Going Bonkers

Brent and I took Gracie, Jaden, Mason, Lucas and Kalyn (Brent's sister Brenda's kids) to Bonkers today. If you haven't ever been there, this picture doesn't really do it justice, but it gives you an idea of its size. This is just a shot of one wall...now imagine the same thing on all the other walls as well. It's a really fun place to take kids, but WOW...the volume is really something. We used to take Gracie to Bonkers in Quincy when we lived in Kahoka, but this was our first time at the Columbia Bonkers. It was a really nice facility. I think all of the kids really had a good time.

Gracie played hard the whole time we were there. In fact, when it was time to go her cheeks were fire engine red.

Yes, that's Gracie running wild on the upper level. Did I mention she was unafraid?!!!

Library Day

We are avid library fans. We got at least once a week to get new books. Ella is starting to get in on the action.

She loves books, and the minute I put her down, she hurries over to start pulling them off the shelf.

I love this picture. Ella looked so excited to see the "green" book. It sticks out farther than the rest because of its size, and she kept going back to it over and over.

Success! She finally got it off the shelf, but then didn't get to check it out because her big sister had no interest in it.

Gracie gets to pick out 4 books because she is 4-years old. That's our system. I guess in the next month she will get to start picking out 5 books.

Our library has a nice selection of movies you can check out, too. Ella is especially fond of the sound they make when they hit the floor. It's a big "no no" for her. So far, she hasn't learned her lesson.

Christmas In Moberly

Ella was a little overwhelmed by the size of one of her presents. It was almost taller than her.

Ella is obviously not bored by wrapping paper yet, even though this was her third Christmas.

Brent was trying to brainwash Ella into be a MU fan by letting her wear his new hat.

Brent helped Ella set up her farm. She likes all the animal sounds it makes.

Never mind the fancy toys...Gracie was probably most excited about a new coloring book she got.

Polly Pocket is one of Gracie's new favorite things. Thank you, Beaverson's!

Ella took it upon herself to help Uncle Dana open one of his presents

Ella's new toy got her all excited. She loves balls, and you put balls in this animal and they come out various holes. It's pretty cute Thanks again, Beaverson's.

The bow on Ella's back represents the fact that she was my best Christmas present this year. We have enjoyed having her so much, and she made Christmas even more fun.

Brent's mom gave us a Wii for Christmas, and my dad even got in on the action as we tried it out for the first time. Way to go, Grandpa!

Here's Brent giving Gracie her lesson on how to use the Wii. She has been a very fast learner and loves to play and try to improve her game each time.

Our little artist is also a big fan of the Blendy Pens she got from Grandpa and Nana. They really are pretty cool. I will admit that I played with them for quite a while.

Brent, Uncle Dana and Gracie tried out the Elefun game Gracie got. It was amusing to watch them trying to catch the butterflies in their nets.

Nana and Ella enjoyed a little quality time while everyone else was looking ridiculous playing the Wii.

Later Christmas Day

We left for Unionville after we opened presents at our house. We had a great lunch and then dug right in to opening presents with the Doolin clan.
Ever the princess, Gracie received two real tiaras. She has enjoyed wearing them when she dresses up in her princess dresses.

I love this picture of Kalyn and Gracie. They are such good friends and enjoy having each other to play with.

Gracie didn't mind modeling her new tiara. It really is quite pretty.

I couldn't resist posting this picture of Eric and Madison. It was a really fun day, and Eric's face shows that. We had some tears as it was the first Christmas without Brent's dad, but for the most part we stayed upbeat.

Mama got each of her female grandkids a necklace from Silpada. Gracie had the matching bracelet already, so she's turning into an accessory diva, I guess. She can put them on and prance around the house in her Silpada and her tiaras!

Ella woke up from her nap and was ready to tear into a few presents of her own.

Mama got Ella her own set of instruments. She really has enjoyed playing with them.

It's amazing how educational baby toys can be. This toy was really cute, and Ella will really enjoy it in a couple of months. For now, she just likes hear it make noise.

Ella got her big present unwrapped, and climbed on top of the box. She then looked around like that was exactly what she was supposed to have done. It was just a bonus that there was a really fun toy inside the box.

One of the rare times I'm in a picture, and I have to look crazy! Actually, this is a game that Gracie received for Christmas. She loves it and we have to play it daily. You hold a card up to your face and figure out what you are by asking yes and no questions. You can also play it in a charades fashion and act out what you are. It's a really good game for kids Gracie's age.

Christmas Morning at Home

We have tried to start a new tradition these last two years. In the past, we always went to either Unionville or Moberly on Christmas eve so that we could spend Christmas morning with our parents. We switch off years being at either the Doolin or Self home on Christmas and Thanksgiving. This year was Christmas day at the Doolin's. Back to our tradition though...we now stay home until we have opened our presents on Christmas morning and then travel to our families. It makes for a little rushing around to get where we need to be by lunchtime, but it's nice to have those few hours together at home to enjoy watching our girls open gifts and play with their new things.

Ella did a fine job jumping right into the Christmas festivities. She certainly didn't understand everything going on, but she quickly realized she enjoyed unwrapping presents, making a mess with the paper, and pushing the boxes around. The slide Ella is standing by was her present from Santa. Her babysitter has one, and Ella enjoys it, so we thought she might like one at home since she is only at Gena's two days a week. It worked out nicely for Gracie also, since she still likes Little Tykes slides.

Here is a fine example of Ella simply playing with wrapping paper that was lying on the ground. Great gift idea!

Gracie loves all things pretty, so she was thrilled to get a wedding day Barbie. She already talks about her wedding and what the dress will look like. YIKES!

Ella would leave the slide for a while to explore other things, but she always came back to it. She's trying to figure out how to do it without assistance.

Gracie had been wanting an American Girl doll, but I think Santa thought Target's version was just as cute! She honestly didn't even know the difference, so she was quite happy!

Gracie and Ella tackled their stockings first thing this morning. Ella appeared to know what to do, even though this was a new concept for her. Gracie thought it was particularly funny that Santa put new underpants in the bottom of her stocking. Ella was just glad to see some snacks in her stocking. She's our little eater!

A Snowy Day

Today was a perfect snow for getting our sled out and enjoying the hill in our back yard. I stood on the deck and took these photos of Gracie and some of the neighbors sledding down our hill. When we bought our house we knew it would be a great hill in the winter, and we were right! Gracie loves sledding down it a few times, but then she's content to just watch everyone else slip and slide down the hill.

Gracie is standing on the left in the green coat. She was tired of sledding by this point.