Celebrating Christmas with friends

Every year we celebrate Christmas with the Herrig's. Jen is off from work over the holidays, so when the kids are out of school we get together for a day of fun! Madison, Ana, and Kelly have always played really well together....even though they are a little older than Kelly. This is the first time Molly and Myles really played together too!!! Jen and I had a day to catch up while the kids played. It was a nice finish to all the Christmas celebrations.

Myles (2.5), Madison (8), Kelly (4.5), Molly (2), Ana (6.5)

All the kids with their presents!!!!

Kelly showing off her Mermaid Island Aqua Sand, Build a Bear Silly Bandz, and Polly Pocket 75 piece set. (she got two presents because Jen is her godmother)

Molly showing off her Little People Fairy Treehouse.

The big girls wanted to play outside in the snow.....they were out there over an hour.....

....while Myles and Molly played Little People in Molly's room.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Day after Christmas (Snyder Christmas) - Round 4

We celebrated Christmas with Grandma Pat, Papa Tom, and Uncle David on Sunday. It was a relaxing day at home....as they all came to our house. The girls opened there presents mid-morning, we ate lunch a little after noon, and the adults opened presents after our meal. Molly was so tired after the previous three days (as she only slept the drive to Dubuque everyday) that she fell asleep on my lap before we ate! She then took a 3.5 hour nap! While the adults opened presents (WE GOT A ROOMBA!!!!!).....Kelly enjoyed playing with her new Leapster Explorer that she got that morning from Grandma and Papa Snyder. It was a nice end to our Christmas celebrations!

Molly sitting in her new chair by Grandma Pat!
We have always said Molly takes after Brian's side more....especially Grandma Pat. Molly has ALWAYS loved chairs (just like Grandma)....so it was perfect that she got her own chair for her room from Grandma and Papa Snyder.

Molly lovin' her new chair.....she didn't get out of it the entire time we were opening presents!

All comfy in her new chair!

The chair was the first present Molly opened (Molly picked the present....and this one was in the biggest box AND wrapped in Elmo paper)......and all presents after were opened while she was sitting in her new chair!

Molly got her OWN flashlight! No more fighting over the cow flashlight that Kelly has! :) Now Molly has a unicorn of her own!

Molly got a laptop doodler from her godfather David.

Molly watching closely in her chair as Kelly opens presents.

Kelly got a Leapster Explorer, a game, and a carrying case!

Kelly was excited to get her second Lalaloopsy doll.

Kelly made a holiday door hanger for Uncle David.

Kelly giving Grandma and Papa the two girls ornaments.

Molly asleep.....the holidays are tiring!

Daddy showing Kelly how to use her new Leapster Explorer.

This is how Kelly sat for a few hours.....

All three "boys" got remote control helicopters....

....and they flew them around our house!

Boys will be boys!

The helicopters provided LOTS of laughs....and Kelly and Molly loved chasing them around too. Kelly has asked Daddy a couple times at home to fly his helicopter because she likes it too!

Sledding fun!

Over the few days the Mulgrew family was in Dubuque......the three older kids - Ben (5), Kelly (4.5), and Daniel (3) found time to go sledding at Grandma and Papa Murray's house too. They had a lot of fun sliding down the "big" hill! (Molly still isn't interested in sledding or being outside in the cold.....she might get that from her mom!)

Kelly's all smiles on her sled!

Go Kelly go!

Kelly & Ben dragging their sleds back up the hill.

Ben & Kelly sledding together!

Christmas Day (Murray Christmas) - Round 3

Christmas Day was spent celebrating at Grandma Peggy and Papa Michael's house. All four grandkids received LOTS of fun presents....and played really well together. Here are some of the highlights....

Our family

(Uncle Brian was making the girls GIGGLE)

Mulgrew family

(Baby boy number 3 is due in April)

Grandma & Papa with their four grandchildren

Grandma started by each grandchild getting a bag with five things.....

(DVD, vacation book, fun underwear, ornament, and one thing specific to them)

Molly got her American Girl Bitty twin doll for her birthday.....here she is walking "Sara" while Sara is wearing her new outfit!

Aunt Katie made both the girls pillowcases with their names.....Kelly's has Disney Princess and Molly's has little princess on it.

Kelly & Amy....wearing their matching tutu and headband outfits.

Kelly got a Rapunzel dress and a unicorn pillow pet!

(Yes, Kelly changed her outfit MANY times on Christmas)

Grandma and Papa with their ornaments of the girls.

My two girls playing with Molly's new baby highchair.

(She got the matching doll bunkbeds too)

The Mulgrew family gave Molly a baby and a backpack with baby stuff......here Molly is sorting through all of it!)

SANTA - Christmas morning

Santa once again found the Snyder house.....I guess Kelly and Molly both ended up on the NICE list! Christmas morning started out a little crazy for me.....as I was up at 1:00am getting sick. Kelly was up at her normal 6am......excited to see if Santa came! Santa didn't disappoint! Brian got Molly up, since I wasn't feeling great.....and she had soaked her Christmas PJ's....so he grabbed another pair......ducks! Oh well....no Christmas pajama picture this year! The girls enjoyed the morning opening presents from Mommy and Daddy and playing with the Santa gifts! We hope Santa found all your houses too!

Kelly went right to her Vtech Kidi Art Studio that Santa brought her.....she was VERY excited. She has always been our craft kid....and this art studio hooks up to the TV, takes pictures, paints, draws, has activities on it, etc. Great job Santa!

Molly got a Little People house and a doll double stroller from Santa!

Kelly got Rapunzel and her horse Maximus from Santa too!

Kelly was REALLY EXCITED to find this little box under the BACK of the tree with her name on it! Santa left her a REALLY SPECIAL present!

She was so happy to find a bell from Santa's sleigh......just like the little boy received in the Polar Express movie!

She truly believes in the magic of Christmas!

Kelly enjoyed opening her presents from Mommy and Daddy too....here she got a pop-art bead set.

Opening presents is so much fun!

Melissa & Doug cupcake set

Molly was excited to open her Abby bag.....as she has been eyeing it since it was put under the tree!

She was happy to find an Elmo piano book and an Abby Cadabby nursery rhymes book inside the bag!

Big Sister Kelly was always close by on Molly's turn to open her presnets.......she always wanted to help!

Molly showing Daddy her Dora guitar!

Daddy showing Kelly how to use her new art studio! Kelly was painting a picture of herself.

Molly playing with her Little People house. She LOVED her double stroller too....but I couldn't get a picture of her since I wasn't feeling like following her around the house while I was sick.