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.