New Year's Eve 2010

This has been quite a year! Our first year with our beautiful daughter, Lexie. She has brought us more joy than we could possibly imagine. The years of waiting for this precious child seemed like they would go on forever and this year with her just flew by in lightning speed. We are grateful for each day we've had with her and the many memories that we have created for our family. We anxiously await to see what 2011 has in store for us. We know that as long as Lexie is with us, it's going to be an amazing year.

It's been a busy few days as we got ready for 2011 and since I go back to work on Monday, everything needed to be done right now. We spent most of New Year's Eve cleaning the house and taking down our Christmas tree (Lexie didn't notice at first, but then she got a sad look in her eyes and just said, "Oohh.") and decorations. We were able to squeeze in some fun things. Lexie tried on her Christmas presents and we did have to return some clothes because our skinny bones was drowning in them.

I really want to keep this dress, but mommy says it's too big. Maybe it will fit me if I try it on tomorrow.
Lexie got to open more Christmas presents.
She got a Barbie trike from Ava and Brett. Although her legs are a little short, she loves riding on it and scoots all over the house.
Lexie got a little help from Rylan to make mochi.
I think my cousins were trying to teach me how to make mochi.
When I get bigger, I can make a perfect mochi like Mikki.
I was showing Kelli how I can count to 10.
I'm so happy because I met my Grandpa for the first time. I love him so much because he always sends me all kinds of neat stuff.
Mommy's aunty took us to see a house that had lots of Christmas lights. There were trains and little villages.
I got to see a dancing Santa Claus.
I saw Elmo, Big Bird and merry-go-rounds and people dancing.
My cousin Emily was a lot of fun to play with.
My favorite part was meeting Boku. He was the funniest dog. He didn't bark and liked to get his back scratched. And then I got to see him run on a treadmill.
For New Year's Eve dinner, daddy made me ramen. I love noodles! It tasted yummy!
Now I'm going to sleep because daddy says I have a long day tomorrow. Happy New Year!

Christmas Night

Our Christmas celebration continued that night as we braved through rainy weather for dinner at Aunty Jodi's. Lexie's nose was still runny and she had a slight fever, but was in pretty good spirits especially when grandma gave her some M&M's. She discovered that M&M's aren't always so tiny.
Thank you Aunty Terry for Lexie's yearly Christmas shirt. She is so skinny that she still fits her shirt from last year. I don't know why Lexie's one is so faded because I only washed it once.
Lexie liked playing with Cameron's magnet beads.
And so did Daddy.
One of these girls is not like the rest. We still love you Jade, even though you didn't get the memo to wear your shirt.
A hug for Ry Ry.
It was a wonderful 2nd Christmas and we're already looking forward to Christmas number 3.

Christmas Morning

This Christmas was definitely one to remember. Last year was special because Lexie was home and it was her first Christmas, but she was a mere observer in all of the festivities. This year, she was an active participant in everything. She rode 3 trains and a trolley. She met Santa several times. She got to play in snow, sort of. And her most favorite part was all of the lights. The excitement in her voice and how amazed she was everytime she saw holiday lights just brought tears to our eyes.
Once presents started appearing under the tree, Lexie was very curious about them. She never tried to open them, but liked pulling off the ribbons or carrying the boxes around the house.
She tried really hard to tear off the wrapping paper and said "help" or "open" when she couldn't do it herself.
Lexie was still fighting a bad cold and she had a fever and runny nose on Christmas Day, but she was a trooper and wanted to see what the fuss was about. Maxx also wanted to see what was in all of those boxes. She loved the hedgehog from Brad and Cam and I loved the book because we can never have enough books and Jan Brett is one of my favorite authors.
Lexie loved her Elmo shirt from Taryn and Davis. She recognized that red face as soon as the tissue paper came off.
Lexie got a little tired from opening gifts, so she gave Maxx his gift. She's been waiting to do that for a long time. Everyday she would take the presents out of the stockings.
Can't forget Gohan. He was trying to ignore Lexie.
Finally, got back to opening a few more presents.
Lexie wanted to play with the boxes and she had her eye on Gohan's new bone.
What? There are more presents. I really like ripping up this tissue paper.
Gohan was happy with his duck.
Lexie was getting tired and so was mommy who was recovering from a stomach bug. Lexie didn't want to open any more presents once she saw Maxx's ball. She loved it because it talked.
Gohan still can't understand why Lexie wants to play with his toys when she has lots of her own toys.
I think out of everyone, Maxx was the most excited about opening presents. He was front and center everytime a gift was being opened.
Finally, we got to the last gift from Santa. And yes, she runs around the house with just one boot on and it's on the wrong foot.
Lexie got her kitchen set. And we hope to take it out of the box very soon...hopefully within the next month.
Thank you to our generous family and friends for making Lexie's Christmas such a memorable occasion.
It was a beautiful Christmas morning for our family.
Maxx and I hope everyone's Christmas was as great as ours. Where's Gogo?
Okay, let's take a nice picture now. I do have another doggie. He just doesn't like to take pictures with me.
I love my farm. I play with it a lot because it's the only toy that my mommy took out of the box. Hey, mom and dad, can we start taking other toys out of the boxes before next Christmas??

Merry Christmas

Hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas Day!
All of the ornaments have been hung.
The lights are merry and bright.
Presents have been delivered.
Children have been hugged.
Laughter shared.
Dressed up in our finest clothes.
Doggies too!
Spread peace, joy and love wherever you go.
Keep the spirit of Christmas in your heart throughout the year.
From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!