Chloe's Dance Holiday Party

Chloe and her teacher Ms. Ann(e)
I am sure my friend Cheryl could tell you the term for what she is doing but I can't even bend like that.

She is just so darn cute.

Sorry I am at an angle but it is still cute. This was the day of Chloe's dance holiday party.

Tea Party with Twinkle and Shimmer

Twinkle and Shimmer got hungry

Twinkle and Shimmer must have gotten hungry on their trip back from reporting to Santa. They stopped off at McD's to grab a bite to eat. They also were caught watching a movie when we got up that morning.

Coloring with Twinkle and Shimmer

I have to say, I did enjoy this one a lot. =) Most of the time with I have the girls color it is because I need to get something done. This time I got to sit down and enjoy it.

RC Fourwheeling

Twinkle and Shimmer found Dave's RC car one night and took it for a spin in the family room.
Shimmer was the daredevil and road the RC Car.

Twinkle preferred driving the car.

Twinkle and Shimmer: Our Elves have arrived

I am late on these post but I am late on everything. Last year Santa Claus sent the girls two elves, Twinkle and Shimmer, to watch over the girls to make sure the belonged on the good list. Last year they only watched, but thise year since they are comfortable in our house, they have decided some nights they would be mischievious and do some silly things. This was what happened the first night.

Reading the Polar Express.

Caelyn was trying to figure out what was going on.

Caelyn with her elf Shimmer.

Chloe with her elf Twinkle.

2010 Santa Claus Visit

Chloe decided she wanted to visit Santa all by herself this year. No matter what I said to try and get her to take the picture with Caelyn in it she refused. But I love the two pictures. Caelyn may look scared, but really that is her cheese face (with a little uncertainty of the bearded man).

Festive Caelyn

It's that time of year

I thought I would share this since the girls and I are going to be writing their letters to Santa this weekend.

I was googling for a template for Chloe to use to write her letter and I came across this:
http://blog.christmaslettertips.com/dear-santa-letter-template/

I also came across some tips on writing a letter to Santa. (Some of the items mentioned below are already included on the template)

10 Easy Steps for a Great Letter to Santa
Tips you can read to your kids to help them write a letter to St. Nick
1. Get in the Christmas mood. Put on some Christmas music or your favorite holiday shirt so you'll be ready to think about Santa.

2. Ask your parents for some paper and a pen. You can use any kind of paper, but if you'd like something special, try the Dear Santa letter template at Christmas Letter Tips.com, the free Santa letter template at Santa's North Pole Zone.com or the free letter to Santa template at Santa Letter Templates.com. Ask your parents to help you download these documents.

3. Start your letter with a greeting, also known as a salutation. Good ways to start your letter include "Dear Santa" or "Dear Santa Claus."

4. Let Santa know who's writing the letter. Of course he knows who you are! But you need to let him know that it's you that is writing the letter because he gets so many letters every day.

5. Ask Santa how he's been. Santa only hears from you once a year, so before you start asking about toys, it's polite to ask how he's doing or how the reindeer and elves and Mrs. Claus have been.

6. Tell him how good you've been this year. Before you ask for toys, you'll also want to remind Santa Claus of some of the good things you've done this year. Have you been nice to your sister or brother? Have you helped your parents by putting all your toys away? Santa already knows these things because he sees you when you're sleeping and knows when you're awake, but he likes to be reminded of the reasons you should be on Santa's Nice List.

7. Politely let him know what toys you'd like. Ok, you've asked about his life and told him how good you've been, so NOW you can let him know what toys you'd like. Try to keep your list to the two or three things that you want the very, very most. That way he'll know which gifts to bring.

8. Thank Santa for being so kind and close your letter with your signature. After asking Santa for a few toys, be sure to thank him for his kindness by saying something such as, "Thank you, Santa, for bringing so much joy to kids like me" or "Thanks, Santa, for bringing me toys every year." Santa loves little kids who are polite. Then end your letter with a closing such as "Sincerely" or "Love" or "Best wishes" and sign your name.

9. Put your letter in an envelope and seal and stamp it. Make sure to lick the envelope so it's sealed tightly, and then ask your mom or dad for the address.

10. Give the letter to your parents to send. They'll put it in the mail and make sure it gets to Santa in time for Christmas

Chrismas with the Parkins

The evening of Christmas is always spent at my Grandma & Grandpa Parkin's house. There all dad's siblings and their family's get together to celebrate Christmas (we also celebrate Easter together as well). Each year the number of people grow because the grand kids are getting older and having their own kids. This year the newest addition is Andrew Ryan, he is my cousin Pam's youngest. Meagan is in her 3 year at college and Drew (the baby of the grand kids) is in his senior year. I can't believe he is going to start culinary school at Kendall College in July. It is so crazy to think we are all getting older and having kids of our own.

Christmas Eve

Each year on Christmas Eve we celebrate with the Walker/Howell side of the family (which is my mom's side). I get to see cousin's that I normally don't see because of everyday life getting in the way, but I also get to see my Grandpa Parkin's sister, my Aunt Betty and of course the wonderful Weidner family. Really Christmas eve is an open house for friends and family to stop by and visit.

When we get home from the Christmas Eve festivites, the "elf" work begins. This year Dave had to put Caelyn's bike together (darn Santa, I think it should be mandantory for him to drop off everythign assembled don't you?). We were smart and put the Mustang Chleo received together the begining of Christmas to make sure it was going to work. While Dave did that I cleaned up the ouse alittle to prepare for everyone to come out and stuffed the stockings.

Don't think the girls get this much from Santa. Their Santa gifts are the ones unwrapped. My dad brought hout the presents for the girls from him and my mom early so the tree looks packed. We also recieved the package from Aunt Lisa and Jen because this year was a year they were staying home for Christmas. Cindy was probably wrapping gifts until midnight, like she has in the past, and brought her gifts out in the morning. There were alot of packages under our tree on Christmas morning.

"Santa" relaxing after putting everything together.