Merry Christmas to All!

We are very blessed to have such good family and friends this Christmas and always. Even though we are spending Christmas in our house this year, our family is in our thoughts today.
I hope everyone has a Merry, Merry Christmas!

New Doll Stroller

Julia's other baby doll stroller broke and we had to throw it away. She was excited to get a new one with a Cabbage Patch doll inside. Also, a stylish mommy knows that you can't stroll around town without princess heels on. [Santa also brought a set of Disney Princess shoes]

Suckers!!

Santa brought suckers for Julia's stocking so she began eating sugar before 8:00 a.m. Daddy made her a sucker holder from one of his stocking stuffers.

Christmas Morning

Julia's big request this year from Santa was a choo-choo train. {Even though she said that "Santa scare me" and wouldn't sit in his lap } Regardless, Santa came through for her. She was excited to see not only a train, but Thomas the Train p.j.'s. She took off her Christmas pajamas and put her choo-choo ones on. What we've heard for the last couple hours is "choo-choo", "choo-choo". . .

All Dressed Up

After we opened presents, we got ready to go to the candlelight Christmas Eve service at church. I posed showing off my big belly. Then, Daddy and Julia posed for a quick picture before leaving.

Looking for More

After all the presents were opened, Julia went back to the tree looking for more.

Christmas Eve

Julia was so anxious to open presents that we could not put her off any longer. She went to the tree and just started opening a package. She really enjoyed tearing the paper and anxiously awaiting what was inside. She was most excited about the toys though. Her first present from us was a bath robe. She brought it to me and said, "I don't want it" and then ran to get another present. I think she needs a lesson in gratitude. Her Dowa (Dora) doll & Frickey (Mickey) Mouse packpack were her favorites from us.

Cute Story

Awhile back when we would pass by the Willow Creek Women's Hospital, I would explain to Julia that is where we will go get her baby brother. So now every time we pass, she says, "Hospital, see baby brother". Today there was a t.v. show that showed a newborn baby and I told her that was a baby like her little brother and she talked again about the hospital. Tonight, Curt and I were in the kitchen and Julia ran in there and said, "I want to go to the hospital" over and over. It took us a minute to figure out what she was saying but she said that she wanted to see her baby brother. So I explained to her that her baby brother was still in my tummy, but when he was ready to come out, I would go to the hospital and she could see him. She started getting upset and said, "I want to go to hospital." "Get baby brother out of tummy now."

Making Gingerbread Houses

Julia made little gingerbread houses with our neighbor, Kristen. I think Julia ate more icing and candy than she put on her house. In the end, we did have one good final product.

Quest to find a Train Set

I have already mentioned Julia's newfound obsession with trains. A couple weeks ago when I asked her what she wanted Santa Claus to bring her, she said, "choo-choo train". I said, "Wouldn't you like a baby doll or shoes, etc.? No, "choo-choo train". We had already bought all her Christmas presents so we hoped this was a passing fancy. We continued to ask her over and over and every time she said, "choo-choo train". So we decided that if that is her only request, we will get her a train. I thought this would be a really simple task so I began looking online. Toys R Us, Target, Wal-Mart, etc. were sold out of the Little People Train Set that we had "chosen" for her. So I began calling local stores and still could not find a set or anything similar. I searched all weekend trying to find a train set appropriate for a toddler and one that was not $$$. I did find one but the company did not have any expedited shipping options and they could not guarantee that we would have it by Christmas. We didn't want to risk her awakening on Christmas morning once Santa Claus had come without this choo-choo. Finally after much searching, I found a Leap Frog train set locally and we have the special choo-choo train. We can't wait until Christmas morning to see her reaction!

Julia and her Friend

We were invited over to some friends' house over the weekend. Julia's friend, Noah, was there also. They had fun playing and found a little rocker to rock in together. We had a snap a picture.

Putting up the Christmas Tree

Julia had fun this year helping put up the Christmas tree. She wanted to look at every ornament and often asked, "What's that, Mommy?". I spent a lot of time explaining where the ornaments came from, what kind they were and the story behind some of them. She especially loved her snowman ornament that her Aunt Mary made for her. After all the lights and decorations were on the tree, she laid in front of it for a long time admiring it.

Riding on Choo-Choo with Santa

We took Julia for a ride on the Arkansas-Missouri Railroad train. I think her new interest in trains started with her friend, Noah, who is obsessed with trains. He brings a Thomas the Train with him practically every day to daycare. Julia was excited when we told her that we were going to ride on a train. The train ride began in downtown Springdale, went South to Johnson, AR and returned back in Springdale. It is a short train ride compared to the usual routes, but it is a special excursion only offered a few times each December and Santa, Mrs. Claus, and an elf ride along to greet the guests. Julia was a little apprehensive when she first heard the train whistle and saw it coming down the tracks toward us, but wanted to ride it. We had a nice table in the dining section of the train. When Santa came to our table, Julia did not want to have her picture taken with him or for him to hold her, but she didn't cry. This was an improvement from last year. We had a good time singing a couple Christmas carols and viewing a different side of our community.