Santa Bus....

Every year the santa bus goes through our neighborhood streets honking their horn the week of Thanksgiving. This is something the city of Grain Valley does and we love it! I think Ben and I get more excited than the kids do! lol! This year I had a friend tell me in advance when they were coming so were a little more prepared than last year. Thanks Tricia! We have been talking to Alivia a lot about Santa and she can say his name really well and then ho, ho!! She wasn't too sure about him but didn't cry at all!! We will see how our visit at Bass Pro goes!! Happy Holidays everyone!

Smiling with Mommy and Santa! Mrs. Claus got up so Mommy could sit down!

I don't know about this...

The cute santa bus!

Cheese!!! I can't believe I actually got her to smile. Grammy made that skirt for her. LOVE IT!

Serious look...

Ornery cheese...

Playdate with Ashley, Matthew and Riley

Alivia and Matthew haven't seen each other for a couple weeks so Alivia was super excited that Matthew and his baby sister, Riley were coming over today. Of course, I was super excited to see Ashley too! The kids are at such a fun age because they giggle and play together. It is too cute!! Here are a few pictures from this morning. Baby Riley, I am so sorry we didn't get any pictures of you this morning. We will promise to get some pictures of you next time. We love you very much!! :)

Alivia kept telling Matthew to "Come on!" This is her new favorite phrase. We thought that were too cute sitting in Alivia's chair together. Aren't they going to be a cute bride and groom someday??

Riding in the car together!!! I was amazed that Alivia let him in the car with her! LOL!

Funny faces...

Watch out! This is my girl! :)

Kisses...

Matthew's turn!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the Richeson's and the Stewart's. We are so blessed to have such wonderful families! We have so much to be thankful for. We hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving. :)

Reading a book with Grandpa Terry

Playing with Brooke- our beautiful niece-Alivia's cousin

Richeson Family

Playing with Tara- our other beautiful niece-Alivia's cousin

Being ornery...

Brooke put make-up on Alivia. She thought it was so cool!

Make-up time! Look at those eyelashes!

Smiling with Grandma Mary

Alivia got a Thanksgiving gift...Santa Little People!

Her Uncle Phillip....serious face!

She LOVES her Uncle Phillip so so much!

Favorite banana popsicles with Papa!

Coconut pie with Grammy...

Our family! :)

Christmas Tree...

Since Ben and I have been married it has always been a tradition to put the Christmas tree up the day before Thanksgiving. This year was especially special because Alivia LOVED helping and was so excited. This is definitely going to be a special Christmas!! Hope you enjoy the pics...

Carrying the stand...

Thinking she is supposed to help with the lights!! :(

Smiling with Daddy!

Playing in the boxes...

Her new cheese face...

YEAH!!!!

Looking under the tree with Daddy!

Ornament time!!

So careful....

Decorating her tree with her ornaments for her room!

Christmas Lights Are Up!!!

Ben woke up Saturday morning and decided to put the Christmas lights on the house. He also decided to do red and white this year so he had to individually screw in each bulb...what a great guy!! He also added candy canes and trees this year. He worked so hard at getting all of the wires to work and as most of you know he is quite the perfectionist so it had to look perfect!! :) Alivia was so excited to pose in front of the lights. Great job Daddy! We can't wait to put up the Christmas tree and the rest of our decorations Wednesday night. This has always been my favorite time of year for so many different reasons but the main reason is spending time with family. This morning as we were driving to church we were singing Christmas songs in the car since 10.2.1 always starts the holiday songs early and it just reminded me of how much I LOVE this time of year. It makes it just that much more magical with Alivia now in our lives. We are so blessed!

"CHEESE!"

Daddy's girl!!

Still posing....

Kisses...

Finished product!!!

Alivia's First Haircut....

Today we had Alivia's hair cut for the first time. We are very fortunate in that a very good family friend has cut our families hair for a long time so we were so excited for Jo Ann to be the one to do it. Alivia wasn't too sure about the whole process and wouldn't even eat a sucker while her hair was cut but she never cried, just kind of had a serious look the entire time! We just had a little cut off in the back so it wouldn't look like a mullet anymore, he, he! She still has her little curls in the back but now it is straight across instead of at a v angle! ha! She is growing up so so fast! Thanks Jo Ann....we love ya!

What is going on??

Look how long it is in the back when it is wet....

Trying to give her a sucker but she wouldn't do it!! She LOVES suckers so this was a first!

She liked looking in the mirror with Mommy!

Still not quite sure but sitting so nicely! Half of her curls are gone...:( But it looks so much thicker now!

Alivia's first curls for he scrapbook....:(

Her new hairdo!! :) No more mullet!!! Look how much thicker it looks!

Uncle Phillip Surprised Us...

Saturday night Ben and I were getting ready to go to our friend's birthday party when there was a knock on the door.....it was Uncle Phillip! He surprised us coming home from college for the weekend. We haven't seen him since the summer so we were so excited and Alivia is so good at saying Uncle Phillip now. She loves him so much. As soon as he came in she followed him everyone and said, "Come on" so he would take her everywhere. It is too cute. We decided to stay in and spend some time with Uncle Phillip and then Sunday we had chili and watched the Chiefs game with the entire family. It was a wonderful weekend!!

She LOVES playing with Uncle Phillip...

Our little Chiefs Cheerleader!!

Trying on Uncle Phillip's shoes!!

So into his phone...

Trying to get her to smile for a pic...yeh right!

Putting her bow in Uncle Phillip's hair...he, he!