Elf Yourself, Sugar Cookies, and Cousin Ella

The girls' school has an annual holiday event called "Elf Yourself" to raise money and collect food donations for families in need. For $2 and a can of food, you can get a photo of yourself as an elf! Here is Emily getting her photo taken. 

Emily the Oregon Duck elf!

Lauren getting her photo taken. 

Lauren, the elf with candy cane stockings!

Lauren (left) and Emily (right) decorating sugar cookies.

They did a great job decorating them!

Cousin Ella came to visit from Virginia! The girls were so excited to see The Nutcracker with her and the three of them had a great time playing together during the rest of the weekend.

Wild Truck Ride, The Nutcracker, and A Mirror

This weekend the girls went to their friend William's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. They love this wild truck ride!

The Kisors gifted us front row seats to The Nutcracker ballet! Justin was on call, so DD came along. I took this photo before the show started... you can see the usher in background coming over to scold me for taking photos in the auditorium. We enjoyed the show!

A recent photo I took of Lauren... she was making silly faces in the mirror and laughing.  :)

Santa Visit

Santa's headquarters at the mall includes an area where you can check to see if you are on the Nice List or not... Emily is on the Nice List!  

Lauren was excited to confirm that she is on the Nice List too. 

The official portrait with Santa!

Gingerbread Houses

Lauren (left) and Emily (right) had lots of fun decorating gingerbread houses this year!

Lauren's house is on the left and Emily's house is on the right. 

Back view of the houses... Emily's house is on the left and Lauren's house is on the right.

Christmas Tree Shopping at Al's Garden Center

This year we decided to buy a pre-cut Christmas tree from Al's Garden Center. They always have such beautiful holiday decorations, like this giant nutcracker!

The girls have enjoyed seeing this electric train since they were toddlers.

We chose a slender noble fir this year and really like the streamline shape!

Winter Piano Recital

Lauren (left) and Emily (right) performed in their second piano recital this past weekend!

 Lauren played Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Emily played Frosty the Snowman. They both did a wonderful job and we are so proud of them!

Disney In Concert: Tale As Old As Time

We took the girls to see their first symphony! Emily (left) and Lauren (right) dressed up for the occasion. 

Our family portrait before the performance.

The show included vocalists performing songs from various Disney movies. There was also a big projection screen showing scenes from each movie which made it really fun. The Frozen medley at the end was the girls' favorite.

Afterwards we went out to dinner at Southpark. Lauren loves steamer clams!

The girls loved dessert... creme brulee for Lauren and a chocolate board for Emily.

Happy Thanksgiving 2014

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holiday of the year!  I did not take as many photos as usual this year, but did get one of the kid's table.  From left to right: Kay, Lauren, Kali, Emily, and Amanda.

Kay getting ready to pin the hat on the turkey. 

We played Thanksgiving bingo too. 

And a few rounds of Just Dance!

This year I made a french apple tart for one of the dessert options.  It was a wonderful celebration and we are so thankful for our family and friends.  :)

Emily's Star Student Poster and Happy Kitchen Mini Burger and French Fries

Emily was Star Student last week!  She completed this poster and presented it to her class.

We recently went to Uwajimaya and tried to buy hamburger shaped chocolate treats but ended up mistakenly buying a Happy Kitchen mini burger and french fries kit.  The girls had a fun time putting it together. 

We had to watch a video about it on You Tube to figure out what to do... it's kind of strange and we decided it was probably best to not eat it. :P

Holiday Ornaments and Playground Fun

Lauren (left) and Emily (right) painting ornaments at CeramiCafe. 

Lauren painted a gingerbread man and Emily painted an angel. 

Emily enjoying a chilly afternoon at the playground.

Lauren making her way across the trapeze rings. 

Snow-less Snow Day

School was cancelled on Friday due to wintry mix weather and freezing rain! The girls were excited to wear their new winter coats even though we ended up staying inside for most of the day. 

Lauren smiling. 

Emily laying on the floor being silly. 

We had a fun day lounging around in our warm house!

Dental check up and other random photos...

It was time for another dental check up! Here is Lauren getting her teeth cleaned.

Emily getting her teeth cleaned.

At the end of the check up, each patient receives a token to redeem for a free prize! 

Lauren picking up leaves in the front yard.

Emily playing a song on the keyboard.

Girls playing doctor... Lauren brought Betty the bunny to the clinic to get a splinter removed from her foot. 

Emily checking Betty's heartbeat. She is healthy!