Christmas Eve

On Christmas eve, Addysen and I spend the day at home and got ready for our Christmas party at the the Link's. Addysen did wonderful all day - considering she did not nap well ( she must have been excited that Santa was coming). So we headed off to Abingdon, to Jerry and MaryAnn's and we had a nice dinner and got a chance to catch up with everyone. Addysen got to show off her skills of pulling herself up. Then it was off to Altona to Christmas eve service. And what do you know - that little stinker did not sleep one wink during church. She was very good though. Daddy only had to take her out once and all she wanted to do was crawl around. Then it came time for communion. Addysen decided to put on a show for everyone at church too. All the way down the asile, she was flipping my hair up and snickering. It was really cute and I think the people who saw it, thought that it was cute too. (I'm just glad that I was able to compose myself enough to not get the church giggles too bad). Once we got home, Addysen was still awake (at 11:30). That is when I realized that I did not have anyone take our picture all night. So I made Aaron and Addysen stand in front of our tree and I set the timer on our camera so I could have a picture of us on our first Christmas together. Needless to say, Aaron was not pleased about this. But I got my picture - whether Addysen is looking or not.

Then on Christmas day, we spent the day at home and then in the evening we went to Grandpa Jim and Grandma Sharon's house. Uncle Ryan was coming home all the way from Maryland! We had a very nice dinner (Grandma Sharon did all the cooking -THANK YOU!!!) Then we opened up presents. No one was counting, but I think Addysen got the most! (I think she might be loved - just a little) Now we are getting ready for New Years Eve, and spending time with Uncle Ryan while he is home. AND -- This Sunday, we get to meet someone new and special in Uncle Nate's life. Ooh!!!!!

Christmas

Well as you could have guessed, Addysen was spoiled during her first Christmas. Santa, Mom, Dad and the whole family was VERY good to her. She got too many toys to fit in our small house. This is a problem that I am going to have to deal with (toys and stuff everywhere). She of course does not like to have them all put away nicely like Mommy does (ha ha ha). She got toys, books, clothes, a table to stand up and play at and two stride to ride bikes (which she loves). My Aunt Cheryl also gave her a fridge farm that she loves to play with. It is so much fun to watch her play with it. It plays music and every time it starts playing the music she gets so excited and she starts bouncing up and down or kicking her feet like she is dancing. It is so sweet. The other thing that I have noticed this week is that occasionally she plays differently when she thinks no one is looking. She got a telephone from Grandma Sharon and I have caught her 3 times now picking it up to her ear and babbling softly like she is talking to someone. (it just melts my heart - how did she get so cute?) When I pick up the phone and talk on it and tell her that it is for her and put it up to her ear, she just smiles, takes it from my hand and starts chewing on it.

I saw Santa!

Addysen went to see Santa Claus today! It was a fun experience that I won't forget. She probably didn't have as much fun as Aaron and I did. When we got there, we had to wait in line for about 20 minutes. (not too bad, unless you're with an irritated husband) Addy really liked this part, watching all the kids around us. Once we got up to Santa, Aaron put her in his lap and she looked at him and looked at us like, "what in the heck are you doing to me, and who in the heck is this crazy guy?" Her lip started quivering and her eyes filled up with tears as she looked back and forth at Santa and us. We were smiling and telling her that it was okay and the photo lady was squeaking a toy to get her attention for the picture. So we were able to distract her enough to get an okay picture with him, but I think that it is safe to say that she did not enjoy the experience.

I got new slippers!

Addysen is always taking off her socks when she is at home. So I decided to get her some slippers to keep her little toes warm. I just think she looked so cute in them. (it still didn't solve the problem - she likes to take the slippers off too.)

At the Mall

While my sister was home, we of course went to the mall (in Peoria). The older kids (Morgan, Caleb and Ben) rode the train that was across from Santa while Aubrie and Addysen watched. They just thought that it was so cool to be out of their strollers, standing up and watching the train going round and round.

A visit from the Bakers!

This past weekend my sister and her kids were home for a visit and we had such a great time! I just wish they could have stayed longer. Addysen really liked playing with her cousins, baby Aubrie (11 months) and Ben (4). At first, she didn't know what to think of Aubrie. She is bigger, more mobile and more confident. By the end of the visit, Addysen was standing her ground and I think the girls were playing like true cousins! It was very cute to watch them play together.

During this visit we also had our Johnson family Christmas. It was fun and interesting. We had a contest to see who could wear the ugliest christmas sweater. It was funny and put everyone in the christmas spirit. The winners of the contest were my cousin Sarah (basically because her sweater was ugly and it was too small), my cousin Meggan's boyfriend Brad (his sweater had lights and music) and the winners for the kids was my niece Morgan (I think that one was rigged - due to the party was at her house and her mom was the judge!) So if you were wondering why we are all dressed so badly in these pictures - that's why.

Well, we have more christmas party's to come, so I'm sure there will be more and more pictures to come. (but I'm sure I won't be able to get Aaron to wear a red turtle neck to any more parties! - sorry)

Busy time of year.

It has been a while since I have updated our blog, but things are getting busy! I can't believe how time has just flown by this holiday season and Christmas is right around the corner! This past weekend, Aaron, Addysen and I went and chopped down our Christmas tree. It was cold, but fun. Addysen didn't seem too interested in the trees. She was more interested in the lambs that we saw. She kept staring at them and talking to them. It was very cute.

Now we are getting ready for our first Christmas. We have our first family gathering next Sunday in Peoria. We are really excited because my sister, Emily and her kids are coming home, all the way from Louisiana! She is braving the airplane alone with 2 kids! We can't wait for her to get here and for all the kids to play! (i just hope i get my shopping done - but that is another story).

Here is a video of Addysen pushing her highchair across the kitchen floor. She discovered this on her own. She pulled herself up on the highchair one day and then it started to move. So she just started pushing it across the kitchen like her own little shopping cart! She does this with anything. Just this past weekend, while we were decorating the tree, we had the ornament box on the hardwood floor and she discovered it. She pulled herself up to it and started pushing it across the dining room! This child is very busy and always on the go! She wants to walk so bad! She even dares to stand up and let go at times. She's my little dare devil!

Fun in the tub!

Addysen loves to take a bath! No matter what kind of night she is having, as soon as it is tub time, she is a happy camper! I think she would just sit in there and play all night if we would let her.