Dress-up Tea Party!

Yesterday Brianna had her friends over for her 6th Birthday party. It was so much fun!

She wanted to have a dress-up tea party and it was a great success. We started with a picture frame craft project then did a scavenger hunt that led to prizes, the last being the dress-up bag. The girls got to put on their stick on earings, bracelets, necklaces, rings and make up.

They danced to princess music, had their pictures taken and then sat down for the tea and snacks. Each had thier own tea cup and saucer and sipped daintly. (most of them didn't care for the tea, but drank the apple juice I had in cups too)

They were all very polite and had a fun time. Brianna enjoyed opening her presents and sharing such a special day with her very special friends.

Frazzini Christmas

Growing up taking ballet, there were many years that I danced in the Nutcracker. For the last few years, Brianna and I have gone to see the Ballet and it really puts me in the Christmas mood. This year we went to the Hult Center in Eugene, just the two of us. We went out to an exotic dinner then did a little shopping and off to the show. Brianna loved it and I love doing this with her!Anticipation for Christmas this year was almost unbearable for the kids this year. They did great staying away from all the gifts under the tree. Tucker did open a few early that I had to re-wrap! We had Brian's parents and sister over for Christmas Eve and had a lot of good company, food, presents and fun!

Look at those faces! ExcitementRelaxing a little with Aunt Angie
Brianna petting her new kitty
Still excited and crazy - even after lots of gift opening and staying up later than usual. We tracked Santa online and it said he was getting pretty close so it was a rush to read Rudolph and set out the milk, cookies and carrots. It was a foggy night so the kids knew for sure that Rudolph would be guiding Santa's sleigh.
Brian and I waited a few hours and then got all ready for Santa's arrival. He was very generous this year and brought Bricen a gas powered Motorcycle and gear and Brianna a mini dauschund
and all the goods to go with her. It was a very exciting night with much anticipation from all in the house!

Christmas morning was one I know I will never forget and I don't think Brianna will either. The new puppy woke her up in bed, she was so shocked that when she went out to the tree to see what else Santa had left, she didn't even notice the motorcycle! She ran into our room in disbelief that it was really a real puppy. She named her Lily and it was love at first sight.

We got her the Barbie Salon and when she opened it we said we were really hoping Santa didn't get her it also. She said deep down she had wished for a puppy and that Santa knew. It was just perfect!

Brice was so excited that he got a motorcycle that runs on gas. He said "I didn't even ask for one that runs on gas" After the initial shock set in, he got on it outside and thought it was pretty cool. He is a complete natural on the bike! He puts his helmet on and is able to steer it and make it go pretty fast. Faster than I care to watch! He breaks and turns it too! Our area in front of the shop is his new track. He will stay out in the cold for a really long time so he can keep on riding it.

A Star is Born

The last few Christmas' we have watched Brianna perform in her Christmas program at school. This year she did not have one, however our focus got to be on Bricen. He was so excited to perform in front of everyone. I figured he would mouth the words and do just fine. Little did I know that he would be the star of the whole show!

Here he is in the classroom getting ready to go on stage for his classes portion.

When his class got on stage, Brice was in front and center. He sang every word, did every hand and body motion and was the loudest kid of all. He was so absolutely adorable. I can not describe how proud I was watching him up there. He was such a ham and got many compliments the whole night!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

We went to the Christmas tree farm again this year to pick out the perfect tree. This was the first year that we picked out our tree right away. The light shown down on it and the angels hummed! Not really, but it did jump out at us much quicker than any other year. Uncle Dan and Aunt Mandy came along to get their tree also. It was so much fun and the kids loved the tractor ride, hot cocoa, cookies and warm barn.

Dan and Mandy with thier tree

Brice and Brianna were great helpers, chopping it down and helping pull it to the tractorAll decorated with lights and ornaments

Brianna got to go to a gingerbread party that one of her best friends had. While she was there, Brice and I decorated a ginger bread house of his own. Both kids munched on candy off of the houses until I finally threw them away after Christmas!

They turned out pretty good!

Pictures with Santa

December went by so fast! We had a fun filled month with plenty to do to get ready for Christmas. This year it was all about Santa Claus and being on the Nice List or the Naughty List. Everytime we saw a Santa figure, Brice assured us he was not on the Naughty List. He did manage to point out people who had done Naughty things though...

We made it to Story Book Land 2 times! A great tradition that will carry on for many years to come. Brice asked for a motorcycle and Brainna asked for a salon barbie.

We took pictures with several Santa's this year and not a question about why they looked different or whether or not he was the real Santa. The magic of it all must have taken over them!