All these gifts and I want to....

The gifts weren't all even opened yet when Gemma found her preferred spot. She settled in to read her new book to herself on the coziest spot she could find...

Christmas!

The kids loved having another Christmas at home. They were so kind and thoughtful and made sure to take turns opening their gifts. They were getting along wonderfully (not so true in the proceeding hours in the drive home).

William absolutely adored his Lego idea book. He didn't or couldn't pay attention to anything else after that. He would halfhearted open a present with his eyes still on the pages of his book. We finally took the book away from him and made him open the rest of his gifts before giving it back to him.

Gemma got a new baby and she was delighted (thank you GranGerry). She couldn't wait for it to be out of the packaging and in her arms. She has carried it around under her arm ever since. She also had a few regifted items. She didn't really need a whole lot and I wanted to send a message to the big kids:these toys are Gemma's now. She loved the toys and didn't complain at all.

Amelia was in love with all the new American girl doll clothes she now has. Even though she didn't make this set of pictures, she was having a wonderful time!

Christmas dinner at home

We came home earlier than usual this year. We have quiet the line up of things on our winter holiday agenda: I want to refinish our master bathroom, we need to work on a science fair project, and build a Cub Scout pinewood derby car. For the first time in a long time (maybe ever), we came home before the last minute. Usually we are sliding in at the last minute with a mountain of laundry and jumping right into work/school/home stuff the very next day. John rarely (never) just has a day off when we are home. We try and save everything for going to see family.

Anyway, we came home and cooked up some festive tree shaped ravioli. We ate on our Christmas dishes, used our Christmas napkins, and lit up our spinning angel decoration for the first time. Grandma even sent us home with delicious lefse, that everyone loves. Gemma had her first lefse this year, I'm pretty sure she loved it!

After we cleaned up, it was finally time for gifts! It is too much work to haul everything with us, so we always leave everything behind under the tree for when we get back. Even if it would make our lives easier (new games, videos, etc).

Gemma likes to sled

The day after our sledding adventure, John and I were sitting next to the entryway of my parents house. The kids were off playing and Gemma was hanging out with us.

Gemma wandered off and came back with her jacket in her hands. She handed it to John with a wide eyed look of expectation. She pointed to the sleeve and then to her arm.

"Yes, the coat belongs on your arm."

She shook her head. Babble words. Pointing again. This time she also attempts to insert her arm into the jacket.

John gamely plays along. I giggle a little to myself because I have a guess as to where this is going.

She gets one sleeve on and points at the other one. All the while, we continue discussing William's science fair project. This distraction is what I blame for John's lack of foresight.

Two arms inside the jacket, she points to the zipper. John obligingly zips it.

She toddlers away, satisfied. John and I continue taking. Gemma returns with mittens in her hands. John slips them on her hands. Then she makes her way to the rug next to her boots. She plops down next to the boots. She lifts her foot up in the air and grunts. Then she points to her foot.

She does this 2 more times before John scoots over and puts her boots on for her. She stands up with a smile and points to the front door. "Dee?" She asks sweetly.

John looks startled as he realizes she wants to go outside and she is ready to go.

With a sigh, John puts on his coat and boots and takes Gemma out to sled. She has a huge smile on her face. I thought she might not last a long time, but they were out playing for over 15
Minutes.

Gemma looks for grandpa

Gemma loves her grandpa. She just lights up when he walks in the door. He is the first thing she looks for when she wakes up from a nap.

In this video, grandpa is upstairs and Gemma wants someone to come with her to find him.

Watch for:
Hand gestures for come here, upstairs
Shaking head no
Calling for grandpa (bapba)

Gemma plays Wii

Gemma is very observant. Even when you think she is not looking, she is. She watched several people play wii. When she finally got her hands on a controller, she knew just what to do!

Sledding!!!

The temperatures were pretty cold most of the time during our Christmas visit to Minnesota. One Christmas Day, the temperatures were much warmer so we took the kids out sledding. We only have a picture of Amelia sledding with Uncle Mike, but don't worry. All the kids had a chance to sled and play in the snow!