Monday, December 31, 2012

Misc. Pics


Random other highlights from the week:
 
Camden and her classmates made homemade gingerbread men from scratch and decorated them on the last day of school before Christmas break.  It was probably one of the best cookies I've had in a while.  Camden didn't want to share!
 


Camden has been more attentive in torturing her beloved Max lately.  She wants to hold him 24-7 and chases him and recaptures him whenever he does escape.  He does a good job tolerating her.


Camden left her wish list in Santa's bag when we visited him on Saturday before Christmas.


She spends hours destroying playing in her room.  Her stuffed animals are constant playmates.  When they aren't strewn on the floor, she is lining them up on her up-turned mattress.

Blizzard Vacation

Kevin had to work every day from Sunday - Thursday, missing all get-togethers except Christmas breakfast.  He called on Tuesday from the tower and suggested that, with a blizzard forecast for the following day, that he get a hotel to avoid having to drive in the elements.  Further, since we would all be snowed in, perhaps we would prefer to be with him at a hotel with an indoor pool.  Sold!  Camden and I drove home from Aunt Linda's, packed a bag for two nights, and headed to Avon for a mini-vacation.
 
It was a great opportunity to break out Camden's new swimsuit.  Love the cherries and the ruffle!
 



The next evening when Kevin was working, Camden decided she should wear his new Colts jama bottoms for the evening.  I pulled the drawstring as tight as I could and she seriously wore them the entire evening.


Our hotel was right next to a Walmart and we managed to get out in the four-wheel drive truck in the blizzard to exchange Pop the Pig.  It was great to have it for in-between swims.  We even played in the lobby for a bit with some other kids also staying at the hotel.



We also bought a small bath toy that can be painted, washed, and painted repeatedly.  She enjoyed simply washing it off in the sink and creating/recreating for a good chunk of an afternoon.


On the day of check-out, Camden and I stopped at our favorite McDonald's for some energy-releasing play.


 
It was a great way to ride out the storm, make sure Kevin could safely get to and from work, and have some fun family time together.


Sunday, December 30, 2012

Gramma Pat Christmas

Camden and I headed to Lafayette for Christmas lunch at Aunt Linda's.  Gramma Pat and Grampa Jim met us there and the 5 of us enjoyed a delicious meal.  Afterward, Camden opened her gifts from them.
 


She got the game she requested (Pop the Pig), as well as Trouble and a few books.  We think we might have had a faulty Pop the Pig, but did manage a short "game" of Trouble with Gramma.

Christmas Morn

The tree was loaded with presents - as well as the stockings!  I love Christmas morning!
 

Papaw and Austin joined us for our traditional Christmas breakfast - monkey bread, scrambled eggs, and sausage - before we opened presents.


Camden loved her presents and so did we...

 
Our favorite gifts were from Camden.  She made them at school and brought them home wrapped.  We didn't open them until this morning.  Kevin's is probably one of my favorites ever.
 



Mine is super sweet too.  Gonna be hard to keep nice from year-to-year, but we will treasure it as long as we can.



Daddy had to go to work (again!) so Camden and I spent the rest of the morning playing with some of her gifts.


Saturday, December 29, 2012

Christmas Eve Prep

Camden brought home a bag of Reindeer Food from school, so we made sure to spread it in the lawn before she went to bed on Christmas Eve.
 

She then got to open one present - new pj's!



And just before bed she put out a treat for Santa and a glass of milk.  Of course, the next morning it was gone - except for a small crumb and a little swig of drink!

GaGa's Christmas Eve


After eating the traditional spread of wings, chili, oyster stew, bacon-wrapped weiners, cheese balls, and lots of goodies, it was time for presents.




The girls had a fun time playing with Camden's dancing toy and being pushed by Emily in a laundry basket.


Friday, December 28, 2012

Gingerbread Houses

One Christmas tradition we have started is doing a gingerbread house at some point in December.  We decided it would be a great activity for the extended family to do on Christmas Eve at GaGa and Grandpa's.  I bought 3 kits and we divided into teams. 
 
Camden selected GaGa, Emily and Haliana for her team.
 
 
Aunt Tammy took the remaining teen girls (well, Tara might be 20).


Amanda, Dalton, and Preslee represented team 3.  Grandpa excused himself to the other room!


These kits were not as user-friendly as we had last year and GaGa had to rescue a falling wall several times.  Having two pre-school/toddlers on her team probably didn't help.
 
 
Everyone worked well together, even though Dalton had to leave when Preslee had a coughing fit...Amanda was left all alone.  




 
Preslee made it back in time to help her mom put on the finishing touches.
 


The teams and their final creations:




From left to right:

House that survived the most disasters:  Team GaGa
Best use of product:  Team Teens
Neatest decorations:  Team Amanda