The Nutcracker

We were able to use the tickets that Claire won to see The Nutcracker last weekend. We had great seats and the girls loved the production (well we ALL did!). It was really such a special time and a memory I'll always keep with me!

 Claire's winning picture was displayed on the plasma screens as you go into the Schuster!

 So neat seeing her name up on that screen!

 She liked seeing her name, too!

 A sweet moment between Grammy & Claire.

 Anna & Nuna waiting for the Nutcracker to start!

 Claire holding her program and ticket!

 We had fun looking at all the old Christmas window displays. My mom remembers going to Downtown Dayton when she was little to look at these. How neat!

 Before the show!

 These pictures are out of order, but this is as we were going into the theatre!

My big girls!

Coloring Contest

Grammy found a neat coloring contest sponsored by the Dayton Ballet. The winner would receive four tickets to see The Nutcracker at the Schuster Center with backstage passes. So, Grammy printed off the coloring sheet of the sugar plum fairy and had Claire color her using all sorts of art supplies including markers, pens, water colors, glitter and more! Claire really did a great job and her attention to detail paid off! She was the 1st place winner of the contest and went up against kids as old as 10 years old. We were all ecstatic when they called to tell us that she won. We were jumping up and down and screaming.... such an exciting moment and one that I will always remember! I am so proud of Claire and all her hard work! 

The "Masterpiece" as we now call it!

Our little artist!

Christmas Tea

One of my favorite Christmas traditions that we started three years ago, is our Christmas tea at Edith Mae's Tea Room. It makes it extra special that both grandmothers are able to go with us! Such a fun time!!! 

 The girls really love putting on all the hats and other fun accessories!

 The BIRTHDAY girl! Anna's 4th birthday was less than a week away!!

 Mmmm! The homemade food is delicious!

 So proper!

 The grandmothers!

 Group photo! 

Can't wait to go back next year!

Brookhaven Christmas

I was so excited that all the McDowells were able to make it to my Grandma's Christmas open house at her retirement community! I know she was so happy to have all of us there and show off her family to her friends! We had a delicious lunch in the dining room, got to listen to Christmas carolers, the kids were able to do crafts and decorate Christmas cookies, meet Santa, and just spend time together!

 Anna is still not sure of Santa (and we definitely don't encourage the love of Santa), but this is much better than years past when she screamed her head off!

Flag Bearer

So, Anna was picked to hold a flag at Cubbies in early October and since then Claire has been asking (more like pleading) to hold the flag. I kept telling her that she needs to sit quietly and raise her hand and soon she'd be picked. Well, yesterday was her big night! She got to hold the American flag and she was very pleased with herself! It doesn't take much, folks!

Special Times

We spent the day with Grandma McDowell yesterday! We especially enjoyed touring Brookhaven looking at the fabulous Christmas decorations they put up. The amount of decorations there was impressive. And of course, we love spending time with Grandma!

SNOW!!!

We had our first snow last week and the girls were ecstatic as they watched the snow flurries coming down (it was so cute to watch them!). So, I couldn't say no when they asked to go outside to play in it... even though it was a slushy mess out there and past their bedtime. Oh well, they're only little once and soon the snow won't be so magical for them!

Aullwood Farm

Last weekend when it was in the 60's outside and beautiful, we decided to enjoy the day outdoors at Aullwood Farm. We had so much much fun doing crafts, hiking, seeing the animals at the farm, and candle dipping!

We got a very informative and interesting lecture on honey bees before we dipped our beeswax candles!

The girls dipped three candles each and loved every second of it! And, Claire even got the best candle of the day award!

This is now one of my favorite pictures! LOVE it!!

Daddy & Anna on our hike!

Craft time!

Grammy helping Anna make an ornament!

Operation Christmas Child

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is making our shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. The girls had fun picking out toys, candy and toiletries for kids that wouldn't normally get Christmas gifts. It's not too late to help out Samaritan's Purse with a donation to help with the costs involved in shipping these boxes oversees or you can 'build a box' online and send it to a child in need. I really feel like it is a small, but powerful way to show God's love during the holiday season. Take a second to look at the website and consider helping!

The girls were so excited to take their shoebox up!

Grand Illumination

Grammy and Papa took the girls Downtown for the Grand Illumination and parade! We're really getting in the Christmas spirit around here!!!!

Santa on the pretty float!

The girls in front of the big Christmas tree!

Watching the parade!

They even got to go on some rides!

Air Force Museum

Ben and Papa took the girls to the Air Force Museum over the Thanksgiving weekend. It's kind of a tradition they started a couple years back. The girls really enjoy it and they even got to see an IMAX movie this year!

O Christmas Tree

The day after Thanksgiving, the girls and I put up our Christmas decorations! The girls had so much fun putting ornaments on the tree, especially the ones that they've made or their special ornaments that we've collected over the years. Such a fun and festive time of year!

My little helpers!