Merry and Bright

Our Christmas holiday this year can be summed up in one word: FUN! What a great week we've had. First, we celebrated with our cousins Sandy and Greg. They have the most festive home and Sandy's homemade cookies are hands down the BEST! Dan and I literally fight over who finished the last of the almond shortbread (usually it's me :) ).

Greg and Ellie play piano together

Kate crawling on Sandy's kitchen floor

Dan and me with our little girls

LOVE this picture...(Dan had to leave early to go to work)Best Buds

Then we spent Christmas Eve together, just the four of us. This was such a treat. We took the girls to church and then we played "Santa" to all of our current and old neighbors. Ellie baked special cookies and made cards. We were home in time to leave some cookies and milk, read Twas the Night Before Christmas, and then we all went to sleep to wait for Santa! This year, Santa did not disappoint! WOW! We have some lucky girls! Dan and I really enjoyed their excitement this year...Kate LOVED her tunnel and Ellie was the poster child for Christmas morning excitement. What great memories we made!

Christmas Morning...

Only Santa Claus could make sure Ellie got a PINK trampoline! (but look who already wants her big sister's toys!)

I love that Kate is kissing the bear in this picture...

After opening (and playing with) the presents, we ate our traditional Christmas morning pancake breakfast and then went to Dan's parents' house. And the fun began....again! At Nana and Papa's house, we always open stockings, then presents, then scratch our scratch tix, then play with toys, eat yummy appetizers, and finally play board games. Here is a great picture of Ellie ready to dig in to her stocking!

Ellie being silly with Uncle Jim

Nana and Ellie share a special moment at the tree...every year a new ornament is added

Kate loved her presents but truly loved the wrapping just as much!

It's been so long since Dan and I took a picture without kids...we were laughing in this picture because we literally couldn't remember how to "pose" as a couple. I'm not sure if that is funny or tragic. :)

Love this shot of Ellie and Nana. Can you tell Ellie loves being at their house?

We left late that night and drove to Spokane (we got there at 3 am!). Let me tell you, this sounds awful but it is the ONLY way we will take that trip now! The girls sleep the whole way...no "are we there yet?" every 5 minutes! LOVE IT!

Our little "deer" :)

Noah (2 years old) is completely obsessed with Kate

Well, this picture basically sums up Christmas at Mema and Papa's house. Football game on in the background, kids opening presents at the same time, Kate eating paper, and all the parents trying to open the impossible packaging on the toys...total chaos and complete fun!

The grandkids and their pillow pets

Sledding in Mema and Papa's backyard

Picture of our family on the Santa cruise on Lake Cour D'Alene.

As we come into the new year, I know my family has been so blessed. We are happy, healthy and together. We pray that 2011 offers the same to you! Have a happy and SAFE New Year! Love, The McDonalds

Days of Christmas

Some new December pictures from the days leading up to Christmas! Enjoy!

Ready to go caroling....

Ellie's class at the senior assisted living home. Ellie is standing center/right. Ellie and her teacher Ms. Christie

Ellie and Kate love to be together

This is actually a picture of Ellie making sure Kate doesn't crawl toward something she isn't supposed to play with. Interesting method there Ellie!

Mommy getting ready to put Kate to bed for the evening

On a "walk" though apparently that only means me! These two are NOT easy to push!

More playtime at home...

I love this little dress from Mini Boden. Kate looks like a doll!

Hmmm...this looks like a good tunnel....

Our little wonder-woman!

Another day inside and LITERALLY my children are climbing up the walls!

At the annual Christmas party with all of our old Gymboree friends (Ellie looks like my cousin Laura here)

(The original crew...Ellie, Liam, Ava, Gabby, Matthew, Mary and Jacob...and good friend Sawyer too!)

The fire department came to our neighborhood late one night with Santa in tow. Ellie was SO EXCITED...it was past bedtime, raining, and all the moms and dads and kids were in the street in their jammies...TOO COOL! A memory she will have forever! Recently, Ellie's preschool class put on their Christmas program. Ellie was chosen to be Mary in the nativity story and let me just tell you that is no small deal! It was a very special part and a huge compliment to Ellie that she was chosen for such a role. She did so great and sang and danced her little heart out! Needless to say, we were (are) SO PROUD of her!

Ellie's number one fan gives her a round of applause :)

Auntie Tara and Nana and Papa of course came to support Ellie!(Look at Tara's cute bump! Baby boy will be here soon!)

Happy Holidays!