Getting Close to Christmas...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The girls are getting very excited around the house. We have looked at Christmas lights in McAdenville, wrapped presents for our friends (Daphne did), and lots of running around the tree singing songs. We have also been chasing Buddy Elf around the house...he's such a mischevious little elf. We have seen him fishing in the bathroom, playing around in the tree, replacing stockings for panties and diapers, playing with the girls' toys, and even taking a bubble bath in marshmallows, along with many other fun little antics. He has been going to Santa at night to tell him how the two girls are acting. Jocelyn has been playing in her duck tub the past week or so because she won't stay on her mat in the big tub with Daphne. She wants to sit up and play like a big girl. She is still learning to eat big girl food. Some days are better than others, but we are working on it. Emilee and Jason came to the house on Wednesday at lunch. We had wonderful sandwiches and chili and exchanged presents. Thursday, Grandma Eva came to play with the girls all day while mommy and daddy ran around town. The girls had a wonderful time! Tomorrow (Friday, 23rd) Tiff and Joe will be here.

I am so amazed at how wonderful our girls are. Daphne is so smart and thoughtful, always making jokes, and acting like a little adult. She has a great great imagination that we love to listen to as much as possible. Jocelyn is growing up so fast. She's a really happy baby, smiling all the time, and giving lots of love to everyone she meets. This Christmas is so exciting for Clinton and I, and we are loving every minute of being parents to these amazing little girls. Watch out world!
Jocelyn playing in the duck tub.

Yum...sweet potatoes!

Emilee putting on our new hat, while Jocelyn is playing with the paper. She will be able to do great things in a few days when Santa comes!

Not Bad Kitty! Oh yeah! Would you like me to recite it to you...because I can :)

The girls helping Emilee open her present from us. They are such big helpers.

Jason LOVES his Thomas and Percy trains. Daphne picked them out for him.

Daphne painting her new rubber duck that Emilee and Jason bought for her. Yes, it really can be put in the tub when she finishes!

Daphne is so proud of her duck.

Love the name.

Jocelyn playing in her hat in the playroom. Daphne wanted her to have a hat on like her. Jocelyn was just talking up a storm to that rubber bunny. That playroom is great!

Daphne eating a chocolate covered pretzel that one of my students made for me.

The monstrosity of Thomas blocks. It only took up HALF of the playroom. Hey, at least she had a wonderful time playing.

Daphne playing with Thomas. Jocelyn was inching herself over closer to the trains. Eventually she made it to knock part of it down!

*oh, special note...Clinton got a new job at the credit union! Yay for no more DSS!

Meeting Santa

We got to see Santa and eat breakfast with him at Shells. Daphne loved doing this. She got to eat her special smiley face pancakes, make a stocking with Santa, and sit on his lap. Santa even gave her a little goody bag. We were proud of her for sitting on his lap and not being afraid!
Daphne making her stocking.

Telling Santa she wanted a "mommy and daddy hamster." (She wants a Zhu Zhu pet hampster)

Still talking.

Both of the girls on Santa's lap.

Daphne and her goody bag.

Jocelyn BEFORE trying big girl food.

Jocelyn DURING big girl food.

She ended up enjoying it for a little while, but she really prefers nursing. Mommy and daddy will have to work on that. We'll put Daphne on it and I'm sure she'll do much better!

Daphne making presents for everyone. She wanted to buy lots of presents for people, but mommy and daddy's wallet wasn't quite big enough for her big hearted gifts. She settled for making something home made instead. Needless to say, she gave a few to her Boo and Pops, Aunt Patty, Aunt Emilee, and Grandpa John (wonderful friends from my work), and they loved them. She also gave her teachers ones. Of course they enjoyed them a great deal. Ms. Stacey (her teacher) made Daphne a hat and scarf set. It's absolutely gorgeous. She has been wearing it since we came home on Tuesday. I'll post pictures of it later. (You can see Facebook if you just can't wait!)

Jocelyn even has one she enjoys very much. Of course she had to help too!

Grandma Eva and Grandpa Bill came by with little gifts for the girls. Grandma Eva came as an elf to deliver the little gifts. They stayed for a good while, just playing with the girls and looking at pictures.

Daphne looking the two new reindeer we have. They are both girl reindeer. Adorable.

Jocelyn and Grandpa Bill.

The little monkey found the tree and got really quiet while we had stepped into the kitchen. She was sitting near the couch, and all of a sudden she was under the tree. Hmm...we think she is just about crawling! Let's hope we are all ready!

November

Daphne and Jocelyn have been playing together a whole lot. They both just laugh and giggle when they are talking. We love it! Yes, Jocelyn is being rolled around in a shopping cart. Daphne picked her up and put her in there.

She fit just right, and went along with Daphne.

Eventually Jocelyn fell asleep on her play mat.
The girls getting out their brand new Christmas trees that Paw Paw and Mimi bought for the girls for their bedrooms. They are enjoying being part of the Eddings' version of the Griswalds :)

Daphne got to decorate her own tree by herself.

Doesn't it look pretty?

Jocelyn was very interested in the tree too!

She wanted to lay under the tree for a long time.

wow at how excited she was when the lights came on!

Daphne likes to help feed Jocelyn her cereal. She is doing the "airplane" to feed her. Most of the time she actually does better than everyone else. haha!

Daphne helped me decorate the Christmas tree. We have ornaments all in one or two spots. It's great!

We love that smile!

Girls at the tree

a section of our beautiful tree

Jocelyn and Daphne's favorite fun ornament is my Griswald's singing house! We will have to change batteries by the end of the season.

:)

Daphne wearing the santa hat

Jocelyn wearing the santa hat.

Both our wonderful girls! Yes, Jocelyn IS sitting up :)

We are so glad that Jocelyn is so laid back, especially after how much Daphne carries her around.

There isn't any denying her!

ooh, that feels pretty neat!