More Decorating for Christmas

Josh had two interviews the Monday after Thanksgiving so we stayed longer than my sisters and their families. Sunday night we decided to put up my parent's Christmas tree since we weren't doing our own. Brooklynn loved it but mostly she was ALL about the Santa Mouse tree. Once she put in all the lights, she did it over and over and over again. I think when we finally left they were all out again. It was so cute to see her liking this, my sisters and I used to fight over who got to fill in all the lights every Christmas.

Attempt at a Cousin Picture

Well...no luck this time. 

Thanksgiving at the Ashley House

After a bit of decorating the Bean Christmas tree we headed to Fort Wayne to see my family. Everyone else got there in the morning so they got right down to business when we got there and my parents passed out early Christmas presents. It was one per family and it was a Charlie Brown Christmas book that talks and plays music. So cute. 

Uh uh....Gabby, stop teaching Josie how to eat paper.

"No Josie, THIS is how you eat it." -Gabby

There ya go, Josie...Gabby will be so proud.

Breakfast before church. 

Brooklynn is very sweet and gentle with little Josie. I guess her feisty attitude towards Gabby is just a sibling thing.

Josie is learning to roll.

She also is trying so hard to crawl...she doesn't go anywhere yet so she just looks a little bit like a seal. It is so stinkin' cute.

Decorating the Tree

We decided not to do our own Christmas tree this year because of our crazy move. This little tiny tree I'm holding is our only tree...just to have a little bit of Christmas with us despite all the chaos of moving and packing. I always love decorating the tree. There is just something so magical about the Christmas season blossoming before your very eyes, coming together with family, listening to Christmas music, drinking some hot chocolate. Aaah. 

 Andrew kept playing this little trumpet Christmas tree ornament. How silly.

These two were inseparable. They even decorated the tree together.

 Brooklynn and Daddy.

 Gabby kept looking at the tree like, "What is this DOING in here? We're not outside!" It was pretty funny. 

Saturday Afternoon

Look at this! I told you I'm slowly winning Andrew over...very slowly. But I'll take it.

 Check out my sweet turkey tattoo that Adeline drew on my hand. 

 She liked it so much she made herself a matching one.

Christmas Tree Farm

Off to the tree farm again! For the last few years we've gone to this same tree farm after our old one closed down. We've had really good luck here. 

The kids are immediately excited once they see the HUGE blow up Santa.

Did I mention Brooklynn kept hugging Adeline ALL WEEKEND? Well...she did. It was precious.

 

 Cousin shot (minus Gabby)

 What a cute shot of Brooklynn with her Aunt Charity

 Adeline was a trooper since she didn't feel good. She hung out most of the time on this wagon.

 But she did get a little snuggle time in with Uncle Josh

 Aunt Erin got lots of wrestle time

 This was going to be our Christmas card picture...but alas we haven't sent it yet so we'll take a different one.

 Brooklynn's nest

 My girls (Don't worry, Gabby was snuggly in the wrap under my Peek-a-ru most of the time and just took a quick photo op.

 Bean Cousins by the trees

 Our little angel

Brooklynn kept pretty busy pulling the wagon around. It was pretty tricky over all the roots and stuff...but she insisted.

This tree took especially long to cut down. So much for leaving early for the tree farm. (Although I tried to tell everyone that it takes this long EVERY year.) At least it was fairly warm out.

Notice the blue trunk...it was very sappy...and the home of SEVERAL mice. Poor guys.

 Time to go home...but not before we tackle Uncle Josh some more. (And Daddy)