Christmas Memories

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. The older the girls get the more they enjoy it. The whole month of December we focused on the importance of the birth of Jesus Christ instead of all the presents. We even had a birthday party for Jesus too. The girls thought that was so much fun! Especially Riley considering it was a Wheat Free cake mix.

Our other Christmas activities consisted of baking cookies, decorating a gingerbread house, going to a live Naivety Scene, and Campbell singing in the Children's choir at the Christmas Eve Service at church.

Just think, next year we will have another little one crawling around the Christmas Tree.

I just love this time of year.

(Click on "our pictures" and view all of our Christmas photos)

Bunk Beds Update

Both Riley and Campbell made a smooth transition to the bunk beds. Riley stays in her bed the entire night and seems to like her big girl bed a lot.

It amazes me everytime I think about how flexible Riley can be. When I introduced the sippy cup to her at 10 months old, she immediately took to it and didn't want her bottle anymore. The same for the bunk beds. She doesn't have any desire to sleep in her crib. Basically, when she puts her mind to something she goes for it.

I just hope potty training is just as easy.....

Bunk Beds

• They're finished....Princess wall art and all!! The girls bunk beds turned out great! Brent and his dad have out done themselves once again. Next, Brent is going to build a matching step stool for Riley so she can climb on the bottom bunk.

• Campbell will obviously be sleeping on the top bunk. Although, she has already fallen off the ladder and hit her head on the ceiling while trying to stand up. Hopefully, now that is out of the way it will be a smooth transition for both.

• Considering Brent just finished putting the second coat of paint on today, we thought it would be best to let the paint fumes air out tonight. Therefore, they will officially sleep in the same room tomorrow night.

• Wish us luck!

Gingerbread House

• Earlier today the girls and I assembled the gingerbread house so it would be a quicker process for daddy when he decorated it after dinner. As you can tell from the pictures, the girls were having a great time. Although, Riley kept eating the candy off the house as soon as it was put in place.

• Needless to say, I had to distract her and we went upstairs to take an early bath. After her bath, she got a snack and watched some Christmas shows that I had recorded on the DVR from the night before.

Sweet memories......

Salem Christmas Parade

We had a great time at the local Christmas Parade with Grandma and Grandpa this year. This is a favorite of ours because some friends of the family have a party every year just for this event. So, if it gets too cold, we simply go inside and watch the parade from the windows. It's a great set up especially for young children. Not to mention potty breaks!

Angel Bell

• Today our Advent activity consisted of making an Angel Bell. We read Luke 1:26-56 about how an Angel appeared to Mary and told her that she would be the mother of Jesus. We also talked about how angels are special messengers sent by God to help us.
• Once our bells were completed, the girls were instructed to ring the bell and tell the world that Jesus is coming!
• I just love this time of year!
  

Toddler Bed and 7th Wedding Anniversary

The girls did so good on our road trip to Alabama. God has truly blessed us with wonderful travelers. I just hope kid #3 enjoys being in the Van as much as the girls.

Once we arrived at my parents house, we had to figure out the sleeping arrangements. Considering Riley is such a light sleeper, she really needed to be in a room by herself. That will definitely change as she gets older, but for now we have to work around her little quirks. We have put the girls in a room together before, but Campbell can be an earlier riser at times. Once Campbell is up, guess who else is ready to get up too? Sometimes before I am ready for her to start her day.

So, we decided to put her in a room with the toddler bed. To my surprise, she didn't mind at all. Didn't even try to get out of bed....not once! In the morning when she awoke, she would stay in her bed and yell for me. I could hardly believe that was my daughter! I am so thankful to have such good sleepers!

Yesterday was mine and Brent's 7th Wedding Anniversary. Wow...seven years!!! What better way to celebrate than to get each other a Wii! I can't wait to get it hooked up and beat the pants off of Brent!