Christmas Take Two

The Saturday after Christmas we traveled to Edwardsville for Christmas with Joe's family. The kids were in high spirits all day while reliving Christmas all over again. Here is Olivia with Grammy playing with her new paper dolls.


Ethan and Olivia receiving a music lesson from Grammy. Both love the piano, Grandpa Brett's trombone, and Uncle Brennan's guitars - these are basically seen as wonderful toys for them.

Present time! Olivia and Grandpa Brett opening gifts together.

Olivia and I looking at her new paper dolls (they were a theme this year!).

Ethan opening a new sand toy.

Again with the paper doll theme...Ethan's own version to play with. However, I still have a feeling that he will prefer Olivia's princess paper dolls and Olivia will then play with his new ones.

Fireman Ethan! Another theme this year...Ethan received fireman paper dolls, a firefighter uniform, and a fire truck - although not this one in the photo.

Olivia hugging her Mouse King Nutcracker given to her especially from Grandpa Brett. In memory of her first Nutcracker attendance this year.

Uncle David made it to Illinois from Colorado this year, just in time to play basketball with Ethan.

And here are 2 random shots of the kids and their new toys...Olivia and Ethan playing with the Star Wars Christmas figures on Ethan's new fire truck.

This teepee is actually Ethan's Christmas gift, but I could not convince him to pose in front of it for a picture, so Olivia provided me with a great shot.