Ho Ho Ho...

Let me start out by saying that Avery

DEFINITELY

knows who Santa is.

Her screams of "Santa, Santa!" could be heard over

the train

passing us by.

See, we went to the annual Caliente Depot lighting

where Santa came to visit the kiddos.

Of course we were at the end of the line,

in the freezing cold,

but did that stop us from seeing the man in red?

Nope.

Avery was a little nervous once she was faced

by Saint Nick.

But with Mommy at her side she happily

sat upon his lap.

She even got a candy cane.

Laura and Kaitlyn are veterans at this point.

They did not hesitate to climb up and make their gift requests.

Laura wants a bike... knew that already from the letter she wrote Santa

before Thanksgiving.

Kaitlyn wants Barbies, Littlest Pet Shops, and a rocking horse

(meaning the giant stuffed horse at Costco).

I'm glad I was listening in.

* * *

Being it's December Kaitlyn has decided that she's

"going to be good because it's almost Christmas."

I suppose the rest of the year doesn't count.

Surprise...

Thanksgiving was wonderful...

we ate at Aaron's parents' house,

got to see Acasia and Logan,

had an amazing chocolate pecan pie,

and after we got home and were relaxing

there came a knock on the door.

"Who could that be?"

I thought it was Acasia and/or Logan.

Nope.

It was my sister, Cortney, and my new niece, Starlyn!!!

She drove from Provo and totally suprised me!

I really was suprised.  Apparently Aaron knew but never said a word.

Isn't she adorable?

The girlies loved their new cousin (their first on my side of the family).

It was fun to lay Spencer and Starlyn next to each other.

Cortney insists Starlyn will beat him up eventually.

She probably will.

If she takes after her mama.

We've decided they'll be best buds anyway.

I love my sis and niece.

And I love surprises...

unless they come wrapped in a diaper.

Snuggly...

Avery gets a little bit crabby right around lunchtime.

Yesterday she fell asleep watching a movie and the kitties decided

to join her.

I had to take advantage of the peaceful moment.

My three troublemakers were behaving themselves.

O Christmas Tree...

On Saturday Aaron, Acasia, Logan and the girlies tromped through the snow in search

of the perfect Christmas tree (actually two... one for Mom and Dad West also).

I was at a craft fair (still don't know why I even try... oh well.) so Little Man spent time with Grandma.

Aaron bundled the girlies up and off they went.

 After we got the tree in the stand Kaitlyn and Avery gave it some water.

Monday night we got out the decorations and got busy.

Mom West brought me three beautiful ornaments from Germany, including

the nutcracker.

Aaron thinks the tree itself is quite ugly.

I call it "quirky."

(It really is a bit ugly, but I love it anyway.  And the decorations help a lot!)

Today the girlies wrapped their gifts to each other and put them

under the tree.

I hope they stay wrapped...

I'll let you know in 24 hours.