Christmas Celebrations!

It is hard to believe that the holidays are over.  They are a very busy time for us with more parties and presents than you can even imagine.  It all began on Christmas Eve where we met at the Ackerman's house (Craig's sister) to decorate Christmas cookies and have the girls do a dress rehearsal of their Christmas day performance that was put together by Anna Marie, our oldest niece.  That night we headed over to my parents' house to open presents and have a nice dinner together.  By the time we got home, all the kids were asleep and we decided we had better put together the doll house for Allison and Ella.  Craig and I stayed up until 12:00 am putting together the doll house and watching Harry Potter, The Half Blood Prince.  A little less than two hours later, the house was complete and we decided we better get to bed before three kids were up ready to open presents.

Allison was up at 5:00 saying she had a bad tummy ache, but we knew she was eager to open presents.  She climbed in bed with us and after kicking and bumping me for the next two hours, we finally got out of bed around 7:00 when Connor got up.  We decided the kids had waited long enough and woke up Ella to join in the fun.  She was not happy.  

The kids were thrilled with there stuff.  Connor said, "Is this for me?".  He cheered and hugged his blue ring pop that he had asked for from Santa.  Every gift was a huge smile and hug.  Allison was thrilled to get her Rebecca American Girl and lot of accessories for her.  The doll house and a couple Barbies were a hit too.  Ella liked her peez and really wanted nothing to do with any of her new toys.  

After cleaning up the mess and making some food, we headed off to my grandparents house for noon dinner.  We had a lovely dinner with the Constants (even my other grandparents joined us since their party wasn't until the next day).  The kids had more presents to open and lots of desserts too!

From there, it was on to Grandma and Grandpa Alguire's house (Craig's parents) to open presents.  The kids were thrilled with their piggy banks filled with money and lots of trinkets.  

Next, it was on to the Ackerman's for Christmas dinner with Craig's side of the family.  We had a wonderful dinner and an amazing Christmas program put on by all the girls.  The oldest girls played the piano and the rest of the girls sang Christmas songs.  It was adorable and so organized.  WOW!

That night we drove back to GR and we were exhausted!  Sunday morning the kids were happy to play with all their new stuff and we headed back to GH for the Jonas Christmas.  Luckily, it was held in a hall and the kids could run around, ride bikes, and play with balls.  

That was it for Christmas parties, but we managed to squeeze in a New Year's party at Craig's parents' house on January 1st.  We sure did have a wonderful time with family and friends, but it is nice to have all the festivities behind us.  

Connor and Allison decorating cookies

A blue cookie, of course

Anna Marie enjoying some fruit and cookies

Doing more eating than decorating

Yummy

Looking for Lucy, the dog

Allison was Santa at GG and Papa's house

With GG on Christmas Eve

American Girl running outfit

What is it?

A football!

Hugging the football

Ella enjoying her new book

Reading with GG

Allison and me

Allison, me and Connor

Resting a bit after a bump on the head

Our new hoop from GG and Papa

Ready for the kids

Santa came!

Yes, he got his ring pop and a new Zhu Zhu pet

Cars

American Girl stuff

Opening Ella's presents

Spiderman

YEAH!

SOOO happy!

Cologne

Allison's new doll, Rebbeca

Ella enjoying the doll house

Ella with Jenny on Christmas day

Both sets of my grandparents!

Both sets of my grandparents with all my kids.  I love it!

Ella with grandma Constant

The Christmas show.  Kathryn and grandma doing a duet on the keyboard

The three oldest girls singing

Janelle, Brian and Craig

Allison, Ella, and Kadlyn

Ella and Allison

Allison got Ginger, the cat

Now we are on to Valentine's day!

Good-bye Civic, Hello CRV

My 2001 Honda Civic was the very first car I purchased on my own.  I put a lot of miles on that car driving from Ann Arbor to teach in Romulus for almost 8 years.  The last year I taught, we purchased our Odyssey and Craig took over the Civic.  Each Tuesday craig treks up to Reed City, a 110 mile drive round trip.  He has been doing this drive in the Civic, but the need for a 4 WD vehicle became apparent with the first West Michigan snow fall.  Last night we traded in our Civic and leased a 2011 Honda CRV.  It will be the perfect second vehicle!  Good-bye Civic, thanks for 9 great years:)

Happy 6th Birthday, Allison

Allison Marie Alguire

Age 6

It's official, we have a 6 year old in the house.  The excitement for this birthday was in full gear last night and after swim team practice, she managed to convince us to let her open her gifts last night.  It was one of those years where she seemed to get a lot of gifts.  The one she really wanted, was a Nintendo DSi and she went through the bags quickly in search of it.

The last year seems to have flown by.  Here are few things that she is doing now:
1. She is a member of the swim team
2. She played on a soccer team
3. She started Kindergarten
4. We moved into a new house and she got a new room
5. She is writing like crazy and beginning to read
6. She sounds out EVERYTHING:)
7. She is a big helper around the house and with her sister and brother
8. She can ride a two wheeler
9. She has gotten super fast and loves to run for exercise:)
10. She still loves to dress up and perform
11. She has lots of friends and is as silly as ever!!


We are so excited for the year ahead.  Six years ago Craig and I got the Christmas present of our dreams. It was love at first sight:)  We are so proud to be her parents.

Day one

Ready to go home

Allison Marie

Pajama Party

Cupcakes

Nintendo DSi

Hannah Montana

Ski outfit 

Birthday morning