Christmas Dresses

We got the girls some adorable dresses to wear on Christmas. As you can see, they're a nod to the girls' Norwegian & Swedish heritage. As soon as Mia got her dress on and took a look in the mirror, she lit up! She knew she looked especially pretty in her new outfit. (Guess I better get them more dresses...) Emma loved her dress too, but she had a hard time pulling her tights off - not as easy as socks.

Christmas Day was absolutely gorgeous, so we had an impromptu photo shoot in front of the house. Enjoy these photos of our beautiful girls. Mia is in white, and Emma is in red.

Our Family

Daddy with his Norwegian-American princesses, and Papa & Grandma

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was a blast! We'd talked to the girls about Santa's visit, but they didn't really know what to expect. They knew what he looked like and recognized him when we were out and about, but they didn't really understand what he did.

After watching a bit of Sesame Street in their playroom and letting the rest of the house wake up, we opened the doors and gates so they could run upstairs. We'd cleared the room out for maximum impact. There were several unwrapped gifts from Santa in front of the tree: a talking Elmo doll, personalized comfy chairs, a grocery cart, chalkboard and whiffle ball/tee. As you'll see in the video and photos below, the big hit was "ELMO!"

The girls' first peek at their gifts from Santa.

The chairs were also a hit. Their classroom at daycare has them, and I often find the girls sitting in them, looking at books. They also turned out to be fun climbing toys.

Mia hugs her buddy, Elmo.

Emma cracks up at Elmo's joke. He sings, dances, tells jokes and stories. What CAN'T Elmo do?

Mia looks like she's up to something! She's either clutching the chalk or singing into it.

Emma loads groceries into the cart.

Christmas madness!

The fam on Christmas morning: Mia, Mama, Daddy, Emma

Daddy's turn to be surprised and excited; Mama got him the new Beatles Rock Band game for Wii.

Uncle Pete and Papa eye Mia's new MagnaDoodle. She and Emma both loved that new toy (they each got one). Only problem was that Uncle Pete and Papa liked it too!

Meanwhile, Emma grabs Uncle Pete's new football.

Mia cozies up with a book.

Emma reads her new Christmas book to Daddy.

Mia shovels in leftover Swedish meatballs at the counter.

Emma wasn't so sure about the "new" guy, cousin Cary. She hadn't seen him in 6 months and clearly was a bit apprehensive. Look at that expression!

Daddy plays guitar, while Grandma sings a Beatles tune; their fans cheer!

More Rock Band fun. It's GAJ's (Great Aunt Janis') turn to sing!

Merry Christmas Eve

We had a lovely Christmas Eve Day! The girls were spoiled by Grandma and Papa in the form of attention and cookies. The girls love showing off for them and Uncle Pete, and giving lots of kisses and hugs.

Mia and Emma learn to cook Swedish meatballs with Grandma and Uncle Pete.

Emma can hardly contain herself!

Mia reaches for the cookie tin.

Grandma cooked the traditional Christmas Eve meal: Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes and gravy, and broccoli. The girls LOVED the meatballs! Emma liked the mashed potatoes too. No luck with the broccoli.

Family dinner

When we eat messy meals for dinner, we sometimes take the girls' shirts off since they refuse to wear a bib. Now, they like to take their shirts off on their own. They thought it was hilarious! Uncle Pete observed it makes it harder to tell them apart when they're dressed (or undressed) alike. Very true!

Emma neglects her big girl fork in favor of using her hands to scoop of mashed potatoes. She knows she's pretty funny, too.

Miss Mia

Emma points out Papa's nose.

Something is hilarious!

Cookie and milk (notice the big girl cups!) time for Mia and Emma!

After dinner, we watched "Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas." There is one particular song the girls love to sing and dance to. After watching that 3 times in a row, we put the girls to bed well past their bedtime, and they were very happy to rest their eyes.

Watching the show with Papa.

Emma bites her nails in anticipation of hearing her favorite song.

Family movie time.

Mia and Emma dance to Emmet Otter and his Jug Band.

We're very excited for Christmas morning! The girls are going to be so surprised! They know what Santa looks like, but they don't quite know what he does yet or why they should care.

Jack's Birthday Party

Birthday Boy Jack

The girls' friend, Jack, turned 2 last week! Grammy, the girls and I went to his party at the Mountlake Terrace community center. Jack had a whole huge playroom just for his party! The girls were very shy at first, and slowly warmed up over the time we were there. But they mostly stuck together and to Mom and Grammy.

It was interesting to observe them in this setting, as there were a few other kids and lots of adults they didn't know. Emma was a little more adventurous, but neither of them really interacted with the other kids, even Jack who they know. They definitely clung to what was comfortable.

Emma checks out the ball pit with the other kids. She was very adventurous!

Emma had fun throwing the balls.

Mia preferred the kitchen setting. She whipped up dinner for us.

The kids enjoy "naks" and cupcakes at the table. Clockwise from left: Linnea, Emma, Mia, Caden, Jack. (Maggie not pictured.)

The birthday boy and his super cute mini train cupcakes.

Double Trouble: Mia and Emma check out the playhouse with a bridge and slide.

Emma gets ready to slide.

Mia looks cool as she prepares to slide.

Best of friends.

Christmas Comes Early

We celebrated Christmas a little early with Grammy while she was in town.

Mia and Emma check out all the ornaments.

Their favorites were Elmo, Big Bird and Cookie Monster, of course. Looks like Emma spotted one in the tree!

Mia finds Cookie Monster!

Emma checks out the cool toy Grammy got her.

Mia very carefully opens a present.

Grammy gets help from the girls.

The scene.

Emma kicks back on the chaise while waiting for breakfast.

Mia and Emma "help" Daddy cook in the kitchen.

Emma gives Elmo a kiss. Mwah!

Mia shows off Big Bird.

Mia focuses on using her big girl fork.

Emma feeds Daddy some cinnamon roll.

The girls play with puzzles that Grammy brought them. They were Mama's when she was little.

The girls: Grammy, Emma, Mama, Mia