Friday, December 25, 2009

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and Libby did pose
In front of the presents all covered in bows Just her and her doggie under the lights
Hopeful that Santa would make it tonight She put out the cookies and said "bye" to the elf
The one she named "Elliot" that sat on the Shelf.
Just when we thought it was all safe to leave
Santa's Little Helpers had something up their sleeve Santa did come, in spite of the rain!
The amount of the presents was simply insane!!
We heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight
"Those damn dogs ate my cookies, now we will fight!"

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Gingerbread house

We decided to spend this cold, lazy, Sunday afternoon making our first ever Banet Gingerbread house. Libby was so excited to get started! She rushed back to her room to get her Strawberry Shortcake apron for the project! It was actually a lot harder than I expected it to be. The tubes of icing that came with the kit were not easy to use, so we used some piping icing that I had from Thanksgiving.It was a team effort, but here is the finished product! Libby's favorite part was decorating the snowmen and making it "snow" with powdered sugar.
So proud of the house!
I think we have discovered a new family tradition! Too bad Libby can't eat the gingerbread cookies, but luckily she ate her weight in sprinkles, gumdrops and icing!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Santa Claus came to town....

Libby was beside herself with excitement when I told her that we were going to go to the hospital to eat breakfast with Santa! Libby & Sophia enjoyed breakfast with the big man in red.
When it came Sophia's turn to meet Santa, she did great...told him what she wanted and smiled! Isaac did the same!
Libby's turn did not go over so well. She started crying when I put her down on Santa's lap. As long as I held her, she did fine, telling him that she wanted twin baby dolls that she is going to name "Max and Ruby". After we saw Santa, we headed up to my units so Libby could help me hand out Christmas gifts to my weekend staff.

Christmas Cookie Day

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is baking cookies with my mother. I can remember being Libby's age and standing with her (like Libby is pictured above) and helping her roll out dough (eating more raw dough than cooked), cut shapes and bake cookies. As Philip and I got older, we were deemed the "decorators of the sugar cookies". We typically make about 10 different sugar cookie designs...trees, wreaths, candy canes, etc. Here, Libby helped me put the sprinkles on the Christmas trees (you may note another tradition here...this is the 3rd year in a row that I wore this shirt for cookie day!)
Here, Libby, Nonna & I proudly sport our hard work...over 15 different kinds of cookies...all part of the tradition that I know as Christmas Cookie Day!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

A Star is Born

Tonight was Libby's first dance recital. Gary and I were so nervous since we had no idea how she'd do on stage. She walked on, smiled, and did her routine, just like she had practiced.
Following her teacher as they danced to a Christmas song that I'd never heard of before.
Doesn't she look like a natural?
Loving this on-stage thing!
And a bow at the end....great job Libby & Sophia!
Nonna & Pop brought Libby roses, just as every dancer deserves! When we asked her what was her favorite part about the recital she responded, "When I got to go on stage". Wow...I think you all know who she's going to take after!