Christmas 2013

 I feel like after Grace turned a year, I have had more energy as a mother and have started doing their hair more and dressing them in similar outfits.  This was one of my first similar dressing debuts.  It was honestly a proud mothering moment for me.

 Jason played his saxophone for the church Christmas party.  Too bad Grace and Lily were sick and were not able to make it.  Our neighbor was able to go and support, though!

 Even though I mostly built this, Lily was the brain child behind the idea:  Clifford.  She loves that cartoon.

 Since we left on Christmas day to fly to Washington to visit Jason's family, Santa came a day early.  Apparently he even stops by at 5:30 pm while 2 year olds are watching The Grinch and could care less when they hear Santa's bells...or a Minnie Mouse tambourine some friends gave Grace...even though Mom has prepped her for when he's coming.  "Lily, listen for the bells.  Lily, did you hear the bells.  Lily, I think I hear bells."  I finally had to turn the show off and lead her into the family room.

 Cute Grace holding I think some books she can chew on.  I should have gotten those earlier for her.  Our children's library is slowly but surely being eaten away.

 Lily smiling with her puzzle.

 Grace hugging her dog.  She calls them "dawda" not to be confused with "dada."

 A princess tent complete with a little tunnel and two adorable princesses.

 Embarking on our 4 hour plane ride which was followed by a 3 hour layover and another 4 hour plane ride that landed us in WA right around 3 am our time.  I fed them a lot of suckers hoping to get through the plane rides which ended up costing us in some pretty awful diaper messes.  I learned my lesson coming home.

 One of Grace's hang outs on the plane.  Check out that smile.  She was making friends left and right on those rides.  She is definitely a charmer!

 We made it!!!  Lily spending time with her darling cousin Vivi who is practically the same age and her older cousin Brandon.  

 Lily writing all over the giraffe.  She was kind of a zombie the first day there but recovered the rest of the trip.  She and Grace were both champs!

 Exploring and petting the neighbor's horses in the backyard with cousin Vivi and Aunt Alisha.

 Check out Jason's shirt, courtesy of his brother Travis.

 Tyler is every mother's dream.  He is so, so darling with children.  Too bad Grace will not let anyone hold her except Mom and Dad and she always wants to  be held.  Tyler sure worked hard to get her to see the light but to no avail.

 One of my all time favorite photos Jason captured of Grace in action with Elmo.

 Coming from the east coast, we were pretty off schedule with the rest of the family, going to bed early and waking up early.  Lily took advantage of some one on one grandma time.

 Snuggling.

 We visited Multnomah Falls just in time.  Apparently a big rock hit the bridge up top recently and it is closed indefinitely.

 That's right, the bridge right behind that cute Lily.  Another favorite picture of mine.

 The night before Vivi had to leave:(  They were watching a show in Grandma's room, holding their balloons.

 We think Vivi left these glasses behind.  Grace took advantage.

 Lily just hangin' out.

 Lily's stellar camera skills.

 Lily and her sweet cousin we call Kitty.

 Flying home.  A much better experience.  A 4.5 hour flight followed by a 3 hour layover followed by a 1.5 hour flight and maybe 2 suckers.  Maybe not any.  Lily was very occupied by all the activities Grandma sent with her, including princess band aids.  She wanted them all on her fingers.

 Unpacking!

 Sitting atop our gift from Uncle Justin.  Yummy Omaha food...steaks, chicken, hashbrowns, cheesecake, etc.

One of my favorite pictures of the cousins after watching Frozen.  It was Lily's first movie.  I knew it wouldn't be a problem.  That girl gets glued to anything moving on the screen.