"I Wanna Go Owside!"

We got a massive dumping of snow this week!
Mom got us all bundled up and we went outside on Wednesday but I was MISERABLE. 
I didn't want to go in, but I did NOT want to be put down either.  I made Mom carry me through snowbank after snowbank while Dad and Cole built an awesome snow fort.  Mom finally just set me down on the front step where I happily enjoyed watching and commenting on everything they did.

The next morning Dad went out to shovel so I ran and got ready to help him.  I was absolutely devastated when Mom told me I couldn't go out.  C'mon Mom!

"This is the Best Day of My Life So Far"

Merry Christmas!  As soon as I woke up, I ran to get B and we quickly peeked out over the balcony to check under the tree.
The whole room was FULL of gifts!
We hurried downstairs and of course, B went looking for his milk.  I checked to make sure Santa drank his.
Yup!  As usual, our treats were a big hit.

I explained to B what had happened.  He was a little confused, but excited none-the-less.

We quickly settled in and started opening!  As is my nature, I made sure everyone had something before opening my own gifts.  I also took time out to help B open and understand each of his.  What can I say?  It's never to early to start earning points for next year!

As requested, I got LEGOs, LEGOs, LEGOs!  6 big sets and 4 books!
I was so happy.  Mom asked later in the day if I was having a good Christmas and I told her "Mom, I think this is the best day of my life so far."  Mom said it was the best day of her life too :)

Back to the gifts... Pops got a new neon clock for the bar.

And we ALL got socks and underwear!  Oops!

I got a few cool Star Wars costumes and this lame-oh Coach Costume which Mom begged and pleaded with me to put on.  I was a good sport, but still told her it was lame and it made me look like a girl. 

And B got a drum set!
We spent the whole next two days in the living room, in our pajamas building LEGOs and playing with our new toys. 
Oh, AND we got a blizzard so we COULDN'T go anywhere!
None of us could imagine a better way to spend our Winter break.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Christmas Eve

The biggest night of a kid's life finally arrived! 
We could hardly contain our excitement! 
After a bath, we even let Mom dress us in matching pajamas.
Thanks Aunty Heather and Uncle Gavin for these cool and cozy duds!

Then it was outside to sprinkle reindeer food (sparkles and oatmeal) on the lawn so the reindeer knew where we were.

Mom thought Dad captured her very best features in this shot.  Maybe this year's very late holiday card?!

Then Mom and Dad let us open one gift.  We both got Angry Birds costumes!
What better way to blow off a little steam before bed than crashing into each other and falling down?

Thank you Daddy for the GREAT idea.

Last job of the night.  Filling our special Christmas Cookie plate (thank you Grandma Pam) with cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.

Daddy and B put more cookies in THEIR mouths than on the plate. 
Thankfully, I was on hand to ensure the big guy got some along with his mug-o-milk.

Then Daddy heard the sound of reindeer hooves!  We hurried up to bed, said some quick prayers and fell fast asleep in no time.
On a sad note, I was a little upset when Mom told me Tyler would be going home with Santa tonight.  I sure will miss the guy.

Terrific Two!

Happy Birthday to the greatest little brother a kid could ask for.
Most of the time, he is a true stinker who is up to no good.
We LOVE this look because it means trouble which usually means laughter too.
Thanks for making me look so good little bro!

Okay, he can also melt even the coldest of hearts with just a smile. 
Everynight we have a great cuddle before we say our prayers, I love yous and goodnights.
I can't wait until he can sleep with me!

So of course, I was super excited to celebrate him today!
I was really upset that Mom and Dad didn't have another big party for B.
I did help Mom make another awesome cake for him and I worked really hard on a special card.
We all sang and I may have gotten into a little bit of trouble for jumping the gun and blowing out the candles before B had a chance, but I think he still knows I love him to bits and pieces and am so happy to have him for my little bro.

Happy Second Birthday Bryce!
I love you, Kid!

Party End of the World Style!

After Cole's Christmas party at school, we all piled in the truck and drove up to Grandma's house.
We heard she was throwing a GIANT end of the world party!
After a rowdy night with our cousins, we woke up and Daddy was just sitting there giggling.  Mom asked him what he was laughing about and he said he was just thinking about all the silly people holed up in their bunkers.  We prefer to go out celebrating so we went to St. Pauls for the annual Haas Family Christmas party.
Cole and I welcomed the guests with a rousing round of Chopsticks.

Okay maybe it was more like 40 rounds of Chopsticks.

As with most things, I take my piano banging very seriously.

"What's that?  We have a request for Piano Man?"
Oh... Grandma requested peace and quiet. Shoot.

These three were inseparable all weekend!

Our pretty Godmother was there with plenty of hugs and smooches for us.

I had plenty of hugs for Izzy Wiz too.

I was unusually friendly and unattached to Mom.  I even threw on a Santa Hat!

"Ho Ho Ho. Merry Christmas Choo Choo Tree!"

Bugga and I are best buds.  Who Wore it Better fashion critics?!

Aunty Heather has the patience of a saint.  She volunteered to take family pictures for EVERYONE. 
Grandma and Bugga were bound and determined to take one with all of their grandkids.

Yes it did take three people to keep me in the shot.  So?

I almost got away...

What a great bunch of ruffians, eh?

I had such a good time playing with Cole, Oli and Izzy.  They didn't exclude me at all.

Now that I'm pretty much the youngest kid, I get the majority of the smooches.  I don't mind a bit!

Don't tell Mom, but Grandma was my total favorite this weekend.  Not a minute went by that I wasn't yelling "Gay-Ma.  Where Har Yoooooo?!"

I helped Mom take plenty of pictures before we left.  For some reason they all look similar... 

After a quick clean up job by the Mommies, we all went back to Grandma and Bugga's for the after party.  I quickly put on my pjs and scored a snuggle with Shayla.
Look at Sue's little baby!  She got a new puppy named Pixie which I thought was the coolest thing EVER! 
I'm pretty sure Pixie is terrified of me.  I guess I would be too.

The three muskateers.  At one point, Oli and Cole tied themselves together.  Yeesh guys!

Cole got a new book about Boogers while Daddy blew GIGANTIC boogers which were really remnants from his surgery.  Disgusting!

More attempts to photograph the grandkids before we all got shipped off to bed so the adults could tell dirty jokes, drink wine and play silly card games.



Then more cuddles in the morning!  I told you I had a total monopoly on the cuddles!

Grandma and Aunty Heather whipped up an awesome breakfast for us before the morning festivities.

Thank you Grandma for working so hard to put on a fabulous weekend for us!

I REALLY love my Grandma.

Then Uncle Scott and crew came back for MORE presents!
Pixie came too :)

Oli got LEGOs

Thank you Bugga!

Coley got LEGOs too!

Bugga got LOTs of little Vandy hugs and snuggles.

And, as always, we both got plenty of wrestling in with Uncle Scott.

Look away for one second and what happens?! 
COLEY!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!  We hope you are enjoying time with your family as much as we are with ours!