Holidays are here

Ryan's Holiday party was so much fun. They did a book exchange in which Ryan got a big book of night time stories, they sang songs and there were snacks. Ryan didn't see Santa, but did go see Ha Ha the Clown and get her a pink sword balloon. He doesn't do just balloon animals, he does swords.

Eddie got all "wrapped up" wrapping his gifts for Christmas. 

Our 2012 Christmas card



Eddie is out of control!

We had a special friend come into town on Monday. Kevin came to visit!!! Ryan loves playing with him. He, Phillip, and Ryan played keep away with the balloon all night. She had so much fun.

Summer 2012

December 2012

So when she went to bed, Eddie wanted to play keep away too. So he hung from the fan holding the balloon away from Ryan.

Ryan got a light saber along with Ollie and Colin last weekend. So of course, I had to get one for Phillip. He and Ryan played Star Wars.



Again, Eddie saw Phillip and Ryan playing so he and Barbie played Star Wars.

We are really trying to do spelling with Ryan after school. We want her to know the sounds, the letters, how they go together....all of the basics. Eddie helped her this morning. The word DO... was in the word finder this morning and he had the G in his hand. What will he do next????



Working on a puzzle

It amazes me how much they learn in such a short period of time.

After Thanksgiving, Phillip and I noticed how much Ryan had grown. She was with Becky for 4 days and when she came back, it was like she had grown a few inches. She could wash her hands without a stool, reach into the kitchen sink and more.

I remember when Ryan worked on a puzzle for the first time (or the first time I had seen her do one). It was a large piece puzzle, maybe 12 pieces and pretty easy to see.

Ryan got a 3D or lenticular puzzle from Ollie and Colin. It was very hard for me to look at, but once I suggested what to do, Ryan was off and putting that thing together. She has gotten so good. I guess we need to encourage that as it is creative thinking. She was able to look at the piece, look at the box and pretty much find where the piece was to go.

Just a cute picture in her scarf.



The Grpaevine Polar Express Train

Saturday was so much fun. We went over to Ollie and Colins house. We exchanged gifts, Ryan got a Barbie closet to keep all of the Barbie's clothes, shoes and purses in. All three kids got a light saber from Phillip and then the boys got games.

We then had lunch and played until it was time to go to the train. The suggestion is for kids, and parents, to come in their pjs.

This is Phillip and Ryan in their yoda shirts.

"Cute, I am"

"An Elf, I am not"

Family picture after the train ride. 

Ryan and mommy in our pjs. 

Alan and Phillip in their pjs....sorta!

"You'll shoot your eye out"

"An Elf, I am not"

That's as casual as they would get.

Ryan loving on Colin. He wasn't so sure! 

Ollie and Ryan

 Ready to go......

Watching the world go by....

She eyed Santa and is waiting for him. At this point she was sooo tired, but still excited to see Santa.

Not sure..... :)



We had a great time. Picture with Santa and Grammy.

Eddie, The Elf on the Shelf

Well......we got sucked in. We have an Elf on a Shelf. His name is Eddie. He is very silly. Ryan has often times said, "That Eddie, he is trouble."

The first day we got him, he was sitting in the second car seat in our truck. Ryan was so surprised. She wanted to hold him the minute she got him.

Eddie at mommy's work before we met Ryan. He is not very good. He just sits there and didn't get any of my work done for me.



Ryan is showing Eddie how to use the iXL.

Thursday night (Friday morning when she found him), he had gotten into the candy. He ate quite a few pieces. 

Saturday morning Ryan found him in the kitchen having juice with Barbie. He made the juice himself, she says. 

Sunday monring Eddie was really getting into this. He toilet papered the Christmas tree.

Monday morning he spelled Ryan's name in marshmellows. Of course, Ryan was all over those things and had a handful in her mouth before she really even knew what he had spelled.

Ryan watched the Elf on a Shelf movie with Eddie. She was kind of confused b/c on tv his name is Chippey. But I told her that they have different names on tv. She saw Elfa, Ari's elf. She saw Baeuregard, Ollie and Colin's elf and of course Eddie...the star of the show.



Thanksgving 2012

Thanksgiving 2012 was great. I will post pictures of the Finigan Thanksgiving soon.

Below is the Cooper Thanksgiving. We had almost everyone there. I am so glad we got a big family picture.

Me and Grandpa

96 years old

Ryan and Grandpa

3 yrs old and 96 yrs old



Ryan and Bronwyn

Blair Thanksgiving

Ryan, Elicia and Phillip

Pretty Granma, Elicia, Ryan and Phillip

So, Ryan thought she wanted to try out Elicia's toys.......until she got stuck.



Trimming the tree.

Hot chocolate in her pjs.

Tree at school and in her new Ariel shirt. She loves to pose.

Picture from Oct 2011 that was sent to me from Lauren at her wedding.