florida christmas

We arrived in Florida late afternoon on December 26 and started the Christmas celebration the next morning. Tyler was immediately stuck to the sides of his cousins or "friends" as he calls them. Jenna's two naps on Christmas Day now made sense as it was clear she now had a bad cold, but she managed pretty well. Both kids were simultaneously thrilled and terrified of Granny and Gramps's new dog Misha.

We also had a visit from Santa (aka, Justin's friend). Being that Justin's friend was the only black person in our group, Tyler quickly put two and two together and asked the friend when he returned if he was just pretending to be Santa. When we assured him that the friend had just missed seeing Santa, Tyler seemed convinced but I was shocked that he would put it together at four years old!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

jenna's first plane ride

It's off to Granny and Gramps we go. Florida or bust!

 

all the gifts and you end up in a box

Typical kid!

christmas is finally here!

Tyler wore his new santa skull PJs especially for the occasion. Both kids loved diving into their stockings. However, Jenna was a bit overwhelmed by all of the presents and hoopla; we ended up opening many of her presents for her while she colored contently. Although she was interested in checking out her new doll house before taking an early nap. Tyler's gift from Santa this year was an aircraft carrier, so cool!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

christmas eve

Oma and Uncles Dylan and Brian joined us for Christmas Eve. Dylan made peppermint bark brownies which both Jenna and Daisy coveted. Tyler selected two Christmas tree cookies, along with two strawberry suckers and some milk, for Santa to sample. By the looks of the presents under the tree, Santa was impressed with Tyler's cookies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

B&O railroad museum

The Campbells and Linsenmeyers headed to the train museum for a day of fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tomato

Jenna accompanied Daddy on a grocery shopping trip. She sat in the cart and helped find a place for all of the new items he handed to her. Until he handed her a tomato. She thought it was an apple and took a big bite out of the side. Surprise!

christmas cookie baking time

Tyler and Megan's favorite time? Christmas cookie baking time! Well, maybe it is actually Christmas cookie eating time. Tyler is an amazing baker's assistant. He helped move the cut cookies to the baking pan and then once cooked and cooled, I iced the cookies while Tyler picked the color of icing and shook on the sprinkles. The cookies looked almost as good as they tasted!

parade of lights

Our friend Lynne and her fiancé Craig hosted a party to enjoy each other's company and the nearby Annapolis Parade of Lights. This annual event features boats decked out with lights. We had to deal with some light passing rain, but it was well worth the unseasonably warm temperatures.

 

 

 

buckle up!

Jenna is fiercely independent at times and for the past few weeks she insists on buckling herself into her carseat. Click! And she has the cross belt locked. She then tries to pull up on the tightening belt. What a big girl already!

compliments

Tyler has learned the art of a compliment. This morning he told me how much he loved my necklace. Tonight he told me that he really liked my pink coffee cup. The cute part is how sincere he is; sweet as pie!

big waves

Jenna has a distinct wave that is simply adorable. Hand, hand, elbow, elbow. I'm so thrilled that I caught it on video since she usually gets shy when she sees the camera.

woot woot

I taught Jenna to woot woot after I call it out and now she has the raise-the-roof arm moves too! I can't help but giggle when she copies me.

pizza

Another new word!

cereal

Jenna had a special request for her mid-morning snack and amazingly I understood exactly what she said - CEREAL!

silly jenna

Jenna loves a good joke and has a great sense of humor. Who's hat is that Jenna?

 

advent calendar

The Campbells have started a new tradition, the Advent calendar. Tyler and Jenna love it! Tyler opens the boxes on odd days and Jenna on even days. Most days there are some small sweets inside, but sometimes there is a clue that points them in the direction of a small toy.

 

 

mannnn

On our way to Ms Debbie's this morning I said something like "oh, mannnn." Then from the backseat I hear a little girl's voice, "mannnn!" she would copy me each time I said it. Simply adorable!

favorite girl

Tyler said this morning, "Mom, you are my favorite girl in the whole world!"

wow

We picked out and put up the Christmas tree today. Jenna fell for the tree guy. Her behavior was both hilarious and a bit scary considering she's only one: she batted her eyelashes, giggled when he looked her way and even bent slightly and put her hands on her knees and smiled in an old-school pinup pose. At least she has good taste; even Alex admitted the guy was too good looking to be working at a tree shop.

Later that afternoon while Jenna was napping, Tyler and I added the white lights. When Jenna came down Tyler invited her to come see his tree. Her comment..."wowwww!"

 

 

 

gingerbread train

Uncle Dylan brought over a gingerbread train kit. Tyler loved it but didn't make it through the entire decorating process. Aren't the finished results so splendid?