Flannel Monster and Christmas-Part 2

Bella and Lucy got so many cute toys for Christmas and Bella has insisted we get every one of them out of the box and played with! However, I made this flannel board for her for Christmas, and although I hoped she would like it, I think she likes it a little too much! They do flannel stories at her daycare, which is where I got the idea. I have to tell a story or song and she helps putting pieces on the board that go with the story. So it isn't really something she can do by herself and she always wants to play with it!

Our Christmas-Part 2 was with Carlo's family. His mom came up from Florida this year to spend the holidays with us and Carlo's brother and sister. We all went out to eat on Saturday and then went back to our place to open presents. We got to see baby 'Izzy-bell' as Bella would say.

Bella just loved the holidays this year. She gets so excited for the get-togethers, seeing all the relatives, and the presents too! I'm just exhausted from it all! Happy New Year to all!

I just got asked to do flannel stories...again...

Lucy is sick...again... (just another cold)

a merry Christmas

We spent Christmas at my parents' house this year. My 2 sisters and brother along with their families were there as well. Despite 19 of us in one house for 4 days, there were no major mishaps or dramas and we all had fun! Except for the Christmas tree falling over Christmas Eve night. Mind you that this was a huge tree - I would guess about 15 feet tall! Luckily it was after we all opened presents and were out of the room.

It was a perfect setting for Christmas. A log cabin with snow falling. Sledding, ice skating, and fires in the fireplace. We all got to try out the new Wii video game that Bryce and Logan got. Somehow I was the only one who managed to injure myself. Don't ask.

The Williamson Cousins- Bryce (10), Paige (12), Bryn (15), Abby (17), Logan (8), Bella(2), Lucy (0.5), Cooper (1.5), Mia (2), Clark (7)

Bella thanking Abby for a present.

Lucy got Grandma & Grandpa a picture of herself :)

Bryce, Bella, and Logan

Bella and Mia shopping at Clark and Logan's 'store'.

Merry Christmas!

my job

I know many of you don't have the foggiest idea what I do at my job. Below is a link to an article & video of a project I helped design:

http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=79704

work, sleep, and play

Well, after an unproductive weekend (full of holiday happenings), Bella & I went off on a muffin baking spree today. 80 pumpkin mini-muffins and a dozen raspberry. There will be 20 of us in one house over the weekend so we'll need all the comfort food we can get! I plan on making some more goodies later in the week too.

Bella slept in until 7:15 this morning. For once she didn't come to our bedroom to wake us up and had to come downstairs to find us! What a treat! Lucy went to bed a bit earlier last night, 8:30, but I still can't figure out how my mom got her asleep for the night at 7:30 on Saturday. Must be a grandma thing.

Bella cracks me up with her pretend play now. It is kind of a new thing for her to imagine, so I guess that's why I think its so funny. She'll load up her grocery cart, put her wallet in her purse, carry her little basket of food and say she's off to the zoo or the store. This picture above is a common sight too. She'll line up all her babies on the stairs and sometimes spread all of Lucy's toys around there too. I'm not sure what's in her head with that one but it keeps her busy!

snow!

OK, old news but we have a TON of snow now! Grandma Shirley, if you are reading this, this is what you are getting yourself into by visiting us!

Besides playing in the snow, we wrapped some Christmas presents. Bella was in charge of sticking the name labels and bows on. She had so much fun that she had a tantrum when we were finished. Who knew sticking bows and stickers on presents could be so much fun?

Lucy continues to teethe. The 2nd tooth on the bottom will be popping through any day now. Makes for a slightly more cranky Lucy, but it could be worse. As long as she keeps sleeping at night (knock on wood)...

Ho Ho Ho!

We had brunch with Santa yesterday. I talked this up to Bella a few days before - telling her how she'd give Santa a hug and sit on his lap. She was very excited to go, but once we got there she wouldn't go near him. The pic below was taken after lots of coaxing and Santa bribing her with a candy cane. Santa didn't phase Lucy one bit though!

Quarantine

The whole family is sick. Lucy and Bella are on week 2 of the cold, and Carlo & I are on week 1. Lucy was the most miserable since it really hit her hard at first. Now they just have a lingering cough and slight runny nose. I heard this thing typically lasts 3 weeks. Great. Lucy's first tooth popped through in the middle of all this just to add to the fun. See below. Bright red cheeks and drool = new tooth. Snotty nose = miserable cold.

On a happier note St. Nick came to our house and daycare on Thursday. Bella was very excited to see what was left in her shoe. Yes, we put our shoes out for St. Nick. When I was little we'd get our shoes filled up with candy and get a present but I have yet to find anyone else who put their shoes out instead of stockings. I don't really know where that shoe tradition stems from. I'm guessing from my mom who has a Scandinavian decent.

Bella and I made a chain to hang up counting the days until Christmas. Every morning she pulls off a link. And on special days (Grandmas visiting, Santa visit, etc) we put a special sticker on so Bella can look forward to them.