Christmas

Christmas was so fun this year. Bella said either "Whoa" or "Wow" with every present she opened. She even had fun helping Gabby open hers...even though Gabby was more into the paper than the present. We first celebrated with my family on the 21st. Bella went around after dinner and decided which cookie to give each person she had made. She put so much thought into it...it was really cute. Anyway, I got a new camera which I LOVE...so since last Sunday I've taken over 400 pictures...I know I'm nuts, but the pictures are so clear you can actually see the tiny hairs on Bella's cheek when you zoom in. Anyway, Christmas Day was just the 4 of us in our pjs...until about 6pm when we bundled up and saw zoo lights...so even though I had narrow them down...here are a few favorites (okay maybe more than a few)...

Gabby and Bella got matching Aprons and Chef Hats.

Bella got a Buckeye Mr. Potato Head from Uncle Chad and Aunt Steph, but I think Joel has pretty much claimed it.

Gabby eating the paper...she had glitter all over her from this paper.

Bella watching the boys play a game of Golden Tee. Joel loving his new #2 OSU jersey.

Christmas Eve service...Gabby loved Great Grandma's sweater.

A few pictures when we got home...testing out the new camera.

Bella leaving cookies and her NuNu (pacifiers) for Santa. Today when I dropped her at school the director asked her if Santa left her presents and she replied "Santa took my NuNu". She's done really well without them...so that was a great idea!

Santa brought Bella a princess tricycle. She's still figuring out how to pedal.

Gabby got a jungle animal toy.

Bella helping Gabby open presents.

Gabby with her loot...so much to put in her mouth...hard to choose.

Christmas PJs. By the way our house looks like a toy store. We have stuff everywhere.
So happy.

Bella dressed up. Nana got her this dress which went perfectly with her 6 pairs of princess shoes from Gabby.

Christmas night we went to zoo lights. On the way...Gabby was a chatterbox and Bella and her went back and forth. Joel and I looked at each other and decided it was downhill from here. Besides DaDa...we also have heard RyRy (uncle Ryan has obviously been working on that one), LaLa and BaBa. She also loves to squeal in the highest and loudest voice possible. Poor Gabby was so bundled up since it had rained all day it was pretty cold out, she could barely see.
Last one...Gabby loves to hold on and stand up...she also enjoys eating the lining on the couch too.

Gabby's First Word

Gabby gave Joel the best Christmas present yesterday and said Da-Da while we were sitting on the floor playing. She just kept "talking" and all of a sudden I looked at Joel and he said you better get the camera since Da-Da was her first word. She is also getting up on all fours and rocking so I know crawling will be just around the corner. Lately I've been sad since time seems to be flying by...and thinking in the next few months she'll be crawling and walking. She's getting so big so fast. Well I got a new camera for Christmas that I LOVE, so I need to hook it up to download them...but yes I've taken almost 250 of the girls since I got it last Sunday from Dad and Mom. I can't wait for Cabo in a few months to use it. Anyway we hope everyone had a great christmas...and I'll get the pictures up soon. Love to ALL!

Cookies

I couldn't get this on the following blog, so here is Bella today having a blast making cookies.

Bathtime, Santa and a few others

I had a fun filled few days with the girls. To start off the other night during bath time they were having a blast splashing in the water. They both got to laughing so hard at each other...

Yesterday Papa and Nana helped me take the girls to the Mall to visit Santa. I didn't know how it would go since Bella wouldn't go near the Easter Bunny this year and Gabby has separation anxiety sometimes. Bella was pretty good in line waiting her turn to see Santa, and when it was she walked right up and sat on his knee. They weren't quite done with the pictures for the people in front of us so Bella was just chatting away with Santa and then got down and was ready to go. Luckily she hopped back up and introduced Santa to "my Gabby" so we could get a picture. Gabby loved playing with his beard.

Then it was onto look at Christmas lights. We stopped by this amazing house. They had all these different collections in each window. There was a disney/cartoon window, teddy bear window, etc. Bella loved watching the train go around.

And it just so happened that Santa was there too. I got this picture when she was telling Santa she wanted candy for Christmas.
I LOVE this picture.

A few more...

Bella loves her crown, wand, tutu and shoes she got for Christmas from Granna and Pappa. Joel was reading to her and she had to tap every page with the wand.

Gabby discovered the drum. Plus she looks so cute in her overalls

Gabby is super focused on learning to crawl. She goes backwards pretty good. But when she's sitting up she tries different ways to get on her tummy. She'll move one leg, stop and think, and then move it back and try the other leg. When she's on her belly she tries all sorts of things trying to figure out how to get to her toys (until Bella walks by and moves it to her). Bella seemed to crawl late and then started walking pretty much right afterwards, but I think Gabby is going to be everywhere once she figures this out. Bella loved to cruise the couch but Gabby isn't too interested in "walking" when you hold on to her she's more of a bouncer.

Bella teaching Gabby how to use a sippy cup. Gabby just likes to chew on it hasn't figured out how to get the water out yet.

I can't believe Christmas is next week!!

Trip to the Midwest - Pictures Galore

So with taking over 350 pictures this past weekend here are just a few. We had a great time seeing both sides of the family and I don't think we could have packed any more into 5 days than we did.

We got up at 4 and left Arizona at 6am. Here is the sunrise over the Rockies. There was snow on the mountains and was just beautiful.

Bella enjoyed playing with the phone that was on the plane.
Bella hanging with Daddy.

Gabby snuggled in for the flight from Denver to Indy. She slept almost the entire time in that sling.

At Auntie and Uncle Shawn's- Bella loved "playing" Guitar Hero.

Bella helped Auntie make a cake.

Friday we had family pictures...Bella was so cute in her hat.

In Ohio Bella was playing with the snow flurries. There was no accumulation so we had to settle for flurries.

Checking out the snow on the car.

Giving Pappa a hug

Playing the piano with cousin Dean

Checking herself out in the mirror to see her hat. She was so cute on her tippy toes.Sharing the Rain stick from Africa.

Gabby in her bunny hat.

Uncle Shawn, Auntie and Gabby hanging out.

Dean and Bella with GreatGrandpa Callison and Maryann

Goofing off with Auntie.

Making a gingerbread house with Pappa. Have to say it didn't stand up very long but Bella had a great time making it and eating the frosting. She also insisted on the Santa hat and kept adjusting it every time it would fall down

Painting ornaments with Granna

Yes Joel and I were there too.
Opening presents...Bella loved her princess wand

Gabby loved all the toys she could put in her mouth.

Sunday after church we were back to Indy to visit with the Newells. It was great having all the cousins there...Bella had so much fun playing with Hailey and David...and checking out Phoebe.

All the GreatGrandkids

We went to dinner and then headed over to East Side to see thier Christmas extravaganza. They had the entire church filled with activities. Bella and Auntie watching the goat and sheep.

Bella with Uncle Shawn the Sheppard.

We got home Monday afternoon exhausted. It was great seeing everyone but all the stuff you have to bring with little ones is crazy. We did learn NEVER give sugar free candy to anyone especially kids - not sure why they even make it. Apparently it is basically a laxitive and Bella spent the flight from Chicago to Phoenix throwing up from her gummy bears. It was awful. Plus there were really bad head winds so it took 4 hours to get home from there. To top it off the airline broke the handle to our stroller and claims no liability. I guess we'll buy cheap ones for the next time. Anyway good to be home. I still can't believe Christmas is next week!