Merry Christmas

We are looking forward to Christmas in a few days!  Christmas is getting more and more fun each year that our kids start to understand better.  It is fun to hear the excitement for Santa, but I'm also love to hear Brynlee recite the Christmas story and begin to understand the significance of that night in Bethlehem.  We've been able to do a few fun things we want to share:

 Brynlee had her first dance recital.  It was adorable!  She loves going to dance every week.  The girls both love to dance.  I wish I could have had a camera on both of them so you could see Ellie doing all the actions as well.  We listen to the One Direction song "What Makes You Beautiful" about eleventy million times a day.  Ellie especially loves to dance to that song. Obnoxious does not adequately describe it, but it is hard to say no when Ellie is saying, "Wanna dance, peeese!"

 This is Brynlee's good friend that she says she is going to marry.  Kaden is a good boy and puts up with Brynlee constantly wanting to dance with him.

 Sorry for the picture overload.  The other cute girl in the picture is Kaden's sister and Brynlee's sweet friend Kylie.  Their cute baby sister Kenzie and Ellie get a long well too. :)

My cousin Kellie's daughter also danced at the recital that night.  She is an awesome dancer!  So fun we could watch her dance too!

 The girls got to see Santa at our ward Christmas party.  Brynlee requested a boy and a girl barbie and a Belle dress-up dress.  Ellie was nice and let us take her picture. 

 We went to a Christmas even in St Charles where there are lots of characters related to Christmas dressed up that you can visit with and collect their little trading cards.  (As you can see the picture with Mrs. Claus) We were able to go with my cousin and her family and had a great time!

The girls are growing fast!  Ellie is speaking more and more.  My favorite thing she says is "Welcome mama."  She doesn't say thank you very often any more, just 'welcome'.  She also requests oranges several times a day.  She is getting so particular about things.  She doesn't like her orange broken in pieces.  She likes it handed to her whole.  She doesn't like using a sippy cup and insists on eating her cereal, yogurt, whatever herself.  No more spoon feeding her.  It has made life much messier for me!  She loves to sing and dance and do whatever Brynlee is doing.  She also loves to climb on the table and get into the trash can.  You can tell she keeps me busy.

Brynlee is rocking at reading.  I love that she reads to Ellie and can keep her entertained.  She needs very little help these days.  I met a lady from the elementary school she would be going to and they told me that they make no exceptions for birthdays past the deadline (which her's is) which means she won't start kindergarten for another year and a half.  I'm glad to have her home with me, but I'm a little bummed because I don't think it is in her best interest.  Oh well, I guess we'll see what happens. I started teaching her piano and she is catching on well. 

They are cutie pies and we feel lucky to be their parents!  They keep us busy and we hope we are doing all the right things!  We will miss being with family this year for Christmas.  We are excited to not be traveling though and are excited for gifts that would not fit in a suitcase!  Merry Christmas to all of you!  Thanks for checking in on us :)