Happy New Year!

Happy New Year's Eve! While I'm sure most of you are celebrating the coming new year tonight and probably won't read this post until tomorrow, I am at home with my girls :) spending the holiday the same way I have for the last 5 years. The noise and clamor of fireworks, parties, cheers, and noisemakers are perfectly juxtaposed to my quiet vigil at home. Every year since we met, Dan has worked New Year's Eve. The first few years, I would ride along with him and we would always try to stop on the bridge in Seattle to watch the fireworks at midnight. It was a lot of fun (his work is so interesting) but eye-opening to say the least. Literally, Dan sometimes had to play "eenie meenie miny moe" because there were SO many drunks on the road. But since we had Ellie, I stay home safe and sound while Dan works the riskiest night of the year. Tonight is no different but perhaps more difficult in wake of all the recent tragedies involving officers, ironically all on or around the major holidays. So while you all celebrate and wish each other a new year of good cheer and prosperity, I am praying to God that my hubby love (and every loved one) comes home safely tonight. Even Ellie understands that Daddy needs to stay safe; she called his phone and said a prayer for him so he could hear (this was her idea). I wish I had the recording although you would all sob as I did if you heard her sweet voice and innocent words. So we are home. Happy. Safe. Blessed. But nonetheless still eager for morning to come when I hear that wonderful sweet sound of Dan's work boots on the entryway tile. On this eve of the new year, we McDonalds wish you all the same things we pray for every night: that you stay safe, secure, healthy and together with those you love. Having all that, we are so blessed. Happy 2010! (And here is a stream of pictures from the Christmas holiday. Christmas was very joyful this year. Ellie cracked us up singing "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells the way" and "Rudolph the red nosed reindeer...However the other reindeer, used two laughs and called him names." We didn't want to correct her because it was adorable. We celebrated many times over and I particularly relished the moments when we just hugged each other and appreciated the moment. The kids were adorable and as they grow, they interact, love, and enjoy each other so much more. Ellie is so blessed to have all her cousins around her age and all her grandparents, aunties and uncles fully involved in her life. Enjoy!)

Movie night at Mema and Papa's...Noah loves Ellie's hair :)

Big cousin Olivia gave Ellie a Moxie Girls guitar. So cool!

Lots of love to go around!

Santa was here! Hooray!

Ellie was the first one awake and the first to discover the signs of Santa

Being silly with Aunt Sissy!

Making eggs, pancakes, and bacon with Papa Lenny

My sister thinks Ellie looks like me when I was little

At Nana and Papa's house...playing a new game with Daddy and Auntie Tara Happy Christmas! Here is the McDonald (and Ward :) ) clan...Ellie is holding her new "big sissy" doll from Nana and Papa One more visit...this time everyone at our house! All of the grandkids...sans Adam and our bun in the oven...in birth order: Olivia, Nick, Ellie, Noah and Nathan. (any guesses where my husband decided to be in this picture? Real funny Dan!) playing football More guitar! And this is what you do if you are Mema...:)

Christmas Cacophony

The Joy is on Her Face

Some pictures from our visit to The Cannery in Sumner. Ellie got free popcorn, candy, hot chocolate and a balloon. She saw Santa, talking chickens, horse carriage rides, and toy trains galore. I mean, for a kid, what else is there? :)

Happy Birthday Mema

To Sandy's House We Go

Thursday night we went to Sandy and Greg's house for a Christmas visit. We had a great time eating WAY too much (Chicken Divan and salad for dinner, candy and peppermint ice cream and hot cocoa ice cream for dessert!) and exchanging gifts. Ellie of course was in sheer HEAVEN because, per usual, Sandy and Greg did their best to make her feel like a little princess. They SERIOUSLY need grandkids...hint hint to Jaret/Ashley. :) Afterward, we stopped by Snowflake Lane in Bellevue to dance with the drummer boys and say hello to a few snow characters. It was a wonderful night!

At Sandy and Greg's House...the decorations were AMAZING!

Thanks Guys!

Cowgirl Hat #1

Cowgirl Hat #2 With Daddy at Snowflake Lane

Ellie's Visitors

I don't know what it is about Christmastime that brings people to visit more than usual but WE LOVE IT! In addition to our travels to the homes of friends and family, Ellie has been enjoying the recent stream of visitors at our house. Usually it is so quiet around here with just the 4 (soon to be 5!) of us, but lately there has been more noise, laughter, chaos and delight. I think it is God's way of preparing her for her sissy! Also, Uncle Manny and his brother-in-law are staying with us all this week so that only adds to the fun. Ellie played soccer, tea party, fishing, and store with Uncle Manny last night and has a whole list of activities for today. :) He is a VERY patient uncle!

Ellie gives Nana (and Papa) a handmade Christmas present

Ellie explaining EVERY Christmas decoration in detail to her Nana and Papa

Dan and Papa playing Hungry Hungry Hippos...ironically, Ellie had to ask if it was OK if she could play too!

Ellie and good friend Sawyer eating yet another Christmas cookie!

Jossie is still learning to walk but apparently already knows how to fly!

Ellie waiting for her friends...clearly she is not at all excited!

Ellie, Liam and Rylee preparing to make handprint wreaths

Happy Holidays!

Be Merry

Saturday night we went to a Christmas party at our friends Bob and Rosanna's house. All the little kids and parents were there and we had the best time. There were gift exchanges for the kids and LOTS of food and dessert for everyone (Thanks for the jalapeno poppers Rosanna! Baby thanks you!). Our kids are grown up enough now that we adults actually got to enjoy conversation while they played in the playroom! Amazing! All in all, it was a great night!

Mommy of two girls...I better get used to doing hair!

Ellie has such beautiful hair! I just love this picture.

Some of the many many little friends...these are the "first stringers" without the little siblings

Ellie and her Mama :)

Ellie opening her present...Hungry Hungry Hippos Game!

Ellie and good friend Jacob

And here is our attempt at using the timer on our camera. Needless to say, Jaxie was NOT cooperating!

Around Our House

Daddy and Ellie play Twister. I have to tell you that this was HILARIOUS! We all laughed the whole time!

Neighbors came over for Pizza, Wii Bowling, and a cookie decorating party. So fun!

The kids watching a movie on our kitchen chairs in the family room. They thought this was so "cool." :)

Ellie being Ellie in her playroom. Fortunately, we are having another girl so we don't need to change the colors!

This picture cracks me up. This is where Jaxie goes everyday around 5ish (when Dan gets home). She is absolutely miserable without him and sits at the top of the stairs so she can see out the little cut out window above the entry way. When his car pulls into the driveway, it is absolute chaos! Jaxie (and the rest of us) go crazy with excitement. Who needs Santa? We have Dan and I swear his arrival home each day is just like Christmas morning! :)

Ellie waits with Jaxie and gets a good Jax kiss in the meantime!