Christmas 2011

We were so happy to be able to spend Christmas in Negaunee this year. It has been a few years since we have, so we figured we were due.

Our vacation started out with a bang... We left late on Thursday evening and arrived in Negaunee at about 9:30pm local time. The girls feel asleep in the car so after a few minutes waking up they were ready to go. Both girls had a snack and then we headed them off to bed. Payton was so excited she ended up with a stomach ache. Lets just say it is a good thing that Brian's parents have a steam cleaner! My mom said that my sister Valerie would always make herself sick with excitement at Christmas. Payton was fine and ended up sleeping great.

My sister Nicole and her family were up as well. We spent Christmas Eve with my family. My mom always has a get together on Christmas Eve and this was no exception. We got to visit with some of my parents friends that we had not seen in a while. That is always nice! We were back to the Stewards for the night, and Santa came there. Payton had wrote a letter to Santa before we left home and put it under our Christmas tree just in case he went to the wrong house:)

He made it to Negaunee and the girls had a wonderful Christmas morning. Brian and I were actually the first ones up. We were able to make coffee, get the girls a snack and drink ready, and even have time to spare before Payton and Addie got up! That was nice. They didn't need to wait to dive it:) Payton's favorite gift is probably the bed my Dad made her for her American Girl doll. It is wood and the perfect size. She also got a remote control car (it lights up!) from Jim and Betty, the puppy Sugar for her American Girl. Ruthie got a bunch of clothes too. Addison also loves her remote control car, her Barbie Squinkie house, and she got several "housekeeping" sets. She LOVES to play house. She was sweeping and mopping at Grandmas all weekend long! When we got home I realized just how many gifts they received! Totally spoiled, and we were able to find a spot for each one:)

The U.P. has snow on the ground so the girls were able to go sledding. Brian pulled Payton and our niece Elizabeth behind the 4-wheeler. Addie rode up front with Brian. We ended our trip watching the last Harry Potter on Blu-Ray (after the girls went to sleep that is). I LOVE that movie:)

The girls each got a Build a Bear gift certificate from my parents. Of course we have already been to the mall and spent them both! Hello Kitty and Cotton Candy are dressed to the nines! Lets hope that this tides them over for a while. They BEG to go into that store and get stuff for their animals... And lets just say that I am guessing that a lot of kids got the same gift. It was packed yesterday!

Addison's Christmas Program

Addie had her annual Christmas program last week. When Payton was her age, she was like a deer in the headlights. Addison is the opposite. She does all the motions and sings every word. Quite the difference between our 2 girls. Although Payton is getting a lot better with being in front of a crowd:) Here are some photos of the girls from last week. They are both anxiously awaiting Christmas this weekend. If they would only stop adding to their Christmas wish list! I told them over the weekend that Santa already has all the gifts ready. It is too late to change the list now:) Especially when they both all of a sudden asked for a Nintendo DS. Didn't even know they knew what one was! And as we have learned (with the arguing over the Wii, ipod touch and our tablet) we have to get 2 of everything...

Our Holiday Season... so far!

Wow, how did it become the middle of December so quickly! Seems like we were just celebrating Payton's birthday! We have been too busy I think...

Thanksgiving came and went with travel, food, and family. I was scheduled to work on the Friday after Thanksgiving, so Brian left on Thursday with the girls to spend the holiday with his parents and sister (who was up in Negaunee for the weekend). So I had a quiet day to myself! Then it turns out that they didn't need me after all and I was cancelled on Friday... At first I was upset thinking that I could be in Negaunee, but after my sister Nicole mentioned black Friday shopping and getting ready for our Thanksgiving dinner (which the Korby's celebrated at our house on Saturday) I was good. We were out early Friday morning, but not crazy early. And we didn't hit many lines and got some amazing deals! My parents and sister Val came down on Friday and we started to get the pies ready. They were here overnight, and Brian came home with the girls Saturday morning. We had a fun, but crazy, day with all my family at our house. I continue to tease my sisters about me hosting. When my mom and Nicole mentioned celebrating on Saturday I immediately said "That sounds great! Where are we having it?" The response I got was "Well.... we were thinking that you do have the biggest house..." Okay, I can take a hint;) So here it was. Everyone pitched in and it went over great. It is really fun that we all can fit into one room to eat. One year I am really going to have to take photos of that! But heads up ladies... I am showing up at one of your houses next year! lol

December started with Brian and I taking the day off for some Christmas shopping. We try to do this every year, and this year we loved that we actually made it out in December! But, we did spend more money on ourselves then on gifts. Outlet shopping is the best!

I started up a book club since moving to Appleton. We meet once a month at someones house to eat, drink, and talk about the book we read for the month. I hosted this past week and we did a "Yankee Swap". I was thinking back to our time in Massachusetts. I really miss holidays spent with our great friends out there! We think about everyone often:)

Last week Brian was suffering for a pretty good chest cold. I basically told him to suck it up or go to the doctor. He resisted the doctor. Last Thursday evening he had a low grade temp. Friday morning I listened to his lungs and suggested he call the doctor when the office opened. I knew what the verdict would be... He has pneumonia. Poor guy has been just miserable for a week leading up to that. I am SO glad that he went in. His doctor told him that it was pretty good sized infection. Geez, maybe he needs to listen to his personal nurse more often:) Or so I tell him! He seems to be turning a corner now though. Thank goodness for that!

Our niece/god-daughter Zoey turned 2 yesterday. We went to Valerie's on Saturday for her party. She is SO darn cute. I love that age... We walked in the door and the first thing Zo said was "Payden!" She loves her big cousin:) Brian and I (well me mostly) had started our new tradition with Zoey on her first birthday. We get her the Holiday Barbie each year on her birthday. I must say that part of me is selfish and I love to buy them. They are SO pretty, and I love that they are different every year! We did exchange gifts with Valerie and her family because we won't see them on Christmas. She gave our girls their coveted "Happy Nappers". Oh boy. Addie was running around the house just squealing over her unicorn:)

I think our shopping is mostly complete. I have a ton of wrapping to do though. I need to get motivated. Happy Holidays to everyone!