Brrrr! We are staying inside these days because the freezing wind up here in Buckley is too cold for us! Jaxie pretty much stays in front of the fireplace 24 hours a day (clearly, she lives a difficult life) and Dan and I keep Ellie busy (or rather, she keeps US busy) with lots of holiday crafts, games, etc. Our favorites lately are making Christmas wrapping paper and homemade gifts, "camping" in forts, preschool activities (Ellie LOVES to trace, write letters and numbers, and has even started some really basic reading! HOORAY!), and of course playing "mommy" to all the baby dolls in our house. We also finally finished up our decorating! The house looks so festive with beautiful garland on the staircase and over the front door, candles lit, and of course our RIDICULOUSLY enormous Christmas tree. I can't help but laugh every time we look at it. Certainly a memory we will never forget. Anyway, here is a mishmash of pictures from our days here at home. Enjoy!
My little student.
Did I mention our tree was a bit large this year? :)
Such a great helper to Mommy and Daddy
Cookie in one hand, ornament in the other. Atta girl!
Helping Dan with the garland...actually, just eating snacks. It's a mystery why she can't keep her pants from falling off her tiny butt when she eats as much as she does!
Checking the advent calendar!
Jaxie working hard at being a dog
Some of the many many little friends...these are the "first stringers" without the little siblings
And here is our attempt at using the timer on our camera. Needless to say, Jaxie was NOT cooperating!
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! :)
This is a picture of me with my cousins Megan and Megan.
Obviously, we are all pregnant.
Clearly, one would think I am due first.
Sadly, I am not. :)
That's what I get for being the oldest (almost 30!!!!!!!!!!!!! GASP!) and for this being my second (or fourth...depending on how you count them) pregnancy. Anyway, I still love the picture and I am excited for all our little ones to grow up together! Megan (in the middle) is also having a girl and Megan (on the end) is still waiting to find out. We are doing what we can to keep the McDonald family expanding (literally) because it just isn't big enough yet...YEAH RIGHT! Have you seen the McDonald clan? It's enormous! Fortunately, everyone is fun, funny, loving, beautiful and supportive (not exaggerating...Dan is a great example if you need proof :) ) so I am happy to continue the gene pool. :)
Did I mention our tree was a bit large this year? :)
Cookie in one hand, ornament in the other. Atta girl!
Helping Dan with the garland...actually, just eating snacks. It's a mystery why she can't keep her pants from falling off her tiny butt when she eats as much as she does!
Checking the advent calendar!
Jaxie working hard at being a dog
