Before Christmas

On the 16th of December we got a really good snowstorm. Gwen has been bugging to go out and play in the snow and make a snowman, but there's never really been enough snow. Well, there was one day, but it wasn't the right kind of snow to make a snowman out of. This snowstorm wasn't the right kind of snow for a snowman either, but my sister Melissa offered to take the two older girls out to play in the snow. So I bundled them all up and sent them out. They were only out there for about half an hour before the girls started getting tired and cold and wanted to come in, but they had a lot of fun out in the snow with their "Aunt Mimi" and Georgia and I spent some nice quality time inside together.

Grace, Missy and Gwen

On the 23rd Jamie Long (a friend of my brother Matt, or Elder Sessions as he is now known as) came over with her sister Sam to make a bunch of Christmas cookies with my mom, Gwen and Grace. They made Christmas Wreaths, Applesauce, Christmas Trees, Snickerdoodles, and Norweigan Crowns (otherwise known as thumbprint cookies). The girls had so much fun for a while...and then Gwen started having pain in her ear. Rob took her to the nearest Urgent Care in the middle of Jamie and Sam's visit and came back saying that Gwen had been diagnosed with a severe ear infection. Joy. She's better now, and we have some good pictures to look back on and remember how much fun we had with them while they're off at school.

Jamie, Grace, Gwen and Sam

Christmas Eve we just relaxed most of the day. The girls got dressed in their matching Christmas shirts (see next post) and we didn't do anything too big. For dinner we had the normal Sessions Christmas Eve dinner: Chicken Crescent Rolls, Twice Baked Potatoes, Clam Chowder, Rolls, Green Beans and Corn. It was oh so yummy. After dinner we rolled out sugar cookie dough and the girls cut out cookies with my parents, us and my sister Melissa. We had some fun with flour as well.

Missy, Grace and Gwen

Gwen

Grace

While we waited for the cookies to bake, we played the traditional Christmas Bingo. Everyone gets a Christmas Bingo card, and we mark the pictures off as they are called with marshmallows. When you win you get a prize. Gwen and Grace both got mixing utensils (a preview of their big Christmas present) and Georgia got a bumble ball (one of those balls that vibrates and bounces on the floor). Rob got a nice flannel jacket and I got flannel pj pants. It was a lot of fun. Even my brother Jake joined in.

Having fun with Christmas Bingo.

After the cookies had cooled and bingo was over, we decorated the cookies. Even Rob did some cookies. Georgia amused herself by getting into the food closet while everyone else was busy. It has become one of her favorite things to do.

Papa (my dad), Gwen, Missy and Grace

Rob decorating a cookie.

What are you doing, Georgia?

After cleaning ourselves up after decorating cookies we let the girls open one present from us (a tradition in Rob's family). All three got cute new winter pjs, which they were thrilled to wear to bed. We then listen to Papa (my dad) read The Night Before Christmas. He tried to read it so the girls would understand it better, but Gwen kept letting him know that the words weren't rhyming, so he went back to reading it the correct way.

Papa, Gwen, Mommy and Grace.

Grace was the only one that was a stinker about going to sleep that night. She didn't fall asleep until close to 10:30. Finally though, she was asleep, Rob and I finished up Christmas presents and wrapping, and helped get ready for Santa's visit. : ) It was a fun day!!