Christmas at the Hausers

I think our total number of Christmas events is 7 or 8. Either way they are fun, yet exhausting to a 2 1/2 year old. So I'd expect something like this...

However, she bounces back quickly...there may have been a bribe in there. :)

All the Family-Part II

The children in-laws :)
Francis, SuSu and Faye

Our attempt to get one picture with everyone (meaning no one behind the camera). Pretty funny (camera timers and those attempting to use them) and a chilling experience. Although anyone complaining about the cold didn't really mean it because they just exited the Hot House!

*Note for the future when we all forget-Faye's mom is standing next to Grandpa.

All the Family-Part I

I'd hate to do a roll call to see if all these people were present! I'm pretty sure there are a few missing here and there-but the majority happened to be around when the cameras started rolling.
These are the great grandkids with Grandpa.

The grandkids...

The children still living. Momma, Uncle Donald and Uncle Tony
Missing: Uncle Frank and Uncle Danny (the oldest and youngest)
And of course Grandma-we sure do miss her!

The grandchildren in-laws-all those fortunate to marry into this fun family! Deddy in red (back right), Kevin in red (shocker, down front) and soon-to-be Aunt Mary (front right)

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's

After brunch we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Marion's for a sweatfest (smile). Really, you fit that many people into a house it's bound to get hot.
Through the years we've learned:
1) Come hungry but have patience. There are so many people and so few seats around the table you eat in shifts (but you'll also eat the whole time you're there!)
2) Wear comfortable pants (see #1) plus you are probably going to be sitting on the floor at some point.
3) Don't wear that new sweater you just got, you'll only ruin it with all the sweat your body will release.
4) Takes lots of pictures because these kids grow fast!

Grandpa (94-holla!) and his two youngest reindeer. Dannie and SKV are great grandchildren.

Sidney Kate LOVES older kids. She loves our neighbors and she loved all the attention those older cousins gave her.

The room where most of the sweating happens :) These are grandkids and greats. The old folks get stuck in the hall peeking in and yelling out directions to their kids. Like "Give me that coin, I'll keep it!" Grandma and Grandpa always give silver dollars out at Christmas.

Sidney Kate got "Punzel" for her gift!!

Christmas Brunch with the Cox Family

After waking up and seeing all the goodies that Santa brought, we got dressed and headed to the Cox family brunch. The kids almost seemed to have a hard time waiting for their turn; they managed though. Sidney Kate got great stuff including a backpack with her initials and a Wolfpack pocketbook! She had a tough time getting off the floor after putting on the backpack though-she'll grow into it. :)

Christmas Morning!

I have videos of Christmas morning but here are some of the funny pictures that were taken.
"I can't paddle it!"

"Ohhhh crocodiles!" She now corrects me if I say that, "No Mommy, they are Crocs!"

Indy: His life hasn't been the same since the big, white, hairy guy came into the picture...and it only seems to be getting worse.

Getting Ready for Santa-Part II

So after the cookies were made, the pajamas (pee-jah-mas) were put on, it was time to get ready for Santa-officially! Sidney Kate picked the perfect cookies, helped pour the milk, wrote him a note...and tasted the milk to make sure it was safe for Santa. No one needs Santa to get food poisoning on Christmas Eve-so she took one for the team. (Nevermind she told me she had to a have a "yittle" bit.)

Getting Ready for Santa-Part I

It twas the year to start a tradition for Christmas! This year Daddy and Sidney Kate got to working in the kitchen to make the perfect cookies for Santa. Sidney Kate was very excited that she got to help and did all her jobs wonderfully (and with much detail!) Daddy let her roll out the dough, cut the cookies and decorate them with SPARKLES! The last picture on the right is her face when the first batch came out of the oven-pure excitement!

Christmas Eve at GG's

For Christmas Eve lunch we traveled to GG and Pa Bill's house to hang with the family. Kaylee and Sidney Kate got in some much needed playing time and opened a ton of presents while they were at it.

Party with Brett

We've not had a party with Brett and friends in awhile so we scheduled one right before Christmas. Brett and Sidney Kate had such a good time that when it was time to leave she told us, "But I'm not done with Brett yet!"
Aunt Jill, Uncle Josh, Uncle Andrew, Jason and Grayson (future in-laws) all gathered, ate and laughed at a dancing reindeer and the kids paid us no mind. They only needed each other and a house to roam in.

We'll have to do this again soon!

Cutie Cute Cute

I am impressed when she can actually do a different pose than standing...without Daddy helping. :) I was trying to get her to show me the flowers on her shoes-good job! :)

This adorable fairy outfit is from Uncle Keith and Aunt Emily. She loves it-the wings, the shoes and the wand! She wanted her hair to look just like the girl on the box...well this was as good as I could get it.

She was walking back down the hall with me when she stated, "But Mommy-I can't fly!" I told her she'd have to pretend. Crazy movies putting ideas into kids heads (wink wink).

Favorite Spot

Since the tree has been put up, this has been Sidney Kate's favorite sitting spot. She plays with the presents, ornaments and anything else within her reach. It's the farthest spot from the TV too but she'll sit and watch Dora just the same.