A Trip to the Dentist

Scott and I finally got around to making dental appointments here in St. Louis and I took Millie along with me for mine.  She was VERY excited to go and loved watching me get my teeth cleaned.  Luckily I was a good patient (no cavities -- yea! and I'm happy to say I did NOT inherit the Ross teeth, though I did get my mom's gums which will have to be looked at by a periodontist...) and the hygienist had a lot of patience :).  Millie literally got right up in my face to watch the cleaning process.  When I was done, she got to go for a 'ride' in the chair and get her teeth counted.  She'll get to have her own cleaning at our next visit this summer :).

Snow

These videos that Christian shot of us playing in the snow Christmas Eve crack me up so I thought I'd put them on here to preserve them for years to come :).

Dance Party

Love

A Few of My Favorite Things

We have been settling into our post-Christmas life today -- trying to get the house back in order and getting back into our regular routine.  We had a WONDERFUL Christmas, the best yet I think.  The girls made the whole day so much sweeter than it already was and we really enjoyed sharing all of our family traditions with them and building a few new ones.  It was a very full day that started with presents at home followed by a simple breakfast, some play time with new play-dough and then off to Grandpa and Lainie's.   We enjoyed our big Christmas breakfast -- including my dad's famous caramel roll, opened more presents, decorated Christmas cookies, played with lots of new toys, visited with cousins, played more, colored, read books, ate Christmas dinner, put the girls down for the night and even got a little grown-up play time in.  Did I mention it was a very full day?  It couldn't have been better though. Every gift the girls received was opened with joy and love and instantly examined/played with/worn.  Nothing stayed in its original packaging long.  Not surprising with all the activity, we took nearly 100 pictures yesterday -- here are just a "few" of my favorites!

"Twas the Night Before Christmas

The girls are both cozy and asleep for the night, Scott and I got to enjoy some quiet time alone reflecting on the magic of the season.  This Christmas has been particularly enjoyable as both girls are old enough to participate in all of the activities and Millie even *mostly* understands what it's all about.  She definitely understands the present part!  We enjoyed a great Christmas Eve at my parents house.  The girls got to help Grandpa make up the traditional caramel rolls for Christmas breakfast, open a few early gifts from Lainie and Grandpa and one from Christian, play in the snow, watch Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas, color lots of pictures, play with Christian and eat lots of good food.  It is such a blessing to be near family all the time, but it is especially wonderful at the holidays (and not just because it is only a 15 minute drive home, though that certainly doesn't hurt!).  I can't wait until tomorrow when the magic will start all over again!

Christmas jammies and dresses from Lainie and Grandpa

Making the Christmas rolls

 rolling out the dough after the first rise

 adding the filling and rolling them up

Cinnamon Bear!  Thanks, Christian!!

 Merrill giving Santa some love :)

Coloring

back home, getting ready for Santa (and sleep!)

(yes, Merrill snagged a cookie for herself...)

 It's true, Santa really does come as soon as the kids are asleep :)  Scott and I were in the basement though and must have just missed him.  Sure would have liked to get a picture of him coming down the chimney!!  Maybe next year!

 All nestled in for a long winter's nap :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!!