We got all dressed up to see Santa! Alli was going to ask Santa for a "small microphone," and as for Avery, well, she "dono." :) I was hopeful to get our very first Santa picture with both girls on his lap. Fingers were crossed!
Santa is going to love us!
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!
Alli walked right up to Santa and answered all of his questions!
Since he was okay with Alli, he was okay with Avery, too!
Ready to do some Christmas shopping!
We are BOTH ready!
It snowed! Okay, it snowed everywhere, but it actually snowed in Anacortes! The girls loved it!
Meet the newest addition to our family.
Isn't he cute?
We love him!
It's Olaf! (Or maybe a distant cousin.)
I mid-December we had our Nysoe-Hanson Christmas. Decorating gingerbread cookies was a new experience.
Avery had a great time decorating hers... while sampling everything, of course!
Alli took a little longer to finish hers.
Followed by some more deliberation.
Meanwhile, Julian wasted no time on his guy.
Are you done yet, Alli?
Alli finally decided to get started!
Mike kept himself entertained while waiting for Alli to finish.
Since she couldn't make it "pretty," she finally agreed to make it "delicious."
The proud cookie artists! Wait, where's Julian?
Oh, THERE he is!
Time for presents!
The presents were a hit with everybody!
So much fun!
Time to make cookies for Santa. Smashing the candy canes is the most important part, you know.
Princess Olivia, her brother, Jack, and her mommy, Michelle, came up to play!
We decorated some amazing trees!
Usually Mike gets the credit for a picture like this, but I can claim this one this time!
Wrapping my present for Avery.
Merry Christmas Eve! Alli is proudly modeling the necklace and bracelet she purchased with her OWN money the day before. Such a big girl!
We are off to Mamo, Papa, and Gma's house! We missed you, Daddy.
Wait, we get to open a BIG present right away from Uncle BJ and Aunt MJ?
Pink balloons!!
That means they are having a baby GIRL!!
And they are naming her Julia Mae!! Congratulations!! We can't wait to meet her this May!
Aw, a cute cousin shot!
Another good one!
Whoa.
Gma and her newest great-granddaughter, sweet Baby Gabby.
Isn't it time for presents, yet?
Landon wants to open some!
Gabriella's first Christmas!
Okay, it's getting a little rowdy. Time for presents!
BJ and his little elves are passing out the gifts, FINALLY!
No, I'm not passing out presents. Can't you see I'm eating?
What do you MEAN I don't get any presents?
Yeah, like I believe THAT.
Time for presents, Gabby!
Just keep the presents coming while I take this call.
Aunt MJ, this one is for Baby Julia! Maybe you should open it for her;)
What is in that ten-foot box?
Why, a ten-foot caterpillar, of course! (Tiffany and Mark are pretty proud of that one.)
However, BJ got the best present of all...??? Be careful what you ask for!;)
Alli's final present needs to be opened on the table??
It's a goldfish!
Wow! My first pet!
I must take a closer look.
Thank you for the "princess fish," Aunt Linda! Of course, Alli named her Ariel!
Alli chose the perfect plate, since red is Santa's favorite color!
Making chocolate milk for Santa.
Santa will be so excited!
The next morning... HE CAME!! Waiting for the girls to get up....
Avery was up first!
Look at the stockings, Grandma!
Santa ate the cookies!
Alli's up (with an armful of clothes to wear for the day:)!
Merry Christmas!
Checking out the cookie crumbs and stockings. Wait, there are two extra stockings! Santa must've known that Grandma and Grandpa were over!
Diving right in:)
Alli got her microphone, and it came with a guitar!
Time to open the trunk!
How much dress-up stuff is in here?
I hope it's bottomless!
I'm Ariel!
And Snow White... or Belle?
I'm a peacock!
Rapunzel and Grandma Annie.
Grandpa sure knows how to rock a boa!
Breakfast time!
Stockings!
There isn't a present I cannot open.
Ooh, what's this?
Daddy's inner rock star shines brightly on Christmas morning. :)
It seems to be hereditary.
Mommy's turn!
Wow!
My baby got a new bed!
I got one, too!
What's so funny?
Those dancing elves look awfully familiar!
Merry Christmas, Uncle Chris and Aunt Emily!
More presents? If you insist.
Thank you, Aunt Emily!
Oooooh...
Thank you, Great Grandma Hanson!
Present overload, perhaps?
Uncle Chris, what do you get when you get us 540 crayons for Christmas? A chance to look at EVERY SINGLE COLOR!
EVERYONE gets to look at them ALL!
Look who's getting into the New Year's spirit!
Bring it on!
What? Is that JULIAN spicing things up?
Bling is contagious!
We thank you, Auntie Laura, for bringing the bling!
Julian's hat suits me, don't you think?
Oh, yeah. I look marvelous.
SO CUTE!!
Let the dressing-up BEGIN!!
DADDY?!
The Lone Ranger and his sparkly sidekick.
Tyler and Mike... I think. I am blinded by both.
Don't forget me and my bling!
Gosh, I wonder where the kids get their sense of style? ;)
Do we know how to ring in a New Year, or what?
Waiting for the ball to drop.... (Don't tell them Mike found last year's on YouTube.)
5... 4... 5... 2... 1...
Happy New Year to you...
and you...
and you!
Bring on 2014!
Popping open the sparkling cider!
Cheers!
Time to PARTY!!!
Are you feeling the beat?
Because WE ARE!!!
We are, too!!!
Dancing the night away!
Wait, it's only 7:25? It's a good things the kids can't tell time, yet. ;)
Good night, kids. Now it's time for OUR party!
Drinks and games ALWAYS make for a good time...
...wouldn't you say?
Cheers to an amazing 2014!!
