Christmas in Vienna!

Yesterday we celebrated Christmas here in Vienna. Santa made a special trip to visit us early and brought Anna a tricycle, Abby a ball popper, and Abby and Anna a Snow White Cottage tent to share. We had a fun morning opening presents, a fun afternoon playing with presents, and a yummy Christmas dinner.

oooh, a new drill for Dad!

ahh, a new Sesame Street book (with felt pieces to move around!) for Anna!

oooo...new earrings for Mommy!

what did I get mom?

"I don't know what this is called, Mommy."

"Don't worry, Abby, no one does."

"Well, it sure looks fun!"

Sesame Street Live!

Matt and Anna went to Sesame Street Live this morning! They both had a great time :) Matt found a way to buy special tickets so they got to sit in the third row on the isle. Matt knew the third row would be fantastic, but he had no idea sitting in the isle of the third row meant that Anna would get visits from the characters. She got a visit from Prairie Dawn and Abby and a hug from Cookie!

Enjoying some treats before the show:

Here they come:

Anna, starstruck:

Christmas preparations

We've been busy getting ready for Christmas! Anna has had fun:

making cookies:

decorating cookies:

and making a gingerbread house:

And Abby has been busy working on sitting up so she has two hands free to unwrap her presents!

I'm ready!

We've also had a lot of fun opening our two advent calendars (wooden with treats! and a cool digital village), listening to A Night Before Christmas read to us by Nana on a digital book, watching some cool internet entertainment created by Uncle Pete, waiting to see where the Elf visiting our house will move each night, playing "hide the sheep ornament" on our Christmas tree, driving around town to look at lights, setting up Anna's new Nativity set, going to Anna's Christmas concert at school, going to the local high school Christmas concert, making Christmas jello, and of course, eating Christmas cookies! Wow, I didn't realized how busy we have been until I recorded it. Well, it's been a great Christmas season so far and it's only Dec. 14th. We're looking forward to a lot more fun here in Vienna and a fun trip to Albany next week.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great trip to Albany for Thanksgiving! It was such a blessing to spend so much time with family and see good friends too. Here are some highlights from the trip:

Now there are 4 cousins! Baby Kieran is so cute!!

That's funny, Great Grandma!

Aunt Diane is snuggly!

Do I look extra small in Uncle Dan's arms?

Painting time with Nana!

Is the chicken done yet, Liam?

Playing one of many new (old) games Uncle Pete found in the basement

Anyone who spent the week with us knows what Anna is waving her finger about...

no pictures, please!

Long time buds and their babies :)

hanging with Mommy's long time friend, Bridget :)