Christmas Eve

We had a very busy Christmas Eve!  Free Day at the Children's Museum, making cookies, and church.  We had a lovely day!

She LOVED the snow castle at the Children's Museum

Waving to Mommy before the slide

Weeeeeeee!

She loved the polar bear

Snow globe

Playing with the fake Chihuly glass

She insisted on riding the Tiger

Amazing selfie :)

Then she got scared and needed a buddy

Snow Castle tunnel...so much fun!

Waiting for a 2nd ride on the slide

This time, Mommy said "weeeeeeee!"

Sugar cookie time!

So much fun!

Showing off her cookie cutting skills

She wanted to roll!

Practicing her princess pose

Something's funny!  Pretty girl!!

Family portrait

Take 2

Only 1 day until Christmas on our Elfie countdown!

Merry Christmas Eve!!!!

We can't wait for Christmas morning!  Merry Christmas, everyone!


(p.s. if you noticed the black "smudge" in some of our pictures, we notice it, too.  we've already had our under-warranty camera fixed once.  looks like it needs it again.  BLAH.  cleaning the lens doesn't fix it.)

Family Christmases!

This is our first Christmas Day without extended family.  We'll be spending Christmas Day as a family of 3.  We have already had wonderful days celebrating Christmas with our families, though!  Here are some snapshots of those days.

Trying on all her presents with the Troutmans

Technology.

Glowing sunglasses.  Whoa.

With Granna

Loving her princess book from Mema and Pepa

Checking out Lola

Loving on Minnie

With most the Rom men

While we wish we could be with our families on Christmas Eve/Day, we are so thankful and blessed to have time with them as we have.  We wish them safe travels and wonderful Christmases in Naples, Chicago, and Kansas City!  <3

Countdown to Christmas

In years' past we've always made a point to do a 12 Days of Christmas countdown on the blog.  This year, time has just run away from us!  I do want to share what we've been up to so far this December, and will be sure to update after we have some more fun activities before we celebrate on Christmas Day.

Hanging out with friend Emme

What do I do with this?

Grocery shopping and found a friend

Changing "Elfie's" countdown numbers

Trying to get her to pose!

Smiley selfie

Checking out the presents

Worn out and shopping for Christmas presents

With her ballerina skirt and favorite headband

I'm mad at myself for not taking more pictures of her lately, but I guess that's what happens when she barely ever sits still!  :)  I hope you all are enjoying this season!

Happy Thanksgiving (a little late!)

We had a wonderful Rochester Thanksgiving, as usual!  It was so much fun having a new generation of Urbin grandkids to keep us on our toes--16 under the age of 11.  Then add in 21 adults and it was a full house of conversation, fun, and laughing.  Just like I remember from growing up--minus some of the louder conversations my aunts and mom could get into.  ;)  To cap off the fun day, even Santa came by to join the fun!  I made coordinating shirts for all the girls and the little boys.  I loved seeing them all together and know my Grandma Urbin would have loved it, too.

All the girls

All the shirts I made

All the great-grandkids (and some great-great)

2011 baby girls in order--Eliza, Gianna, Jillian

 

A favorite toy 

Chillin' with Santa and Mommy

Snow Much Fun!

When we were in Rochester for Thanksgiving Eliza got to play in the snow!  She was hesitant at first, but after seeing cousin Cody playing, she figured out what to do.  :)

Getting bundled!

Needing Daddy to hold her

Starting to explore

Let's try throwing

Success!!

Following Cody around

She lasted about 10 minutes in the cold.  She simply said, "I'm cold," and we were done!