Finally, Christmas!

We finally got all the decorating and presents wrapped for Christmas. After a while, the tree didn't look so funny with its cage around it and Elise enjoyed another object to pull up and stand on. Daddy and I told her all about the big day that was approaching. Elise was eager for the festivities!





On Christmas Eve, Grandma and Grandpa Kaiser, Aunt Amy, and Uncle Chris came over to our house for dinner and presents. Elise donned her 'babies first Christmas' Santa outfit and enjoyed being called 'Miss Claus'. After a dinner of garlic mashed potatoes and beef tenderloin, among other things, Elise got to open her presents. She enjoyed carefully unwrapping each of her gifts. Some of her favorite gifts were her Fisher Price lion riding toy, red wagon, and ball popper.
















On Christmas morning, we drove to Medina to spend Christmas with Nana, Poppa, Uncle Rik, great-grandmother Granny, Uncle Kevin, Rachel, Amelie and Santa Claus! Before opening our gifts, the doorbell rang and there appeared Santa Claus! Luckily Elise wasn't afraid to visit with him this time. Santa gave Elise a Tickle-Me-Elmo. After dinner, Elise opened her remaining gifts-- a sled, Leap Frog musical table, blocks and other goodies.





All-in-all, the Christmas season was a ton of fun! What can we say, Elise loves a good party! Hard to believe all this gift opening is just a warm up for her family birthday party next weekend. Our little girl is about to turn 1!

Christmas card picture

Our Christmas cards have finally hit the mail.... now we can post our family picture with Santa.

Thanksgiving and Santa Claus

On Thanksgiving Day, our family drove to Medina to spend the holiday with the Nilsson side of the family. There was quite the full house at Nana's and Poppa's- Uncle Kevin, Rachel, Uncle Rik, both of Elise's great-grandmothers, and Elise's beloved Penny (Nana and Poppa's dog). Of course our little chow hound loved the turkey and all its fixings. Who wouldn't love a holiday that's all about food?! While Elise didn't wake up in time for Black Friday shopping the next day with Nana and Mommy, she was up in time for breakfast out at Buelhers-- her first taste of pancakes before hitting the road back home.














On Saturday, Elise celebrated Thanksgiving with the Kaisers in Maumee. Grandma and Grandpa hosted dinner for everyone- Aunt Amy, Uncle Chris, Uncle Dick and Aunt Jean. This marked the first Thanksgiving where all three brothers (Grandpa, Uncle Dick and Uncle Chris) have been together for a holiday since Uncle Chris moved back from the South and Uncle Dick and Aunt Jean had moved to Hawaii. Elise was thrilled to have another meal of turkey! She ate everything on her plate-- obviously not worried about consuming extra calories since she's been burning them off with all her crawling and standing!


With Thanksgiving over, it's full steam ahead to Christmas! We've put away all of our Thanksgiving decorations and have decorated the house for Christmas. The outdoor lights are up-- including a lit snowman that sits on our deck for optimal Elise viewing. She loves our transformation into a Christmas wonderland and all the festive Christmas music that we sing together. At first, when we set the white lights on the mantle, Elise would just sit on the floor and exclaim 'Hey!'--- as if we might not know they were up there! We've also put up a Christmas tree in our living room-- surrounded by a dog fence so little hands won't pluck off ornaments or topple over the tree.

Yesterday we went to have our family photo taken with Santa Claus. Elise was terrified of the jolly old man. First, we tried photos on Santa's lap-- which proved unsuccessful. We then got a few non-teary pictures with Elise sitting alone in the snow with Santa leaning down towards her. She seemed fine with this compromise. Our family photo turned out perfectly. In fact, it will be part of our Christmas card this year so no sneak preview! Maybe next year won't be so upsetting for Elise. But, I must say that she looked beautiful in her red Christmas dress and black patent leather shoes!