This holiday season we found ourselves in Michigan for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Lillie thought it was a hoot celebrating Christmas at Thanksgiving which we did this year since Uncle Kevin could not make it home for Christmas. Hey Kev, I don't blame you, really. Hmmm... 75 and sunny in Malibu or 20 and snowy... ;-). Pat and I and the other siblings exchanged gifts and had a good 'ole time. I witnessed my first-ever Snuggie given as a gift. Thankfully, I was NOT the recipient...and the winner is... Meghan! (See picture below)
Patrick and I then celebrated our 10 year (eek!) anniversary by ditching, oops, I mean letting Grandma B. watch Lillie and Charlotte for a couple of nights. We headed over to Holland, MI and stayed at the City Flats Hotel which was pretty cool. It is the first LEED certified hotel (aka eco-friendly)in the midwest. Very modern and very quiet at night which we found out the hard way. Who knew that the sounds of baby monitors could be so soothing. Of course, the kids were great for Grandma and Grandpa. It's true, they save their worst for the parents.
This year, Santa was quite good to the girls. It's nice that Lillie is at the age where she doesn't quite understand the "power" of Santa.
Mom: "Lillie, what do you want Santa to bring you this year?"
Lillie: "Hmmm. Maybe Play-Doh."
Mom: "Ok, are you sure?" (Knowing she has a gazillion tubs of Play-Doh untouched)
Lillie: "Well, maybe a little bracelet with one little pink heart on it. Yes, that's what I want."
Well, as easy as it sounds, I found myself out the weekend before Christmas looking for this bracelet. I have once again become acquainted with a little store called "Claire's". I am sure my future holds many, many, many more trips to this little gem that has (what I think) all the princess, Dora, Fairy, etc. things that little girls are sure to ask for. So, Santa delivered. Whew! Now I just have to prepare myself for next year when BOTH Lillie and Charlotte will have their lists ready...
We were lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa Hammonds here in Chicago for the days prior to Christmas; and an extra day thanks to an ice storm. The girls got an early Christmas which they thoroughly enjoyed.
Pat and I took the girls to the Country Club for brunch with Santa this year, too. Lillie would not come within 10 feet of him and Charlotte, well, let's just say Mom won (see below)and plopped her down on the big guy's lap. I kept telling Lillie how strange it is that Santa knew just what she wanted even though she didn't exactly tell him. Her reply "He sure is smart, Mom."
Here are some pictures summarizing our 2009 Holidays.
Lillie and her Gingerbread house
Meghan and her Snuggie
Kevin and Kristi
Lillie enjoying her guitar from cousin Wesley and backup singer, Emmie Grace
Merry Christmas, Lillie and Charlotte!
Grandma H. and Lillie
Mom and the girls at the Club
Santa meet Charlotte. Charlotte meet Santa.
A happier Charlotte
