Christmas Eve, Eve Eve, and Visiting Santa

With just three days before the North Pole toy manufacturing ceases for 2011 good boys and girls, Pippy hand-delivered her letter to Santa, gave him a high-five, and then hit the carousel ride.  Christmas Eve Eve began with our immediate family's gift opening and breakfast of cinnamon eggnog French toast.  Then Pippy handed out cookies to the charming seniors at Heron Pointe Retirement home, a tradition now in its second year.  Both girls napped before loading into the truck and heading to Portland.  We tried to make it to the Grotto, but it just didn't happen.  Instead, we enjoyed an impromptu visit with my sister, before making our final destination:  my parents.    Christmas Eve was a wonderful day visiting, eating, and exchanging gifts.  We celebrated mass at the quaint church located in Roy.  We kept a vigilant lookout for Christmas light displays on the way home.  Finally, everyone is asleep and resting.  We expect Santa tomorrow morning, before heading out again to enjoy the company of Holster's family.

The Stockings are Hung...

We've been a bit busier since Roo's arrival.  Previously, we picked out a Christmas tree in the week after Thanksgiving.  This year we finally made it to the tree farm on December 11th.  It didn't take too long to agree on a tree.  We topped off the experience with a zig-zaggy tractor ride, before heading home to decorate.  Exterior lights are up, now, and we are eagerly awaiting Christmas Eve.  In the meantime, Pippy hopes to drop off her letter with Santa, hand out some Christmas cookies, and make it to the Grotto's Festival of Light.  Then, finally, it will be Christmas.

Pippy Becomes a Big Sister to Roo!

Pippy has been a big sister for almost three months and she is doing a great job!  She is very sweet, caring, and gentle.  An inadvertent bonk on little Roo's head is immediately remedied with a quick kiss and a sincere "Sorry, Roo."

Since the day of Roo's arrival, Pippy has enjoyed the status upgrade that comes with Big Sisterhood, starting with her very own princess dress from her Grandma B.  The next status upgrade was on the second day when we drove home from the hospital.  Previously, Elise's car seat was rear-facing, but Big Sisterhood reversed Pippy's direction and she has been forward-facing ever since.  The most recent change for Pippy is her toddler bed!  She has yet to fall out, but may have come close the first night, because she told her mom the next morning, "I slept close to the edge...I'm not going to do that again."

She has also been heard telling her little sister all about her new bed.