Christmas morning at home

Well, after a very eventful Christmas Eve out--little miss slept in till after 11 Christmas morning! Eric had already made the fresh squeezed pineapple/ orange juice. Grandma Jahn brought breakfast casserole, and I made mini-tater tots and biscuits...not to mention, the living room was filled with presents, all 4 grandparents, Kristin and Jim, Ily (Shadow was in the garage), and E and I bustling around. We'd all eaten and were enjoying our spiked coffee, when the littlest Young awoke...

When she finally made a peep, Eric and I raced up to get her (for fear she'd fall back asleep again) and quickly told her that all her Grandparents and Aunt Kris/ Uncle Jim were here (we've long-since learned that she doesn't do well with "surprise" guests waiting for her downstairs.) So both Grandmas came up to wish her good morning, and we headed downstairs for breakfast.

It took her a good 15 minutes or so to wake up, eat some breakfast, and really even acknowledge any presents. Mostly, she was interested in bows (of course) and occosianally as Eric or I would open something near her, she'd rip a scrap of paper off--then sign to one of us to open it. We kept the Grandpas hopping with tags, fastners, taped boxes, and installing batteries!

I think she had toy overload, because between all the people, toys, presents, etc., she didn't really know where to turn. She did enjoy some of the fun "pretty," smaller things in her stocking--that was fun. Clips, candy, pretty packaged, things...but mostly, I think she was quickly ready for her nap.

She had a VERY busy morning, with lots of family, love, memories, and laughs--it was a great Christmas morning, and I know we all had a great time!

Christmas Eve

The Christmas "window" for us this year was a long one! We started off at Christmas Eve service with my mom's church, First Baptist in G.C. Dad snapped one quick shot of Amara by the tree in her pretty Christmas dress, before we bundled up (it was COLD) and headed out! Poor thing had barely woken up from her nap, before we had to whirlwind out the door.

The service itself was nice--beforehand, she enjoyed seeing the drums and different instruments, but as soon as "quiet time" started, she was restless and not enjoying being contained in an aisleway between Mammaw, mom and dad.

She entertained herself with books, toys, and the nice couple behind us, but wow. What a LONG service--even though it was maybe an hour 15?

Back home and to bed, to get ready for a big day ahead!

Santa (Dennis)

Last year, Eric found Santa Dennis--who saved us from desperation. We (purposely) waited until the weekend before Christmas do to pictures, but when Amara caught a Roseola bug, we had to postpone. Well, all the Santa's had gone back to the North Pole, except Santa Dennis. He came to mom and dad's for a special visit--one we'll always remember with Grandma Lucy.

This year, Santa Dennis came in his usual full glory--and as Amara had learned about "Sanaa" and seen many pictures, we didn't know how she'd feel about the real guy (he is kind of larger than life, and certainly much bigger than an ornament or a card).

At first, she was happy to see him, but from a distance... We tried seeing if she was interested in sitting on his lap, but she wasn't interested at all; however, she did quickly warm up to him, and in no time was sharing toys, giving him a sucker, and high-fiving, and waving bye!

Santa brought a very special present, a wooden toy truck--that we hope she'll have for many years to come. She sat with him as she opened it and then immediately jumped down, to start playing with and sharing her toys.

Although we didn't get a traditional "posed" picture, we all really had a great time, and hopefully she'll look forward to her visit from Santa every year now.

Suzy Loo Who

One day, after a nap, Amara started waking up with a few waves/ curls. Because of the length of her hair right now, she ended up with a curl right up on top of her head!

At this particular moment, we were enjoying lemon yogurt and a HUGE winesap apple from Lynd's, that we saved from back in the fall. Dinner of champions, I know...and yes, Amara enjoys eating her yogurt with both a spoon and a fork. Lucky for us, it's thick enough that she CAN--basically, she does it "self" until she gets tired of not getting big enough bites, then lets us help her. But boy, oh boy, does she enjoy her fruits by herself!

Waiting for Santa

Mom snapped these pics at her house recently, and sweetly duped them "waiting for Santa."

The REAL story is that this window looks directly out onto mom and dad's driveway. This is pretty much the primary entrance into their house, so she's able to see anyone coming and going (as are the dogs). I THINK she picked up on the dogs always running to that window, and/or sitting in that chair, but now SHE has started going to the window too.

Last year, mom got a picture of her 2 dogs and Ily in the front bedroom, but I guess this year--Amara has replaced Smoky, either that, or she is just smaller and can get into spots he can't!

Santa Dennis is actually coming for a visit again soon, so I wonder if she'll see him coming in the window--AND what she'll think?

Little Gym Holiday Party/ Lydia's concert

We've had the Little Gym Holiday Party on our schedule since they handed out the flier back in October or November, and today it finally got here!

Amara loves to go to gym class with Miss Amber, but we hardly EVER all get to go as a family! Today we took advantage of it and all went together.

We got there JUST after it started, at 5, and it was already packed! (I guess everyone else loves gym classes too) We didn't stay long, but we did get to walk the balance beam, slide down a cool parachute slide, hang on the bars, see bubbles, and roll over the big donut-roll thing!

On the way out (to head to Lydia's concert) we even grabbed a (candy) cane for the road, which was a sweet treat ending to a fun night. We said goodbye to Miss Amber (Amara and Grandma Jackie will see her in a couple days) then headed off on the rest of our trip!

Off to see our friend Lydia sing--she is with the Columbus Children's Choir and her Holiday concert was at 6 in Whitehall! Luckily, Tammy, Julia and Justin saved us seats (THANK YOU!) and we got there JUST in time! We heard flutes, percussion, and got to see and hear lots of beautiful children sing about Christmas and stars, and they sounded just wonderful! Just like the ones you hear on the radio!

I didn't take any pictures, because I wasn't sure about posting pictures of strangers' children for the most part--but we really enjoyed the sights and sounds of the holidays there! Congrats on a great 1st concert! We look forward to many more :)

Cookie Day '09

Time for the annual Cookie Day fest at mom and dad's house. Most of the antics were 'the usual' however; this year, we had a wild-card...well, a few of them :) The obligatory bottles of wine were had and enjoyed (details to come on that, dad is still fishing them out of the recycling bin). Mom found this super-cute "cookie taster" shirt--which she WONDERFULLY captured, before Amara went down for her nap.

We got started with the traditional 1st batch of Chocolate Chip around 1. Mom and I started on the new recipe, PBR wheels (I'm calling them), when Darlene and Ann came--whom I quickly put to work on more PBRs and the turtles. They brought thumbprints with Nutella, and Oatmeal Raisin. YUM!

Carolyn came and dug right in on her AMAZING chocolate krinkles, snowballs, s'mores (did we make the tea cakes?)...and I lost track. OH, and she brought the most AMAZING cookie she did earlier in the morning with a cake mix, I think devil's food--I HAVE to get that recipe :) and the the snowman ready-mades, an Amara favorite! Man, those s'mores...MAYBE better than "real" smores! Bethany jumped right in too--I think she had to ice her arms down from all that mixing and ball-rolling, I know I would...lucky for her she's buff--haha! She and Carolyn as a team were a blur.

DK and Beth came bearing wine (always a crowd favorite). One of these years I'm going to get an apron on these ladies yet, but for now, the beverages will suffice...thanks DK & B!

Kristin and Cindy came too--Cindy brought the cutest ornaments, shaped like cookies in the letters "e, m, and a" (already on our tree)--she ALWAYS finds the best ornaments for cookie day--these REALLY look like cookies too! They worked on those pretzel/ kiss/ M&M bite things, and mixed it up with some peppermint ones that looked WONDERFUL! (oh, we sent Eric to the store right about then, to get pretzels--of ALL things to forget! Thanks E xoxo

Dawn and Casey were machines. They are officially the newly dubbed "team Buckeye" henceforth. (nephew approved!) They cranked out the snickerdoodles, AND the iced the sugar cookies, in amongst the buckeyes!

Danielle and Jeremy came with newest cookie man, Calum, who was a total angel--and I think enjoyed all the sights and smells!

Sheri helped me with the bark, then she quickly moved on to the butterscotch/ PB haystacks with Amanda, while Eric (arm twisted I'm sure) watched baby Mikayla (only 10 1/2 weeks and too little to stir--we'll catch her next year!)

And last, but NEVER least, Kortney brought the balls. Well, she didn't BRING the balls, but she, and Amanda, and Sheri, and I think a few other hands, made the "traditional" oreo balls, and she mixed it up with trying the Golden Oreo balls too this year, why not, right? I love those things--so tasty...and i LOVE that Kortney comes not only prepared with ingredients, but her own latex gloves. Only Kort. love her ;)

Thanks all for a wonderful Cookie Day '09! Special mentions to Jaren and thank you for the adorable ice cream truck :) and Mal, we hope to see you next year too, Eric is officially in charge of the toddler room!