Mason, Tara, Alexandria, Dani, & Ike: SANTA!!! He came to our house!

"SANTA!!! He came to our house, so wake up!" says Allie christmas morning at 8 AM. We have such nice children to sleep in even on christmas morning. This was our first christmas that my

children have understood and anticpated for. Back in September while looking through the toy section at KMart, Allie saw the dress up Princess dresses and has needed one ever since. She held it up to herself and comment that it was the prettiest dress she has ever seen. At that time she asked for the Sleeping Beauty dress, which is what Santa

brought her. Over the last few months though, it changed to "I want Cinderella's dress, no Belle's dress....etc." Thank goodness she was still excited about the dress she did receive. She also got a crown and jewels to go with it. Since christmas that dress has hung on a hanger for about 12 hours per day...during the night while sleeping. :) Allie also got a stuffed horse for christmas, which she named Will. Will was the first real horse she rode at Uncle Joe's house a few months ago. She is absolutely thrilled that this horse can sleep at the foot

of her bed at night. Of course Santa brought some books for my little reader. We can't have presents without books. Allie sure is a fun girl and I am so thankful that the simple things in life please her. She really didn't want anything else so Santa, although he would have loved to spoil her more cause she is such a "good girl", figured that he would bring only the very best presents. It was really fun teaching Allie about Santa this year. We watched a few of the christmas movies this year also and learned a few songs like Rudohof the nose red reindeer, which is my favorite to hear her sing. At school the kids did a little christmas program and sang a few songs I had never heard of before. It sure has been fun watching my Allie grow up and learn. She still is to clever even for me though!

Dani also enjoyed christmas this year, although I do believe she would have slept a while longer! She got an official Curious George stuffed monkey. When she openned the box she shouted GEORGEY! Then pulled him out and gave him a big huge. She got a Curious George book to go with him, and of course a few more books, as she is also a reader. Allie prefers to be read to, but Dani enjoys reading to George or herself. She always tells me, "Mom, I'll do it." I thought for sure we would have tears over the dress up clothes if Dani didn't get some, so Santa brought a treasure box of three different Princesses dress-ups; Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White. Although now she likes them and will wear

them, she really wasn't that thrilled and wouldn't even put them on at first. I guess that shows just how different kids really are. It really is a cute little box of clothes. Sometimes when they dress up, I'll call the girls by the name of the princess they are dressed up as...Dani doesn't like that and constantly reminds me, "I'm just Dani!" Dani's favorite gift was the toy camera that Santa brought. She takes pictures of EVERYTHING. Every page in a book, every person she sees, of course George, and so on. She has not grown tired of the camera. She does not like it when other people use it, and she does not want pictures of Allie. :) She is certainly her own girl! Dani's learned a few of the christmas songs this year as well. Her

favorite christmas movie was The Polar Express. She still asked to watch the show with the boy and the train. :) She also likes Frosty, but isn't too fond of the Reindeer. All in all we had an enjoyable christmas. We are very greatful for all the wonderful presents which we received. THANK YOU SANTA!! Also thank you to the Smith/Gann side who also were very generous to us this year. We missed you guys very much this year and hopefully 2009 will bring a visit from all of us!