Christmas in Kansas City

Last weekend we went to Kansas City to celebrate Christmas and exchange gifts with Nana, Aunt Bridget and Aunt Megan. We had a good time visiting. Here are some photos from our visit.

The girls with Nana, Aunt Megan and Aunt Bridget. 

Gabby and Adriana decorating memory boards given to them by The Tadtmans. 

We had a good yet short visit to Kansas City! 

Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas! We love this time of year for so many reasons, but the most important being that the Jesus, the son of God, came to Earth to live among us! It was a memorable Christmas as it was Christina Mary's first Christmas. We had Nonna, G-Pa, Uncle Tommy, Aunt Danielle and Vinny come to Tulsa to celebrate. It was a full house and we had so much fun! 

Early Christmas Eve morning, Christina had an ear tubes procedure. She did so well and by the end of the day was feeling good. We went to Mass in the late afternoon and then had dinner at The Summit Club. Afterward, we came home and opened gifts from family. 

Before surgery. Sweet baby girl.

At The Summit Club.

All of us before dinner.

Nonna and G-Pa with their 4 grandchildren. What a special photo! 

Santa was there, too!

Vinny excited about his toy.  He is such a sweet boy!

I think she had fun. Who needs gifts when you have wrapping and bows to play with?!

Saying good-bye to Mr. Elf before he heads back to the North Pole for the year. 

Treats for Santa and his crew.

Checking out her new desk Santa left for her Christmas morning. 

Doc McStuffins check-up clinic. Adriana loves this show. 

Nonnie helping Christina feed her baby doll.

Oh my! What cuties! The grandbabies and furbabies. :)

Merry Christmas to you all!

Adriana's Christmas Program

Adriana's preschool had their annual Christmas Program. She was a gift - Myrrh. It was so sweet to see her walk in with her friends and then sing Christmas songs. She is growing up so quickly. It's hard to believe she will be in PreK next year and then off to school. I read recently how when you have young children "The days are long but the years are short." A perfect way to describe my thoughts when I get a chance to reflect on how quickly they are growing up. 

That smile melts my heart.

The first time we've ever had a child cry on Santa's lap. Christina did well last weekend but was not so sure of it this morning. She is battling a cold and going to the doctor to check for another ear infection. She is getting tubes next week which I think will make such a difference. 

More Christmas memories were made today. We are looking forward to Christmas spent with family.

First Grade Mass, Gingerbread Houses & Much More!

We've had more exciting things going on this last week. Last Thursday the first graders put on the all-school Mass. Gabby read part of the first reading and was fantastic. Spoke with clarity and confidence. We are so proud of her!

On Friday, Adriana's school had their annual gingerbread house decorating and I went to the school to help. 

On Saturday, we spent the afternoon at the country club at the Kids Christmas Party. We had lunch and then the girls participated in the activities and then Santa and Mrs. Claus made their arrival in a helicopter and the girls got to visit with them.

On Monday, Gabby and Adriana had their in-class Christmas Dance Recitals, which were adorable!

The first reading. Our poised Gabby.

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Adriana with her beautiful creation.

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Saturday at lunch. Christina is loving her first Christmas season!

Faces painted and balloons in hand. Gabby's is a snowflake and Adriana's is a candy cane. 

Waiting for Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Here they come... 

Safe landing.

Christina was mesmerized. No crying. Gabby is telling Santa all she wants for Christmas. So sweet.  

Christina holding Mrs. Claus' hand. Melt my heart.

Adriana telling Mrs. Claus what she wants for Christmas. 

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Christmas dance recitals. Gabby's class didn't have costumes provided but they were to dress like Angels. Gabby wore wings and a halo from home. It was a very sweet ballet performance of Angels We Have Heard on High.

Adorable! Adriana did a ballet number to Frosty the Snowman.

Jazz was to Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

After their performances their classes had a little party. These are the girls after Adriana's performance. Sweet Sisters!

Feast of St. Nicholas & Snow Day!

What a fun and unexpected weekend we had! Thursday (Dec. 5) it began to sleet in the late afternoon. We received a decent amount of sleet that evening and snow overnight with an accumulation of about 4 inches. We set out our shoes/boots Thursday night in anticipation of St. Nicholas' arrival on December 6. Even with all the wintry weather he STILL came! How exciting it was for the girls to wake-up on Friday to all these gifts and a SNOW DAY! 

The girls had been asking for nutcrackers and that is what St. Nick brought each one of them along with a picture book of the story.  He brought some candy and a few other surprises as well, but the nutcrackers were a hit!

Snow Day fun! They only lasted outside for about 10 minutes but really seemed to enjoy it.

Our friends came over later in the afternoon on Friday and we constructed gingerbread houses. They had so much fun and so did the moms! 

We did some baking over the weekend, too. We made gingerbread cut-outs. The girls always love making these cookies  along with decorating them.

Yummy!

Thanksgiving and the start of Christmas season

We're definitely into the Christmas spirit around here! We are decorated and enjoyed a very nice Thanksgiving with family! Here are some photos from our last week:

Decorating our family Christmas tree. It's always fun to look at and reminisce over our keepsake ornaments that tell the story of our family. 

Christinas' first Christmas. Decorating the tree like a big girl.

All done! Under the tree we keep all of our Christmas books and stuffed characters.

Christina with her favorite Grandmas. So sweet!

With Aunt Bridget. 

Thanksgiving Dinner table. Gabby made us homemade place cards. She did a great job!  

Christina Mary enjoying her first Thanksgiving feast. Yummy!

Hanging out with Nonna before she headed back East.  

Sisters being sisters --- playing together. Love them so so much!

Gabriella helping Christina hold a crayon and make her first scribbles. Such a good big sister.

Sweet face and sweet baby girl! This photo melts my heart every time I look at it!