And so we visited Santa...

 

 

...and this is how it went in a nutshell.  Alice was eager to tell Santa her list, but spent most of her 15 seconds of "Santa time" consoling her hysterical sister.

 

 

 

This is a copy of our "official Santa picture".  Not a good one, but memorable just the same.  I guess I should be glad Eleanor is afraid of a peculiar stranger who wants her to sit on his lap! 

Alice's Christmas Program

Alice had her Pre K Christmas program where she had the honor of playing Mary,  and let me tell you, she rocked it!  She had been practicing the Christmas songs at home for weeks, and this little diva had it all down.  Here are a few shots of my little up-and-coming star before the big show.

 

Always happy to strike a pose for the camera

 

 

 

A little sisterly love and pre-show support

 

 

At the church before the big performance

 

 

 

A beautiful starlet.  We are so proud of our girl and the wonderful young lady she is becoming! 

 

 

 

El wanted to be in the "red carpet" photos too. 

 

 

 

This is the best picture I could get of little Mother Mary.  She played the role beautifully with the exception of one nose-wipe.  She certainly handed the Baby Jesus off to Joseph with authority!

 

 

 

All of the video clips are adorable, but the second one, in which she practically throws Baby Jesus at "Joseph", is the funniest.  A star is born!

 

 

 

 

Enjoying a little cookie decorating (and eating) after the show at the craft service table ;-) 

 

 

 

Alice with her school friend (and doppelganger!), Sophie. 

 

We are really in the Christmas spirit now! 

 

 

And we took a little trip to Mexico...

So after a year full of many changes and "new" things, (new city, new house, new toddler. new position at work), Jeff and I decided we were due for a little vacation sans children.  We took a 6 day trip down to Riviera Maya, Mexico, always one of our favorite vacation destinations.  It was really nice to escape the chilly Colorado temperatures and enjoy the warm weather, amazing scenery, and peace and quiet ;-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I do believe I will have a mimosa with my breakfast!

 

 

Up close and personal.  I took this one for Alice, who loves a good "peahog".

 

 

One of the great things about the Iberostar resort is all of the bus stops where you can sit and wait for a trolley to take you anywhere around the resort.  Being lazy is really under-rated!

 

 

There were Mexican Coatis everywhere scavenging around the resort.  If you left food or drink (or personal belongings!) anywhere, they would be there to check it out and/or pilfer it!  Here is a pack of them running through the bushes.

 

 

 

Enjoying a little poolside fun

 

 

There were always people on-hand to entertain.  This guy's eyebrows are real!

 

 

 

The Lobby Bar became our favorite evening hang out.  Lots of music, entertainment, and interesting people.

The pools at the resorts we have been to are always our favorite daytime place, and this trip was no different.  A really beautiful pool.

 

Neither of us are crazy about beaches; always seems like they are so sandy ;-) and windy, but we spent a little time there.

 

 

 

Our specialty restaurant dinner...not bad, but we both preferred the buffet.  It turns out Mexican food in Mexico is not always in our taste! 

 

 

 

The resort was huge, and really beautiful 

 

 

 

 A resort "selfie"

 

 

 

Jeff tried his hand at air guns 

 

 

It was a fantastic trip, and naturally it just flew by!  I definitely could have stayed longer.  It was nice to know our girls were at home waiting for us.  Back to reality we go...!

 

Halloween Fun 2014

 

Here are some pictures from Halloween 2014.  This year Alice wanted to be "Crumbs Sugar Cookie" from Lalaloopsy, and Eleanor went as our little honey bee.  I am pretty sure I have never seen two costumes that were any cuter than these two little doll faces.

 

Early in the week, we hit the Trunk or Treat event at the local elementary school.  The weather was beautiful.  I was so excited that the girls didn't have to wear coats over there costumes!  These Colorado autumns can be unpredictable.

 

 

 

 

I love how they love each other! 

 

 

 

 

Here is a quick pic from the main event.  Our new neighborhood really goes all out, and Jeff dressed as a farmer to take the girls to make the rounds.  The evening was quite a success!  I think we have enough candy to make it until Easter...!

 

 

Eleanor Turns 2!

 

 

 

It is so hard to believe, but our little munchkin is 2!  With all of our family and most of our friends in Texas, we decided to have 3 small celebrations instead of one big one.

 

 

Here is El the morning of her big day.  She already has so much personality, and is letting us know who she is more and more every day.  Although she has a bit of a "wild spirit", she is our little nurturer, and really enjoys playing with her baby dolls and mothering them.  She is also a big fan of books; she enjoys looking at pictures herself and loves to be read to.  She is interested in anything her big sister seems to be doing, and she loves to listen to music and have dance parties with Alice.  She has shown a special affection for animals, and particularly likes to look at fish.

 

 

 

We had a birthday dinner for Eleanor a week before her birthday while her Nana was in town visiting.  I have never seen a child as excited as Eleanor was when the Applebee's wait staff came to sing to her and bring her dessert.  She left the restaurant cuddling her new toy bunny from Nana and saying "happy, happy!"

 

 

On the day of her birthday, we had the Bucher family, (our new neighbors), come over for a little birthday party.  We all had a great time, and El enjoyed all of the attention and having children over to play with.

 

 

 

 

Eleanor and Emma (these 2 have become fast friends ;-)

 

Jack and Alice playing a game in the basement



 

 

Eleanor's favorite part of the birthday cupcakes is icing, just like her Mama!

 

 

 

 

 

Alice was pretty excited about her cupcake too ;-)

 

 

 

Birthday loot

 

 

 

 

 

Daddy and his big girl

 

A picture of all of us...hey, every photo opportunity for all of us to be in the picture counts!

 

 

 

We had yet another birthday celebration the weekend after Eleanor's birthday while her Mimi was in town.  Here is a picture of the 3 pretty blondes! 

 

 

Eleanor's Big Day