Christmas 2011

We had a wonderful Christmas day!  Every year I say, " Wow, Christmas can't get any better than this!".  Somehow it does and I love it! 

We added a stocking this year.  Do you see it?????? It says GRANDPA!  

We thought he needed his own!

The girls opening their stockings

Presents from SANTA.  Just getting ready to open them!

Kayla got a diary that only unlocks with her voice and Lydi

got 2 "fashionista" Barbies that have interchangeable heads.

                   Yay, Barbie make-up cases!                    &             Malia got exciting bowls from IKEA!

Malia having fun with her presents

Kayla was so excited about her diary!  It was fun to watch her open it!

The girls were excited to show Grandpa their presents

Moore Family

Christmas 2011

Christmas Eve

Matching pajamas....

Pillow Pets.....

Letter to Santa....

 (Front : Dear Santa, Can you get Kayla a diary that only unlocks with my voice and Lydia a book with bracelets on each page.  From the Moore girls

Back:  By Kayla, Go easy on the COOKIES and FUDGE! (she has a good sense of humor)

......and a picture of our tree all lit up.  So pretty!

We had a lovely Christmas Eve.  It was spent playing in the snow with Grandpa, having fun with cousins, opening presents,  eating birthday cake for Jesus and a candle light service at church.  

Sledding with Grandpa!

Grandpa LOVES to be outside and he LOVES the snow and he LOVES his Grandkids!  That makes for a perfect day of sledding.

Kayla and Grandpa had a total wipeout!  

Thankfully Kayla fell on Grandpa and not the other way around

Kayla, Tea, & Lydia making snow angels

Malia enjoying the snow with us!

Tea and Lydia sledding.  Tea's face, evidence of another wipeout!

Kayla and Mommy

Ty and Grandpa

GINGERBREAD HOUSE!

The Annual Ginger Bread House!

This is my favorite holiday tradition that I've started with the girls.  Well, it actually started before kids when I worked at the hospital.  We would have a team competition every year with the patients and staff and it was a lot of fun.  The tradition has now carried over into the home and the kids and I love it!!! 

We don't just do a ginger bread house, we do a....... GINGER BREAD HOUSE!!!!

(lots of candy is a must!)

Kayla having fun and getting on that "sugar high"! 

Sweet Lydi!

Kayla concentrating while eating some candy :)

Done with the roof, time for the sides

Finished!  

Next year we'll let Malia help!  

HOLIDAY BAKING!

BISCOTTI

My dear friend Soni and I decided to take on the challenge and make biscotti.  Not bad for the first time and  who knows, maybe we started a tradition.  They were actually super yummy and it's amazing what chocolate can do.  Soni says "it can cover a multitude of sin" and she's right, they turned out beautiful!  

CANDY CANE COFFEE CAKES

I made these with my great friend Nickie!  I love baking during the holiday and catching up with old friends.  These coffee cakes have been a holiday tradition for as long as I can remember.  I have years and years of memories making these with my mom, so of course they are extra special when I make them now.  

GINGERBREAD COOKIES

No special story about making these gingerbreads except they are were sooooo good!  They were thick, chewy and O' so yummy!  

 COOKIE CUTTER PANCAKES

AND.........SUGAR COOKIES!

The Christmas Season Is Here!

Going to get a Christmas tree each year has become such a fun family tradition!   It's something we all really look forward to.  I love family bonding time!  We usually go the weekend after Thanksgiving but Harley was in Thailand.  So, we missed the 60 degree weather and had to settle for 6 degrees.  We bundled up the girls and headed for the Christmas tree patch.  

We had talked this year about going to cut down a tree in the forest.  Both the girls said that they like the tree patch better because they have apple cider, hot chocolate and a fire.  Maybe when they are a little older we'll attempt the forest and bring our own apple cider and hot cocoa.  

That's the tree!  Right behind us!  

I love the how the girls were so excited to help with the tree!  Harley was so good and patient with them.  They all took turns helping daddy put the lights on.  

As we approach this holiday season, may we focus our hearts and minds on the true meaning of Christmas. 

 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Future Hair Stylist

Lydia was being so sweet to let Malia brush her hair.  It's Malia's new favorite thing to do.  

She walks around the house saying "brush,brush, brush".  

One of life's sweet sister moments

Grandpa's Thanksgiving Visit

Grandpa's first night here! The girls were ecstatic! 

Grandpa is always so much fun!  All 3 girls enjoying an airplane ride.  Malia is at that stage where she wants to do everything her sisters are doing.

Going to the zoo is one of our favorite things to do with Grandpa.  It was also Ty's birthday so it made the visit to the zoo extra special!

We never get tired of feeding the giraffes. 

The zoo gang. Poor Kayla was sick :(

Happy 7th Birthday Ty Guy!

The carousel never gets old either!  It is usually the first request the minute we enter the zoo. 

Thanksgiving Day!  

Dad and His Girls

The girls thought we needed to do something special for grandpa's last night here.  

So....... we went out for Ice Cream!

My cousin Hannah also spent the week with us.  She was down from college on Thanksgiving break.  

We loved having her too!  

Happy Halloween!!!

The Cutest Black Cat!

Beautiful Cinderella!

Sweet, Sweet, Lady Bug!

My favorite picture!  

Itchy Kitty

Aren't they adorable!

Halloween 2011