Arnold Family Christmas

My three favorite people, getting ready to head to Grandma and Grandpa Arnold's for more presents!

Torry and Wes trying out the lock-picking set I got for Geeb. It's only illegal in some states, by the way.

Every year there's a horrible gift my mother finds and calls it the "Mother-in-law" gift. This year it was a book about pee. Hayden always is amused by the gift of the year.

Kenzie getting ready for brunch.

Parker ate two croissants and quite a bit of hot chocolate. For my picky eater, this was quite impressive.

Megan, Camille, and Kenzie hanging out by the present pile, waiting for their turn...

...Kenzie's gift was a Barbie horse!

Parker loves Buzz Lightyear, and now has a Buzz and a spaceship.

Brilee and Lacie are arguably a little old for footie pajamas, but it was kind of funny. This family is not normal by any means, anyways. (Insert joke here about why I fit in so well.)

The rest of the day was spent snacking on various cheeses and treats. A great Christmas as always! Such a bummer to have to wait a whole year to do it again...

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning!! Kenzie headed straight for the presents when she woke up at 8:15, but she did wait patiently for her little brother to wake up a few minutes later. Parker surveyed the living room with new presents and said, "Look! A mess!" We loved that.This was the most enjoyable Christmas so far with these two - both could open presents on their own (although we did have to keep reminding Kenzie to slow down or she'd be done long before Parker) and were thrilled about everything they got.

Case in point - this was the face Kenzie made for every single thing she opened. Here she's showing off her new Ariel lip gloss.

Here's Parker's face. Pure cheese.

Snuggling with their new pillow pets.

One happy girl with her haul.

One very happy little man.

Parker loves Blue's Clues, especially Periwinkle the kitty. Santa brought him a stuffed Periwinkle, and I loved his reaction. Kenzie has wanted the orange Zhu Zhu pet, Nugget, for a long time, too.

One last video, because I loved Parker's reaction to his panda pillow pet. Somehow he guessed it as he was about to open it, too. That is pretty amazing to us.

Christmas Eve

Parker was my kitchen buddy on Christmas Eve and helped roll out the dough for breakfast. He was very excited for Christmas this year, and understood more than last year.

Grandma and Grandpa Arnold joined us for dinner. I didn't think to take a picture until everyone was mostly done, but we had bacon-wrapped pork loin, au gratin potatoes, brioche rolls, roasted cauliflower and brussels sprouts, and several bottles of sparkling cider.

Parker showing off his new sword.

We let the kiddos exchange a present from each other - Kenzie picked out Parker a set of cars with Nick Jr. characters on them - he was very happy.

Parker helped pick out a Sleeping Beauty for the tub for Kenzie - she was happy, but when she realized the hair and dress change color in the water, then she was really happy!

Still with chocolate ice cream cake all over her face, here's Kenzie putting out some vanilla-dipped Oreos for Santa, along with the note she wrote in school. I wasn't allowed to open it, but Kenzie told me she asked again for a Rapunzel Barbie. Both kids were exhausted and had no trouble going to sleep despite their excitement!

Kindergarten Christmas Program

Here's Kenzie entering the room for her class program tonight. She was so excited to sing a few songs, say her line, and give her Daddy the present she was carrying (calendars they numbered and colored).

I was behind the piano (Kenzie volunteered me for the job!), so I was glad Chris was able to take pictures so I could see how cute the kids were. I got to practice several times a week with the kids recently, and it was always quite entertaining.

And here's an excerpt from their song, "The 12 Days of Winter". Tomorrow is Kenzie's last day of school before Christmas Break! I know I'm ready for a break from school, too!

Holiday Lights Again

Apparently it has become a tradition for us to drive through the lights at Thanksgiving Point each Christmas. We did go the past two years, and McKenzie was not about to let us forget this year. So tonight we headed out...

...but not without bringing a few friends along. I thought it was cute how her teddies were buckled in!

Parker said his panda wanted to see the lights, and his Gingkee (blanket) too. We can't go anywhere without either! Parker did fall asleep on the way there, but he didn't mind being woken up to see lights.

I thought these looked funky, so I took a picture. While I had the window rolled down, I could hear the sprinklers going and realized they were made of ice. Kind of different I guess. And there you have it - I think we are officially ready for Christmas in our house! Only one week to go!

Meet Allison

This morning was my 20-week ultrasound, and McKenzie was right, she has a little sister on her way. Kenzie cheered, "Yes!" whereas Parker was in denial. He shook his head and said, "No," but we know he'll be a good big brother anyways. He's been patting my belly and mentioning the baby today. I think seeing the baby on the giant TV in the room made it finally click for him. Chris and I would have been happy either way, but we didn't have a boy name we liked, yet we've had Allison picked out for a girl for years. So hooray for another little girl!

Kenzie's First Dance Recital

I'm not sure if I'm okay with how old McKenzie looks here! Last night was her first dance recital, and to say she was "excited" would be putting it quite mildly.

Little brother wanted in on the picture-taking, too, of course.

Kenzie waiting with her cheering section - Mom and Dad, Parker, and Grandma and Grandpa Arnold

It was hard to pick a clip - they were all so amusing to me. Kenzie is 5th from the left. Take a bow! (Kenzie is 4th from the left here).

Date Night!

Well, this doesn't happen often - a post not featuring the kids! Chris surprised me by taking me downtown to see the lights on Temple Square and eat dinner at the Lion House on Friday. Of course, we still talked about the kids most of the time...

And here you have me at 19 weeks. I have 3 layers on and mittens shoved in my pockets, so I look extra puffy. But not to worry, I won't be able to zip that coat very shortly!

Reception

I love the photo opportunities wedding receptions provide! Last night was the reception for "Aunt" Cheri's daughter, and the kids were very excited. Parker mostly for the lights, the fountains, and the rocks - Kenzie for the bride.

Everyone was getting a kick out of Parker, though, in his little outfit.

McKenzie got so bashful when we approached the bride that she hid behind me. But she did twirl and show off for others!

Parker knows what he wants - he got in line for a brownie, hot chocolate, and mo-mos (marshmallows). He ate and drank every bit, too. It was a good way to exhaust the kids for the evening, that's for sure! Congrats to Cameron and Cassie, too!

Santa!

Waiting in line for Santa - we waited about 40 minutes to see him, but the kids were pretty patient. At one point Kenzie decided to change gears and ask Santa for a princess couch. I had to steer her back to her original requests of Rapunzel and Fashion Barbies. I also kept telling Parker not to cry, since last year he screamed his head off.

It worked, though; no tears this year! Santa asked Parker what his name was, and Kenzie answered. Santa asked Parker what he wanted for Christmas, and Kenzie answered again. Santa asked Parker if that was correct and Parker nodded. He nodded again when asked if he would like a candy stick. I was very impressed with my little guy for being so brave.

Tree "Festibull"

It's Festival of Trees time! Kenzie's mind (AKA the steel trap) remembered last year and how much she enjoyed the popcorn. She immediately asked for some. I said, "I don't know, do you think they have popcorn again?" Her response? "Yes, they do, because I can smell it!"

The Cookie Monster tree was a big hit with both kids. I couldn't get Parker to stop saying, "Look! Cookie!" so I didn't bother even trying to get him to pose.

With the Elmo tree. Anyone seeing a theme here?

McKenzie stood so long in front of this display that a lady asked her, "Is that your dream tree?" McKenzie could only nod. She has loved princesses for so long that it's going to be weird when she outgrows them!