Merry Christmas!!

I got this outfit for Molly for Christmas because I loved the little cupcake hat and matching mittens. A tremendous waste, because after about two minutes of wearing them she figured out she could take the gloves off by biting them and pulling them off (she's not even one yet!) which freed her hands to remove her hat. Oh well.

Molly's favorite gift was this little piano. It makes the most noise. :) If you push this one button it plays different songs, and this girl loves to boogie. So it was perfect.

This was Ella's big gift this year. I think I was as excited about it as she was! Unfortunately, after the first few minutes she proceeded to unload all the furniture out of the dollhouse and commence play on the ground. I think we could have saved ourselves $50 by forgetting the house and just buying the furniture.

I kept trying to force this present on Molly because I thought she would love it... She was much more interested in her sisters presents, though. We spent most of the morning trying to keep Molly out of Ella's dollhouse. Let the battles begin!

I just thought this was the cutest picture. This is Ella's "best friend" Kate. They came over on Christmas Eve. Ella had just given her a little present that she had picked out for her, and they were both very excited about it!

Wow, I can't believe that Christmas is over already! This season went by sooo fast. But we had a wonderful holiday. It was very relaxing. It was just nice to be together as a family. The girls had a great time. Today we were at the store making the customary day after Christmas exchanges, and Ella was still saying, "Can I get this for Christmas, Mom?" I can't really blame her, we talked about it for months, and then its over in a day!

The Smith Gingerbread House Competition

Yesterday we started our 'Twelve Days of Christmas' by decorating gingerbread houses. It was so much fun. Even Todd had a great time. But nobody had as much fun as Ella. She did a great job. She kept on working about 15 minutes after Todd and I had finished. I thought she would spend most of the time snacking on the decorations, but she didn't. She was 100% focused on decorating her house. And I have to admit, her house looked the best for it!

Todd's mother and grandmother came and visited this weekend also. It was a lot of fun. Ella loves having her grandparents around. So we were able to get a 4 generation picture that I had to share.

I've Been Tagged

Okay, here goes!

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.

B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.

C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. Fact: Since the holidays are upon us, I figure it is only fitting to share a holiday fact. I know that decorating the Christmas tree is supposed to be a fun family activity, and it always was when we were growing up. But not in our house. I'm afraid that Todd (or anyone else for that matter) will mess up the exact placing of the ornaments. Each color needs to be so far from another ornament of that color. Todd also has a box full of wonderful ornaments that he got growing up that I refuse to let him put on the tree because it doesn't match my color scheme. I know, its awful.

2. Habit: I've had this habit for as long as I can remember. Whenever I am talking on the phone for any length of time, I doodle. Any paper within arms reach is at risk. In fact once when I was in high school I got banned from talking on the phone in my dad's office because apparently I doodled all over some important documents of his. Oops.

3. Fact: I hate Valentine's day! Okay, I'm probably not the only person that feels that way, but I really really do. I think I always build it up so much in my mind before the day comes, that when the actual day comes, it never fails to disappoint. Usually Todd ends up having to go to work, or staying late when he wasn't supposed to, or something like that. Maybe that day is just bad luck. Maybe I should start celebrating Valentines day in August.

4. Habit: Okay, maybe I shouldn't admit this, but for a long time I had this thing for Days of our Lives. Don't ask me how it started, I don't really know. But I had to be home by 1:00 to watch it every day. It was kind of my unwinding time. I luckily cut that habit, but even now if I happen to be home at that time and the girls are napping, I still watch it every once in awhile. :)

5. Fact: I love reading cooking magazines. Todd thinks it is really weird, but I can't get enough of them. I currently subscribe to 4 different magazines, and I can't wait for them to come. I read the whole thing, front back. Then when I am finished, I go back through and write a list of all the recipes I want to try. Oh, thats another fact. I love making lists.

6. Habit: I have to smooth out the sheets and comforter on my bed perfectly before I can sleep. I can't sleep in a bed unless everything is in its place. Which is ironic, because Todd is the exact opposite. It drives me nuts. I am constantly instructing him on how to smooth out his side of the bed before we go to sleep. Wow, I think I am a little bit of a control freak.

Okay, well there it is. I hope you learned a little something about me. Since I think that everyone I know has already done this tag, I will let it die with me... unless you are reading this and it somehow missed you, please take this as your invitation. You've been tagged!