decking

The day after arriving home from McGrand Thanksgiving week, we put up our Christmas decorations.

The girls were pretty great helpers this year. Em was so excited about putting the angel on the top, so J hoisted her up and let her have the honor.

Em and Roo marvel over the tree and decorations each morning when they wake. When we return home from outings, they stop and gaze at the tree every time, gently touching favorite ornaments. It's simply the most special and magical time. These girls love putting on a birthday celebration and to have the privilege of celebrating the birth of Jesus all month long... well, it's amazing. They understand that instinctively.

This is going to be the best Christmas yet!

Nannie's house

Nannie's house is a favorite outing when we visit the McGrands.

She's got the coolest vintage toys and serves up homemade mac'n'cheese by request. Then, she lets you eat it while you sit in Dubbie's barber chair.

She doesn't fuss if you climb up on her bed and make yourself a little reading nook. In fact, she tells you that you can move right in.

All her Christmas decorations are right where you can reach them and she doesn't mind if you do.

And the best part about Nannie's house?

NANNIE!

McCousins

Oh the wonderfulness of having 3 whole days with Jonah and Gracie.

Bonus points for having everyone else there, too!

the Nutcracker

Em and Roo had the pleasure and honor of attending their first ballet performance with the McGrands and Aunt Kaki.

The Nutcracker Ballet has been highly anticipated by the girls, Em especially, for about a year now. It did not disappoint.

They had an amazing experience and toted home two miniature nutcracker dolls of their very own, thanks to their sweet Daddy.

peeps and prepping

All Roo wanted for Thanksgiving dinner was Nannie's macaroni and cheese and some Peeps.

All either of the RGs really wanted was to get the show on the road and get to the McGrands' house.

At 8am, Em was fully dressed, toys in backpack and ready.

We weren't planning to leave until the work day was over for J. After 5pm. She was not pleased.

It was a long day of waiting.

At 5pm they changed into their jamma socks and loaded into the wagon.

Because the backpacks alone weren't a big enough hint.

At 6 we loaded up everything we owned.

We need a bigger boat.

we eat it!

We did a practice run on building a gingerbread house. This was a quick fasty made from graham crackers and some leftover cookie frosting.

It looked like this for exactly 7 seconds.

Then, they went all Hansel and Gretel on it.

we're mad about hats

This is how they showed up at my bedside to wake me one morning.

instruction worker Roo: this and that

loving her sparkly shoes and the balloon from school that day

still on a pirate kick... this hat courtesy of a princess and pirate birthday party

donning a daddy's hard hat and being adorable