Our Little Christmas Elfs

Laurie bought elf costuems for the girls and the other day when we were over there the girls got dressed up in them. The girls were super cute in them, and Annette really loved the bells on her costuem. They had a lot of fun i9n them and did not want to take them off.

Carolyn was not too happy about not being carried.

Annette was happy though.



Now Carolyn is doing better.

So much better that she can jump.


Yep Annette, you are 3.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells.


I love this picture, I am not sure why I think it has to do with cartoons and people pretending there is a mirro where there wasn't really a mirror.

Posing with Laurie.

Our First Bout with the ER and Stitches...

Two weeks ago Annette had a little accident. She and her sister were playing with Christmas decorations and they knocked over a potpourri bowl. Mommy and I thought the bowl broke so we whisked Carolyn away, while Annette was trying to put the decoration she picked up back on the table. As she was doing so she tripped over a toy and fell knee first onto the bowl, shattering the bowl and cutting open her leg. We ran her to the emergency room (of course it had to be a Sunday) and she got 6 stitches in her left knee. She was such a brave girl, in the car she was telling her mom "I'm okay Mommy, Mommy I'm okay" and then she didn't cry until the stitches were almost done. We got the stitches out a couple of days ago and her knee is all better but here is a look at her wound over the course of the week.

Sunday 12/6/11: Right after the stitches were put in.

Later that night at home after being cleaned a bit.



12/10/11: She got to stay up late to "rest out" her knee each night.

12/15/11: Healing up quite nicely.

12/16/11: Stitches are out and the doctor says its healing nicely.

Throughout the whole process Annette was a really good, tough girl. Sure she played up her "hurt leg" to get some extra treats (like staying up late and watching Christmas shows) but for the most part she was really good about it. She is still limping a little, but only when she thinks about it and realizes we are looking, but otherwise she is fine. The cool thing out of all of this, is now Emily, Annette, and I all have scars on our left knees where we got stitches.

Putting Up the Christmas Tree

Last weekend we went out an bought our tree and then started decorating it. Annette was really into decorating this year, much more so than years past. Carolyn tried but she needed a little bit of help. We did a really good job decorating though, so much that we had to go decorate the little tree in the playroom. This is such an awesome time of the year.

Here I come with the tree.

Carolyn helped me tighten the tree stand.

Then attacked.

The girls amused themselves while I put the lights on.

Then it was time to decorate the tree.

But the girls liked putting ornaments in the candle holder better.


Mommy helped them with that part.

Carolyn took some time out of decorating the house to decorate the front of her shirt with drool.


Then she got back to work.

Good job little girl.

Yay for ornaments!!!

Then Mommy and Annette could finish up the tree.


Aww the Mickey and Minnie First Christmas Together Ornament.


A couple of sweethearts.

Then the girls found the Christmas tree glasses.

Carolyn's turn.

I don't know what is going on here, but she sure is cute.

The girls really like the Singing Snowmen and Stacking Santas

Time to decorate the little tree.

Annette wanted to put this ornament on first.

There it goes.

Carolyn wants to decorate too.

It's getting there.

She's getting good at this.

Carolyn is trying too.

Get the stocking on Carolyn.

Keep trying.

Then Annette put on the topper.

Then it was time to open up the new ornaments from Mema and Pepa.

Annette hung hers up really high.

There it is. What a pretty tree.

Thanksgiving at the Wisbrocks

Last week we made our annual pilgrimage to Casa de Wisbrock to spend Thanksgiving with my parents and watch Dinner: Impossible. It was pretty cool because Annette was super excited to go see her "big brothers" (what she calls her cousing) and Carolyn is actually doing stuff this time. So needless to say ti was a pretty cool trip to see Mema and Pepa. We had a lot of fun, plus it was the first time in a while that all of my brother's were there at the same time for a while which was really pretty cool.

Our first order of business was to visit Campo Verde, the home of billions of Christmas lights and Mommies that will eat your soul.

Annette having fun with her "brother" Will.

Here comes the train!!!

Having fun with Ryan and Will.

Then it was time to say bye bye to Campo Verde.

Then it was time to play at Mema's.

Geoff was really excited to meet Gloria Jean.

But he was more excited about his table "decorating" abilities.

The kiddos weren't.

Pepa took the turkey to the table.

After lunch it was time for a new-fangled challenge.

(Trivial Pursuit)

Carolyn wanted to play with the car seat.

She liked it.

Then she got closer to the game so she could watch Annette and I dominate.

SHOOOOOOEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

Walkie walkie walk walk.

Silly little girl.

She's chewing on a toy plate.

Hanging out with Ryan.

Oh No!!! Not the Toes!!

Jennifer and Camdyn kept a safe distance.

Time to go outside and play!!

Frank was ready to play.

Batter Up!!!

Now run run run!

Ryan's turn.

We fielded a top-notch defense.

Then it was time to hit the birdbath.

And run some more.

Emily took up her usual position during sporting events.

Uh oh, Annette found a shooter.

It's a Mexican standoff.

Time to play in the tent.

Awwww, somebody loves her Mema.

Sleepy time.

She had to get up to take Frank for a walk though.

There they go.

Pepa helped Carolyn eat some chips.

Mema helped too.

Later he helped put on shoes.

Shoes, check. Hat, check. Ready to go!!

Playing with the cousins agian.

Thanks for the help Ryan.