Author: pazmeyer

mortons {chicago}

We had pretty stress-free travel on the day after Christmas. We made it through security in about an hour, which was surprisingly quick and exceeded our expectations. Our flight was in Chicago and we arrived without incident. We hoped on the orange line, transferred to the red line and then walked to the Drake with all our bags and the girls carrying their own backpacks (for most of the walk). It was pretty remarkable and these girls continue to impress us with their fabulous traveling abilities.
 
After settling in at the hotel our first stop was Mortons. But of course! We met Poppy, Melissa, Becky, Darnell, Lily and Madison for a feast in the private room. We were pretty hungry from our travel so everyone chowed down. The girls were so excited to see their cousins too!
 
 
After dinner Gwyneth and I drove back to the Drake with Darnell, but Annabelle and B walked. I was so impressed that Annabelle was walking so much on a big travel day. It was cold out there, but she bundled up and never complained. That’s our Chicago girl.


christmas

I thought for sure the girls would be up by 4 am to see what Santa brought for them, but I was pleasantly wrong. They slept in until 7. Santa spoiled them rotten and even managed to stop off at YaYa’s house and brought her gifts also. There was lots to open under the tree and the girls dove right in.
We had a very Merry Christmas!
 
I’m not certain, but I think Annabelle liked this shirt.
Using the new trampoline as a bench to open her new chapter books. What? Trampoline? Wait…am I crazy anti-trampoline??? Why, yes, yes I am. I guess Santa wore down and gave in to the girls’ abundance of requests.
 
Gwyneth loves her stuffed animals.
 
 
We are going through a pretty crazy Frozen phase around here. Especially Miss Gwyneth.
 
 
My mom sent me this fabulous new plate that has a prominent place now in my living room. I had quite the peacock Christmas.
 
Yum, breakfast courtesy of B
 
making omelets

eve

We had houseguests from Dallas, The Geyer’s. We spent the afternoon catching up and the kiddos played. Gwyneth had fun causing a ruckus with Hudson and Kennedy; they are less than a year apart.
 
 
After our lunch fun, we headed over to the Build A Bear store. I expected the mall to be nutso and although it was crowded it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had dreaded. Instead of buying the girls gifts this year we decided to spend the evening together and let them build their own gifts. They decided to build reindeers and may have lost of their little minds in the store.
 
An entire store full of stuffies that you can build for yourself! I thought we were going to have to give Gwyneth oxygen to keep her from hyperventilating. An entire store of accessories and dresses for the stuffies. Annabelle had to be seriously reeled in.
giving their reindeers’ hearts special wishes and thoughts.

donaldson’s

Gus and Misti joined us for an early Christmas celebration. We exchanged gifts which were nothing short of fabulous. The girls were in heaven playing with their lego, painting their new tea parties and hugging Gwyneth’s new stuffed Kobe (which is a beagle just like Gus & Misti’s dog). I got new Christmas socks and a peacock wine glass….jeez, they act like they know me soooo well, huh? B got awesome beer coasters, golf balls, and a University of Phoenix tshirt. I won’t try to explain this joke, but if you know Gus and B then that should give you a nice little chuckle. (He has worn the shirt for the past three days!) 
B created quite a feast of ham, sweet potatoes, and green bean cassserole. We ended the evening with Mexican Train and Catch Phrase. 
Merry, merry Christmas friends!
Why gus? Why always so mad???

carlsons

The Carlsons invited us over for a fiesta this evening! We had margaritas, carnitas and lots of catching up. It had been far too long since we’ve seen them. The girls were amazingly brave around the dogs and all the kids had fun chasing each other around. Almost a bit too much fun – as they smacked right in to one another and there were a few tears. 
Thank you, Carlson family for the very fun night!
Annabelle was having a bit of an allergic reaction to the dogs and we dosed her up with some benedryl. It made her a bit looney tunes, but helped her swollen eye. Jack ran into a wall and I think Gwyneth tripped over him or ran into him….or something equally silly….

swimming santa

We kept up our tradition of breakfast with Santa at the aquarium. The big guy visited our table and the girls loved watching him swim with the elves and winter mermaids.

Gwyneth hopped right up on his lap and asked for a trampoline for Christmas. Annabelle was not having it but did manage to sneak in her request for a horse. A real live horse….again. When asked where she would keep it, she replies “in a barn in the backyard”. Well, obviously! Our HOA doesn’t allow sheds, so I’m not sure how they are going to feel about our barn and farm animals.

Swimming Santa

parties

Gwyneth celebrated the holidays with her kindergarten class today. Parents were invited and we were able to help the kiddos make gingerbread houses. What a mess!!

Gwyneth had a tough transition into kindergarten, but she has now find her groove and is doing great. We love her teacher! She has met some great new friends at school and still proves to be the class clown, which suits her.

Parents were not invited to Annabelle’s class party but she came home full of sugar and a bright blue mouth from candy so it appears to have been a hit. She dressed herself up for the party and wherever I walked in the school I heard about how fabulous Annabelle looked today. That girl and her dresses; such a little fashionista.

We now embark on our 17 consecutive days of no school. Oh lordy! Let’s hope I can find my patience and that these girls don’t tear each other to shreds in the mean time.

hip hop

The girls showed off their rockin’ hip hop moves in tonight’s holiday dance performance. They both love this class and have some seriously sassy moves.
 
 
 
Gwyneth and her buddy, Paige who is also in her girl scout troop.

oz

Annabelle had her Daisy holiday party this evening so Gwyneth decided to put on a little fashion show for me. She started off as the Little Mermaid and then moved to Dorothy. And that turned into a Wizard of Oz dance show. And then that turned into a Christmas Oz Show. I’m sure I’m partial because she’s my daughter, but I did some of the singing and it was truly stupendous. Don’t believe me? Mix a little Yellow Brick Road and Jingle Bells. You’ll want to see that hit performed on Broadway.
 
 
Now, it’s getting serious!