St. Nicholas Day

We continued our tradition of celebrating St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6th. Mya had fun this year putting out her shoes that night before for St. Nicholas to fill, she even put one out for Tessa. The next morning she eagerly went to look in her shoes. Now her gift didn't fit in the shoe (St.Nicholas didn't bring any candy this year either) and when she looked inside her face was pitiful and she just looked at me "it's empty mom". Luckily I simply pointed out the gift behind it and all was well. I love this little tradition from my childhood and enjoy getting to carry it on with the girls especially now that Mya is getting older. Her are some pictures since Thanksgiving.

We were out in our meager snow fall and Mya starting playing with the snow. A few seconds later she started looking at her hands saying "aw cold aw this is why I need hand gloves" I started laughing one because it sounds like something I would say to her and two because what other kind of gloves are there?

Tessa and her favorite toy, She loves to chew...on anything really

Putting the tree topper on

Picture with Santa, Tessa didn't cry but was not at all sure about the situation

Beginning to decorate the tree

Mya opening her gift

After opening their St.Nicholas day gifts

Tessa's favorite thing is her toes she loves to play with them

Mya nursing her baby, she has been doing this since I had Tessa but I just now got a picture

Mya & Tessa

Mya

Thanksgiving with the Hoopes family

My sister Rachel and her family were able to come up to Chicago from West Virginia again this year for Thanksgiving. Mya had a blast with her cousins and we were happy to have them see Tessa for the first time. Dustin prepared the entire Thanksgiving meal and it was amazing! Mya loved having the "big kids" around and after they left kept calling them "my Zoe and Ian". While they were here we were able to go to the Adler Planetarium, the zoo and the muppet movie. All had a great time and I loved getting to visit not to mention having others around to help with the girls. I hope one day soon the family can all live closer together, it is hard having to go so long between visits.

Mya and our thankful tree. We filled out a leaf everyday with what we were thankful for. Mya's ranged from dresses to nursery to her family. Three year olds are great!

Mya and Ian building at the Adler Planetarium

Zoe, Ian and Mya goofing around

All of them at the zoo

Zoe and Mya at the Adler

Rachel, Zoe, Ian and Mya video chatting with Nana and Aunt Kambra & co.

Zoe, Ian and Mya

Tessa with a big smile, she loved having all the kids to watch

Mya with her turkey