Isabella LOVES that her daddy is a "police offider." One day while he was getting ready, she decided to get suited up just like daddy.
Bella has fallen in love with Jessie from the Toy Story movies. We decided to buy it for her for Christmas (before Thanksgiving). Mom and I had our plan all worked out: she distracted Bells while I put Jessie in the cart and covered her with my coat. We shopped. Mom distracted her again while I ran up to the register and asked for an extra-big bag to cover it up. Mom walked around the store with the kids while I went to the car and buried the bag. Coming up the stairs with the bag hidden among all the others, we got three steps from the door when Isabella said, "Mom! Can I have the Jessie doll!?" We couldn't keep it from her, and here she is hugging on it. Jessie has been a constant companion ever since.
Thanksgiving was a wonderful adventure. Everyone (minus Brian) was together and we ate until we were stuffed. Bella made the place cards-Indian corn that she dotted with her fingertips and paint.
Fewer things cuter than kids in footie jammies, enraptured by the first snow of the year. It's okay-before I snapped this shot I stood at the kitchen window enraptured myself.
A Hasseld family tradition: making gingerbread houses (usually while watching "It's A Wonderful Life"). This year we decided to forgo the pre-baked gingerbread and build our own houses out of graham crackers. We had a fabulous time adding frosting and candy (although a fair share went in our bellies as well!). You can see Isabella's excitement.
In order to get anything done, we kept Ryan in his high chair! We threw him some random candies and graham crackers and that seemed to keep him happy.
Here we are in the middle of construction. Joshua took it very seriously. Naturally, he had the best building!
Bella's house is on the left (I think she did a great job!) and mine is on the right. Ryan had fun walking past them and once in a while popping a gumdrop or M&M in his mouth.
Joshua's tri-level, complete with inner supports (which you can't see, obviously) and a Christmas tree on the roof!
Bella took dance classes once a week for a few months, compliments of Nana. Here are some pictures from the big night! This first one is her looking out into the crowd and going, "Hi, Mom!"
Gettin' ready for the dance to start. They danced to "Little Pretty One" and it was ridiculously adorable!
Another tradition: Christmas Eve jammies! Here Bella and Ryan sport their new ones. You can't see it, but Ryan's has a penguin on front and it says "Chillin'"
And it never fails-you buy kids toys (like an interactive Woody and Buzz)-and they play with the box!
Christmas Day photos! Ryan had no greater joy than to do horsey rides with Maga.
Bella wades among the piles of presents. We were too spoiled!
Family photo! Every year I buy an ornament and put a picture of us in it. It's fun to look back at the photo of me and Joshua from 2005, the two of us (with Bella in utero) from 2006, our family photo from 2007, our family (with Ryan in utero) from 2008, and the first picture of our family of four from last year. Can't wait to add this one to the tree!
The day after our Christmas was our church's first children's program. Here's Bella doing her thing.
"The stars in the sky looked down where He lay..."
And you can't have winter pictures without some of the snow! The kids and I went out last week to romp in the white stuff. We had a blast.
And then the rest of the world celebrated Christmas! The kids and I headed to the candlelight service at Bill & Volere's church. There's something very sacred and right about singing Silent Night a cappella in a church lit only by candles. But before that, the kids and I had a photo session!
More blessings of Christmas: cards sent from lots of friends and family.
The true meaning of it all: the advent manger scene that we unpacked each day leading up to Christmas.
And finally, our tree, which I love, decked out in red and gold. Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night!
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