Today we had a belated Christmas luncheon celebration at the Rufeners! It is always so nice to spend time with family. Lauren (left) and Emily (right) also enjoyed opening more gifts.
Lauren opening a present. 
Dad helping Emily remove the ribbon.
After a refreshing afternoon nap, Emily (left) and Lauren (right) were ready to play with their new toys, including this neat rolling ball structure.
Emily patiently waiting while Lauren drops a ball in. 
The girls love flashcards! Here Emily (right) hands a card to Lauren (left).
Lauren checking out the card... Emily said "Oooh!" as if she were trying to convince Lauren that the card was a particularly good one. 
But Lauren decided to throw the card on the floor and wait for the next one.
The girls also love to look at books! Here Dad reads one of the favorite Halloween books to Lauren (left) and Emily (right).
Happiness is bouncing in a giant tub full of colorful balls! 
What a wonderful Christmas! Thank you to cousins Kaylin (center) and Kali (right), Aunty Kimberly, and Uncle Greg for the fabulous inflatable bouncer! Lauren (left) decided right away that she liked it.
The structure was easily inflated thanks to Uncle Greg's pneumatic pump! Lauren on the left and Emily on the right.
Lauren grinning from ear to ear.
Emily was a bit hesitant at first, but now she likes it!
Emily crawling around while Lauren watches from the perimeter.
Emily (back) and Lauren (front) cheered when Dad added more colorful balls to the collection. Severity of hair static correlates directly with amount of time spent in the bouncer.
Other new toys included a collapsable nylon tunnel. Here is Emily looking through the end.
Here is Lauren looking through the other end!
Emily with the magic talking chair.
Lauren trying out the newest ride... we call it the Bullet!
Today we enjoyed a wonderful reunion lunch with my childhood friends (from left to right) Amy, Kelly, and Kari. All of our children were there (from left to right: Hazel, Lauren, Emily, Gavin, and Harrison) which made it even more fun!
Lauren being held by Kelly... we've been friends since I was six years old!
Emily eyeing Harrison... she loved all the train and car toys that the boys brought over to play with!
The walker has been officially converted to a ride on toy! Lauren (left) especially loves to ride. Here is sister Emily (right) generously offering Lauren a friendly push.
Emily was finally able to get a chance to ride, but Lauren decided to hop onto the front.
Lauren eventually offered to push Emily along. 
Many recent pictures of Emily look like this... she loves to look at the picture viewer on the back of the camera and will run to get to the back of the camera everytime she sees it!
Emily is full of energy, always on the move and trying to play with as many toys as possible. 
Lauren swinging a snake!
Emily (left) listening to Lauren (right) "sing" into the microphone. 
The girls giggling at Lauren's performance.
This year we decided to go to a local tree farm to cut down our own tree. The weather was rather chilly, so the girls decided to go to Maw's house for breakfast while Mom and Dad braved the elements. (Lauren on the left and Emily on the right).
Justin holding up the freshly cut douglas fir!
Emily (left) and Lauren (right) spent most of the day playing... perhaps next year they will be able to help decorate the tree!
Emily showing off her pearly whites!
Lauren and her irresistable toothy grin!
What a sparkly tree!
Emily looking absolutely delighted to visit the tree up close.
So many pretty ornaments and lights!
Emily loves anything dangerous, so of course she likes to touch the light bulbs.
Lauren loves anything that sparkles or shines.
Lauren plucking the ornament off like fruit from a tree.
Lauren carefully inspecting her ornament.