Tis the season....

to freak your freak on Santa.  Yet still manage to ask him for a book for Christmas.
And we'll try to ignore the judgmental little elves (aka - camera operators) who gave me a look when I told them we are all for crying pics so when (not if) Reese lost it, feel free to click away.   I mean isn't scaring little kids sh*tless what mall Santas are all about?

Life

on a Tuesday...

Happy Birthday Ella!

I find it very fitting that on Grant's mom's birthday, the best present a grandma could ask for is the obligatory grandchildren-with-Santa picture.  And oh so fitting that it couldn't depict our children any better than it does.....
Reese freaking her freak out (although she was polite and once safely in my arms waved goodbye and said thank you to Santa, granted she soaked his suit in tears and kicked the daylights out of his shins, but whatever). Ryan, on the other hand, was very quiet and sweet and proceeded to ask Santa for all the necessary paraphernalia she needs to accompany her scooter.....elbow pads, helmet, etc...
I digress.
Happy Birthday Ella!

5:30pm on a Tuesday

The opposite of happy....

I believe she was told not to climb on the table....such cruel living conditions she has to tend with

Open the flood gates....

Oh, little Ms. Drama.......trying to get a picture of Ryan and her sister, you would have thought I told her we were ridding our house of televisions.

 So for those of you kind enough to get the girls something for Christmas, please know I am not being rude by the delayed thank-you card for such generous items.  I would prefer send you all a cute pic of the girls as the card itself.   However, we have had a few issues:
A.  We were out of town for almost a week after Christmas (no excuse, but I'm using it anyway)
B.  Grant so kindly gave me Photoshop Elements for Christmas but I have yet to really learn how to use it, although I am adamant I use it to create my photo thank-you card - so bear with me until I advance past chapter 1 in my little instruction book and can actually take the online video tutorials
C.  The drama.  Can't get a nice pic of both girls to save my life (see below) and I'm not that advanced with Photoshop yet to just fake it and make one up
D.  At this rate, you will receive my thank-you card by Reese's first birthday

Reese thanks you though - she's always willing to sit and smile:

Side story - apparently Reese is Ryan's new pet dog.  I have heard her on a few occasions now saying "sit Reesey, sit...good puppy" and then patting her lovingly so on the head. 

Tantrums rock!

When we signed up for this parenting gig, we were forewarned that the terrible two's were something to watch out for......what we weren't told was how hysterical they are. Seriously, tantrums can be fantastic viewing. What adds to the enjoyment is how one can come out of nowhere over the SILLIEST things... Case in point:

Ryan was playing with paper plates, threw them all over the floor and her EVIL mother asked her to pick them up before she moved her tornado self onto her next victim. Ryan was not a fan of that request.