A Visit with Santa!!!

The Batemans (Marlene Sullivan's Family) decided that it was time to renew an old tradition and have a big family Christmas party with Santa as a special guest. The party was great, and it was fun to meet everyone again. The highlight for the kids was when Santa came down the stairs carrying a bag of presents for everyone. Kenzie didn't know what to think, but Aby was right pleased and very excited to see the big guy. Each of the kids was given a present, and called up to sit on Santa's lap. Some kids liked this better than others. All in all the kids had a great time. Thanks to everyone who helped put it togeather.

Kenzie was not sure that she was ready to sit on Santa's Lap, but she did like opening the present with daddy later on. She was given a pretty scarf, and a set of colored pencils. Both have been put to very good use in the past week.

In complete TaLonnie fashion, my camara ran out of batteries just as soon as Aby got up to sit on the big guys lap. Ryan's brother Ken was kind enough to take some pictures for me, we just haven't had time to get them from him. So, as soon as i get them I will update and put those pictures up for you to see as well.

Aby's Pre-school program

Aby has been going to pre-school this past year, and they just did a small Christmas program. (I wish that I could show you some video clips, but I cannot figure out how to upload them.) Anyway back to the program, Aby and her class sang several Chistmas songs including Jingle Bells, Where is Santa, and Up On the house Top. She did great, and I was very proud of her for getting up in front of all the parents and not getting scared. She says that she was "very Brave like Karson."

Aby is the one that is hiding behind her "Santa" She loves this Santa and will constantly carry it around and ask "Where is Santa?"

Mckenzie turns 2!!

Mckenzie was very happy with the cake and ice cream part of the party. The only downside to her birthday was a very red runny nose.

Mom and Dad gave Mckenzie books (of course hello I am her mom) and a cool trycicle. She was more interested in the trycicle until we found the animal books.

Check out the grin for the trike!

Grandma Roundy gave Mckenzie "Winny Pooh" cards a coloring book, and some cool crayons! They have been the hit of the past few days.

Grandma Sullivan put all her presents into one giant bag, it was too funny and cute to watch Mckenzie fall into the bag and dig for her presents. Thanks grandma for the movies and the clothes and the toys.

Mom and Mckenzie at the start of the party. I would love to say that Mckenzie was so excited to be getting bigger, but she didn't really have any idea what was going on for most of the day. The first time she showed any excitement was when dad came home from the store with a balloon. You would have thought that he hung the moon. I am not sure that we needed to even have a party after that she was perfectly happy with the balloon. (oh well she got into the presents and was happy with them also.)

We had one other very big accomplishment..... on Friday December 1, 2006, Mckenzie went poop in the potty! She is really into sitting on the potty but doesn't really have a clue what she is supposed to do. It's just cool cuz big sister Aby sits on the potty. Needless to say I was very happy, and so was dad (we called him at work to let him know what happened.) There hasn't been a repeat performance yet, but I am hopeful to have her potty trained before the new baby comes in March.

We put up our christmas tree after Thanksgiving this year, Ryan had asked me to do a formal red tree instead of my usual mult-color tree. I said that I would as long as he helped with the lights (he must have really wanted the tree to be red because he did a lot to help with the lights.) It turned out great, Mckenzie and Aby had a hard time waiting until the lights were on to help with the ornaments, but they managed. When it was time to hang up the ornaments they were all energy even if it was 11:00 pm at night.

somewhat recent pictures

Kenzie and Aby can frequently be found reading books with eachother or me on the floor. They both love to read, and that makes their mom and dad very proud.

We found out this year that our front maple trees have big leaves that are great for jumping and playing in during the fall.

Aby playing in the leaves

Aby was learning to rake the leaves. This only worked until she started to play in them.

Mom Aby and Kenzie playing scarecrow dress up at the pumpkin patch.

Mom doesn't get all the fun check out dad!

I hope that ya'll enjoy the pictures I will have Ryan teach me how to download off of the camera so that I can give you the thanksgiving pictures.

Here we go everyone

I think that I have finally figured out what to do make this work. I am still working on pictures, but I am sure that will come a little bit later. The other problem is I am at mom and dad's house right now.
I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is over. I hope that everyone had a great day. Ours was great, we spent the day with the Sullivan family. The Christmas season is officially here, and I would just like to brag that my Christmas shopping is almost complete. I only have to get a few remaining presents for people. (I wish I was this prepared the rest of my life.)
To bring everyone up to date on our family, there are currently 41/2 of us. Ryan, TaLonnie, Abygail, Mckenzie, and baby. Ryan has almost graduated from college(he only needs to finish his last project, and he is almost done.) He is working for a company called Digital Draw Network (DDN) and loves it. I am happy for his job, because it allows me to stay home and be with my wonderful children. This has been such a blessing with my pregnancy. We don't know what the baby will be, but I have definatly been sicker with this pregnancy than the others (a boy maybe???) We will be happy with whatever we are blessed with. I am due March 8, 2007 but look for information at the end of Febuary. Aby is almost 4 and is every bit a little girl. She loves to play with dolls, and stuffed animals. She is very proficient at changing diapers (on dolls), and telling Mckenzie what to do. She is going to pre-school this year, and loves every minute of it. I think that if she could she would go everyday. Mckenzie will be 2 years old next week. I cannot believe how much she talks and plays. She is definatly a mommy's girl though, I am not sure how she will react when mom has the new baby. Kenzie also loves to play with dolls and other toys, she is slightly more daring than Aby, and keeps her on her toes. All in all most of the time they are best friends, which makes mom very happy.
That pretty much brings everyone up to date on our family. I will try and get some pictures of the girls posted as soon as I can.