We had a New Years Eve party at our house this year.  Thankfully I didn’t have to actually do any of the work (not only was I still recovering from my c-section, but I was also sick due to a staph infection, but that is coming in another post).  I did clean our house some, but for the most part Rich did most of the cleaning.  My mom and Ellie did the snack preparation and Matt made some delicious chicken wings for the party.  I didn’t even take very many pictures as I just didn’t feel good.

Hunter enjoyed his first New Years Eve  He was sound asleep when the ball dropped though.

Hailey had so much fun!  She had really been looking forward to seeing Aunt Ellie and Uncle Matt.

Hailey playing “Don’t Wake Daddy” with Aunt Ellie and Uncle Matt.

My dad… I can’t remember the name of the game and we didn’t actually play it, but we had fun calling out answers rather than playing by the real rules.

We all made it until midnight (except Hunter).  Hailey fell asleep about 2 minutes after the ball dropped.  It was a fun party… I just wished I had felt better.

Looks like Santa was at our house

Hailey was pretty happy to see the presents under the tree!

(I was happy because Hunter did two 3 hour stretches of sleep the night before!  His Christmas present to me.)

Hailey passed out all the presents.  She enjoyed making her pile of presents.

Hunter was not sure what to think of his presents.

Hailey opening some of her presents:

Lalaloopsy doll

Strawberry Shortcake Bitty Market

UDraw for the Wii

Barbie Townhouse

Then it was time to go visit the grandparents.

Hunter all ready in his Christmas outfit.
He was too tired from all the excitement from the morning fun to keep his eyes open.

Hailey all ready in her Christmas outfit.

Hailey really loves her little brother.

First we went to Rich’s parents’ house.  I didn’t take any pictures but Hunter got to meet all of his aunts and uncles on Rich’s side that he hadn’t met yet.

Then we went to my parents’ house for a yummy dinner and more presents.

Hailey was pretty excited about getting a Happy Napper

She also loved her new Polly Pockets toy

Hunter, Hailey and Brooke

Hailey and Pa played hide and seek- Hailey hid in the wrapping paper.

Pa’s turn to hide

Story time

We had a wonderful Christmas!!

Christmas Eve was a busy day this year.  I had so much to get done in between Hunter wanting to eat every hour, regular every day stuff and making sure everything was ready for Christmas.  Rich was sick with the stomach bug so he couldn’t do anything to help with everything I needed to get done.

Hailey had been waiting to make cookies for Santa, so that was one thing I had to make sure we got done:

Mixing up the dough

Rolling it out

Putting frosting on the cookies

Then it was time to head to Aunt Winnie’s house for Christmas Eve.  I was still not allowed to drive because of my c-section and Rich was too sick to go, so my dad had to come over and drive us.

Hailey was so excited to get the Lite Sprites Tree of Lite

We had a nice time at Aunt Winnie’s house.  I didn’t take many pictures though.

When we got home it was time for Christmas Eve presents- new pajamas and a new book.

Hailey and Aveena (her American doll) with their new matching pajamas.

Hunter in his new pajamas

Hailey picked out her 3 favorite cookies for Santa and left some egg nog for him

Hailey was so excited about Santa coming.  Every time she talked about him, her eyes would just light up with excitement.  It was so magical to see how excited she was.

We went to the mall over the weekend so Hailey could see Santa.  She told me she only wanted to see him if he was the real Santa.  She has seen the Santas who clearly have a fake beard on and she is not interested in seeing one of “Santa’s helpers.”  Fortunately it was the real Santa at the mall:

2011

I’m not sure how it happened, but I’m pretty sure that just last year this was how Hailey looked sitting on Santa’s lap:

2007

Apparently it’s actually been 4 years