Glad Tidings

November and December are possibly the two most exciting months of the whole year in my humble, holiday-loving opinion. When you're almost three, or get the blessing of sharing these months with someone who is almost three, it becomes almost uncontrollably joyful. The other night in the tub, Allie was throwing bubbles in the air and shouting 'Hoorahhh!!!! Celebration!!!' We feel ya buddy. Here's what has kept us busy while I've been absent from the posts. And, of course we all know that a blogging-drought plus holidays equal an abundance of pictures. Grab a coffee and a Christmas cookie; you've had fair warning.

We had a fun weekend after Halloween with our visit from the Bowers. Dan and Jill went to Tech with Chris and their little Lily is almost 2 1/2, so really not that far off from Allie's age...just far off from her substantial stature. 

Breweries...they're not just for brewskies anymore. 

One of the first cold days of November...snuggles recommended.

 

Don't worry, 'Cheese!' comes in every size.

 And no holiday season is complete without a little puppy-smush, I mean love.

:o)

Allie's first dance 'season' ended the Tuesday before Thanksgiving with a performance...of sorts. The girls could wear any special dress they wanted to and one of my co-worker's girls grew out of this sparkly number and they were kind enough to pass it on to Allie. Don't worry, we've re-upped for another season. More 'sprinkle-sparkles' to come.

Yes, this is Katy Perry's chorus. Allie's parents just aren't cool enough that she knows the lyrics like the other girls...so she just smiles :o). 

Favorite part of dance class? The mirror.

They each got to play the toy-maker who falls asleep and then the toys wake up and start playing (tapping). Our little rule-follower was the only one to actually 'SHUSH!' the girls. 

Skipping solos.

 We spent Thanksgiving with the Shaikos and got to see family that we had not seen in a while. Chris' Aunt and Uncle and cousins came in to celebrate along with Allie's Great Memom. Allie started off a little shy and retiring, but we weren't fooled. By the end of the night she was calling everyone out by name and had them all out of their seats and dancing. Why? Because she said it was time for a 'party dance.' Alas, no pictures from the dance ring. I feared I would have been scolded if I'd stopped dancing.

Grammy has taught Allie well in the fine art of food-bag packing. She's alarmingly systematic...

Proud Packers

Coming out of her shell a bit..it was only a matter of time.

The day after Thanksgiving, Allie took her Grandpa out to see Frozen while the moms and I went Black-Friday shopping. But just when you thought nothing could get better than a trip to Target with an age-limit of 30 and above, that night we surprised my dad with a birthday gathering for his 65th.

Grandmom got in a few more hugs with 'the girls.'

Chef in Training, Gary Wintrode...Lord help my mother.

A little extra wind-power from the princess-cousins.

Mommy's turn! 

Hold the princesses, we're good over here.

And then Advent began...and the Christmas cheer is ON.

'Daddy, I want to do the Christmas Tree!'

Allie and I made it into the heart of Horse Country one Saturday for Christmas in Middleburg. The day includes a traditional Hunt Review, free hayrides around town, coffee and cider, chocolate and gift-shops, visits with Santa, and a Christmas Parade in the afternoon. It was SO up our Allie... :o).

She's a parade pro.

The Hunt is on.

Something tells me that you wouldn't have to worry about these guys snatching leftovers from the table when your back is turned. Our Abby...not so much.

Ready for our Jingle-Bell Hayride pulled by...

these Christmas beauties.

Allie and I scored with new friends we met at the beginning of the day. These two hung out like they were long lost BFFs the whole morning. Although Allie clarified for Santa that her best friend's name is Riley.

'Merry Christmas!'

 And as an added Christmas bonus, the frigid temps of our day in Middleburg turned into a four-day weekend for Mommy and Allie thanks to a glorious snow storm!

My name is Allie and I love snow-days and hugs.

Alright snowflakes...let's do this.

'Wooooooooaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!'

'Cheers!'

 The snow was a perfect backdrop for this past Thursday when we went to see the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Walk of Lights with Grammy and Grandpop. Despite Allie's questionable disposition (yes, even though her main mode is joy, she's still a legit 2-year-old), we had a great time seeing the lights shine through the snow.

Say, 'FREEZING!'

And back to main 'joy' mode with Grandpop watching the musical light show.

'I don't know these people. I asked for a solo shot.'

 And today we almost blew the top off of Christmas cheer with a glorious day of merriment with the famous Riley and her Mommy and Daddy. Riley's Grandmom, much like Allie's Grandmom, is remarkably crafty and considerate and she kindly thought of our sturdy girl and made an 'Allie-size' dress that Riley will eventually (we promise, Riley!) grow into and that Allie fits into perfectly right now. The girls (and Mommies) came dressed in their Christmas PJs. The girls, however, made a quick royal change after breakfast into their princess dresses. We all had a really nice, snowy, relaxed day.

Sofia the First and Cinderella...that's a lot of princess power in one room.

But don't be fooled. These princesses can handle hugs AND power tools.

There's a lot of twirling to be had in this dress.

Snuggles, milks, and Disney movies, an unbeatable combination.

Abby has a certain effect on toddlers. 

Christmas aprons...check. Christmas oven-mitts...check. Christmas crazies...check.

Gingerbread Cookie 'prep'.

Big girls keep on rollin'.

Size-matched snowflakes.

Bakers...

busted!

Eat these cookies at your own risk.

Yep...that's about right.

My mom always commented how nice it was when my friends wanted to help clean up after we baked cookies. These girls clearly make the Grandmom Wintrode cut.