

Ayda helping me fold the towels (or clearing off the table for her sit on).

• Ayda and Mommy pack the car again and went to Gram's house for a surprise visit until Christmas Eve. 
• Ayda started nodding yes to our questions.

Ayda is trying to enjoy the low temperatures.

Ayda calling for the dogs!

Chief came,

And didn't leave!

 Ayda and Daddy

 Ayda is helping Mommy spread icing on the cinnamon rolls.

 Then off the Great Grandparent's house for Christmas!

Ayda with Sara Kate!

Opening Gifts

Helping Grandmother open her gifts. 

Reading to Sara Kate her new book!

Playing with her tea set.

We then traveled back home to have Communion at church, cook chocolate chip cookies for Santa, read "The Night Before Christmas" and the Christmas Story (like Hank did yesterday), threw the reindeer food into the front lawn, and then we were nestled all snug in our beds.

Merry Christmas

Ayda got four special gifts this year: a kitchen, a basketball goal, a doctor bag, and her molars.

Ayda was so excited that she started playing with her tea set from yesterday.

Very Excited!

Crayons!

Dr. Ayda 

Cooking turkey in the oven!

Relaxing after all the fun.

Checking her baby's heartbeat.

We went to Waffle House with Gram and Papaw.
Ayda got a candy cane from their tree!

Cooking raisins on her new stove.

The first week of celebrating Christmas: 

Popsicles are great for numbing! One molar in and one more on the way 

Daddy-Daughter huddle.
I'm not sure if they are trying to fix the table or just hanging out! 

After making a mess in her kitchen,
 she decided to start making a mess in our kitchen. 

But she helped put the spoons and forks back after being washing.
Ayda took the spoons out of the dish washer,
then opened the right drawer, threw them in,
and then closed the drawer to go back for more.