Elmo, popcorn and nailpolish...

Both Delaney and myself have been sick all weekend with colds, so there's not much to report on our end. We did venture out to downtown Carmel to have Izzy meet Santa. We practiced the entire wait what she'd say to Santa - that she wanted an Elmo doll for Christmas. She was so excited...until the door to the house opened and we had to walk in. Um, let's just say she was NOT happy and wasn't able to tell him her Elmo desires. I don't have a picture of it, yet! We're picking up the picture at a local studio this week and I'll be SURE to post it ASAP. Anyway, here are some cute pics of Izzy...

Izzy loves to push her lovies around in her stroller (Dora and Monkey).
Just a cute pic of Iz wearing her Elmo sweatshirt

This is what Izzy looked like today after she woke from her nap (check out that hair!). She was watching the Colts game with her daddy. Notice her recent obsessions: popcorn and nail polish. This week the nanny painted Izzy's nails and toes...and then let Izzy reciprocate. Mike told me he saw the nanny's fingers and hands were covered in pink polish. I asked if he offered her some nail polish remover...to which he replied, "She didn't ask." Um, and you didn't think to offer it?! Poor girl. She's a keeper.

Candy Cane Hunt, Friends & Pasta...

This weekend the girls and I spent at home without Mike...whom was down in Evansville for an alumni swim team reunion. We had one thing planned to do: Candy Cane Hunt with Jaime & Luke! Turns out it was a lot more hassle than it was worth, as it took me almost 40 minutes to get all three of us girls ready and out the door, for the Hunt to only last only 15 minutes. Phew. It was a lot of work for a 6 month pregnant gal and myself (who was trying to push a stroller with a 3 month old through a field)! Fortunately, the Monon Center had different areas for each age group and there were HUNDREDS of candy canes to hunt for. However, try telling two 2 year olds to run through a field and collect candy canes in 25 degree weather (read: they were bundled up so tightly and had mittens on...so they could barely bend over to get the canes, let alone grab them!). It was hysterical. Yet another reason I love Jaime...we just stood there laughing our tails off!!! P.S. Izzy threw one of the biggest temper tantrums I have ever seen; it took me at least 10 minutes to get her buckled into her car seat...Jaime had to take over b/c I was so pooped from trying to wrestle her. Gotta love 2 year olds!

Grand Roo sent an awesome holiday package that included tons of ornaments for our tree, a Santa hat and a jingle bell musical toy. Izzy thinks she is so cute running around the house jingling the bells and wearing her hat shouting, "Ho, Ho, Ho!"
The two tykes bundled up

Izzy was so confused

Jaime and I ended up picking up most of the candy canes and filling the kids' bags
Not a great picture, as Santa was in a big hurry and rushing us

Molly paid us a visit after the hunt and got to snuggle on Delaney

Tonight was pasta night and Izzy LOVES her some pasta!

She really does love it...this is her KISSING her pasta. So cute.

Tree decorating...

As per our usual post-Thanksgiving tradition, we put up our Christmas tree this weekend. I was not super fired up about doing this, as it entails bringing up boxes from the basement (Mike's job) and digging through to find the ornaments that tickle my fancy this year (read: make a mess!). With having a toddler in the house, I feel like I'm constantly picking up...and this task would mean more picking up and organizing! But we ended up doing it and were happy we did. Izzy had a great time "helping" and I think Delaney LOVES the lights.

Izzy helping daddy find the lights that work
Izzy thought it was funny to actually WEAR the stockings (she found a box of old items and I let her do as she wished)

Izzy helping to decorate...we put a lot of kid-friendly ornaments at the bottom that she has since taken off, kissed, and put back on. Over and over again.

And of course the girls had to look up at the lights from below. It's become a tradition of ours.

Delaney spent some time under the tree admiring today
The finished product

Just a random picture...I tried bathing both girls together last night. Was not an easy task, but was different and fun for us. I'm looking forward to when Delaney can actually sit up and take a "big girl bath" in about another 3 months!

Thanksgiving in the Fort...

Mike, Delaney & I drove up to Ft. Wayne Wednesday afternoon to celebrate Thanksgiving with his dad & step-mom...and to reunite with our Izzy Lou!!! Izzy was spoiled rotten and had an amazing time with her grandparents...I don't even think she missed us! She slept in a tent (indoors, of course), which she thought was just the best. She giggled every time she had to go in there, as her lovies were in there and her books and her flashlight...a girl could get used to that for naps and nighttime! Anyway, we had a great time visiting, although it was short. I had to get back to Indy to work on Black Friday. It's our biggest sales day of the year and I volunteered to work. Let me tell you, it feels good to be back at work. I get to sit down. I get to go to the bathroom without 2 year old eyes watching me. I get to work out at lunch. Heck, I get to go OUT to lunch! Ask me again in 6 months if I feel the same way, though :)

Izzy snuggling with daddy. Notice her lovie is swaddled.
The twins surprising Grandpa

Mike, Izzy & Grandpa Bob

Grandma Laura, Izzy, & Grandpa Bob

Playing with baby Laney

Aunt Aimee snuggling with Delaney

Thankful for friends...

Mike and I are transplants: neither of our families live in Indianapolis. The vast majority of our friends are in the same boat...so we tend to rely on each other for a variety of things throughout the year. Sometimes we are traveling all over the country to celebrate the holidays (from Lake Tahoe to Boston, in fact!). And sometimes we are all in our own homes for the holidays. This year Jason & Sandi invited us over to their home to celebrate the season. How wonderful it is to have such good friends and be thankful for the adopted families we have in Indianapolis. Thank you, Morses, for hosting a special evening with delicious food!

Kids' table
Adult table

Sandi, Mike & a sleepy Delaney

Rick & Christopher

Minus One...

As mentioned last week, Izzy went to stay with her Grandpa Bob & Grandma Laura for a few nights (Sunday-Thursday), which left us home alone with Delaney! The house was VERY quiet. Well, at least in the evenings it was quiet. Mike battled our very stubborn Laney girl to take a bottle. Monday she went 11 hours without eating. Tuesday she gave in and took two bottles from Mike. Wednesday, she held out again. Thank goodness Thursday was a holiday! And then Friday Mike had both girls at home and was begging me to come home (to feed Delaney...and most likely to relieve him!). We have one strong-willed little girl on our hands. Wonder where she gets that from?!? Anyway, we sure did enjoy having one-on-one time with Delaney last week. Here are a few pictures of her super-smiles!

Funsters at Mardi Gra

Last night was our final Funster event of the year and it did not disappoint! Mike's dad came in town to watch the girls so we could enjoy a night out. This event was planned by the Bowdens and they kept it a secret until we got to our destination: Zydeco's in Mooresville. This is a cajun restaurant that has all Mardi Gra decor - a place like nothing we have in Indy. We enjoyed a pitcher of a drink called Hurricanes, Mardi Gra beads around our necks, Jumbalaya, crawfish, ettouffe and many other creole dishes. The food was delicious and we all laughed so much...was such a special evening with special friends. Here's to another great Funster year in 2010!

Molly, Adam, Mike, Kelly, Clay & Maggie (we missed the Allens that couldn't make it from Cincy)