chris.reese.girls1.2.3.4

We enjoyed plenty of fun activities after Christmas... Before Chris flew home we visited my 95-year old Grandpa Dalley. He keeps asking me if I'm getting taller...hee hee.  What a sweet man and an amazing legacy. We enjoyed our visit very much. (Typical Brynn...honestly, she hates to have her picture taken) Hot tub time! Chris offered $1 to Ty and Paige to jump out and do a snow angel. Paige cannot say no to a challenge (kinda like her dad...)!  Ty reconsidered after putting his feet in the snow. Brynn had some tough days...this was one of them. She finally crashed watching Beauty and the Beast. We had to cancel out of a few things when we spontaneously left Washington, which was hard, but this was one of the perks we got to enjoy with our decision to head to Utah: the blessing of my niece, Claire! She's a darling. We love her! My sister was so sweet in allowing Paige to help with the baby A-L-O-T! Paige is anxious for another baby in our house and she got plenty of practi...

I'm almost caught up... Here are the pics and narrative of our Christmas Day... Kids coming down the stairs in the traditional line of youngest to oldest (although that didn't quite work). Yes, Brynn is crying in this picture. It's hard for a two-year old to understand the queuing...and the waiting. And Paige almost took a fall down the stairs because she kept her eyes covered.   They eventually made it downstairs. Here they are checking out their stockings. Santa left a lot of socks for our fam this year. We needed them! More stocking pics...and the only real pics of me from Christmas Day.  Not that I'm complaining...I mean, seriously, look at me?!  Brynn and baby #3 got matching beanies. Adorable. Brynnie's baby from Santa. She loves her and I do too. It's hard to find a baby that's just a baby.  And thanks to Paige, Brynn was equipped with a baby potty and a few diaper-changing items. All together, we had 16 people unwrapping presents. And when you ...

We started the afternoon with gingerbread houses. The toddlers ate a lot of their candy, but ended up with a pretty cute house... "Gam" and Brynn did a fine job Paige and Grandma made another house. Going crazy on the candy (and that smile...again) Later in the evening we had a "kid" dinner and proceeded with our program. With more younger kiddos we added some games: Guess What's in the Stocking and a version of Duck, Duck, Goose ...I think it was Elf, Elf, Santa.  We also had stories, a dance party, some singing, the traditional acting out of the nativity, and reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas. Paige was the angel. She picked out her outfit from the dress-ups. My sis, Rochelle, wore this leotard a few eons ago. It worked out well! Brynn abandoned me as a shepherd and decided it was more fun being an angel. Pretty awesome wisemen, eh! I love this pic! Unwrapping jammies... And here are the kiddos getting hyped up as the evening winds down An...

My brother's family and my sister Camille's family already had plans to be in Utah for the holiday. We showed up last minute and piggy-backed on all the fun activities... First Stop: Temple Square The whole gang (minus sis Camille taking pic). My dad literally carried Paige on his shoulders the whole time. Such a trooper! Me and the girls...you will notice Brynn's a tad upset. What you don't know is that she was this upset virtually the entire time we were at temple square. This is what life is like for her sometimes...she's quite the emotional child at times. Yes...this... Other days were a little more relaxed and we enjoyed things like... Snuggling my newest niece, Claire. She is a sweet l'il thing.  Taking advantage of the snow. They are all saying "SNOW!" in this pic.  Brynn reading a book to baby Jett...my newest nephew. Another doll face we could not get enough snuggle time with! And always into the holiday spirit. Brynn has mastered Jingl...

We are home safely. I forget how LONG the drive is to Utah, but we are grateful for safe travel and for my co-pilot mom on the drive home. She was such a trooper!  We are now adjusting back into real life; fake life can be so much fun! I'm sorting through all of my pics. Starting here are the festivities leading up to our abrupt departure out of town... PAIGE'S SCHOOL PARTY They had crafts, decorated cookies, ate lunch, performed a few songs, and had a visit from Mr. Santa Claus himself. Paige reminded Chris almost every day for two weeks prior to the event that HE was invited. It was a small miracle he was able to come, but it meant a lot to Paige that he was there. Singing Jingle Bells and S-A-N-T-A Paige and her good friend, Jill Ms. Jennifer - This is the manager of the preschool...Paige LOVES her! One of her two teachers, Ms.Colleen...we were sad that Ms. Cheryl wasn't able to be there on Friday Brynn loved experiencing the fun of the party. Paige did a great...