MERRY CHRISTMAS

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, we certainly did.

CHRISTMAS EVE W/ THE GOURLEYS

Jackie & Curt

Mommy & Ally

Abby & Tippy

Playing Phase 10- a Gourley family tradition

Abby, Tippy & Jackie

Tippy & Papa

Aunt Tippy with her snowman Uncle Stephen made her

Abby with her new personalized backpack

The cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer

The girls waiting for Daddy to bring down their hot chocolate.....

I think they were a little excited!

CHRISTMAS MORNING

We had to wake Ally up...she was sleeping too late for Abby

The girls checking out their stockings

Abby of course got exactly what she asked for.....

Barbie & the Diamond Castle

I think we made her nervous the night before....we told her we were going to see if she had been good in the morning, and with a not so sure look on her face, she quickly informed us that Ally was the naughty one cuz she scratches............in the morning when she saw all the presents she said "I told you we were good mom!"

Ally with all her gifts from Santa....

she too was lucky enough to get what she asked for even though she scratches;)

Ally checking to see if Santa has drank all his milk....he did leave a few crumbs on the plate. Notice this year Ally is careful not to touch.....last year she tried to drink the left over milk, and Abby was very concerned she would get Santa germs....he he he!

Abby showing us the note that Santa had left for her and Ally

Our family opening up gifts

Our tradition....caramel & cinnamon rolls for breakfast...Yum!

Aunt Tippy, Jackie & Julie

Ally, Grandma & Abby....

the girls were already playing dress up when Grandma & Papa came to see what Santa had brought.

CHRISTMAS DAY W/ THE REKSTADS

Uncle Ricky & Ally

Abby opening her coconut from Uncle Ricky......

she wasn't too excited about it!

Ally thought it was pretty great, although she wasn't the one who opened it.

Ally with her new Sleeping Beauty barbie

Abby with her load of presents

Abby in her High School Musical dress, she loved the wig!

Grandma Sandi.......Derek & Kirsten are expecting in March!

Kirsten, Ally & Abby

The Whole Clan

Uncle"D", Kirsten, Grandma Sandi, Ally, Uncle Ricky, Curt, Abby & Jackie

HE KNOWS IF YOU'VE BEEN BAD OR GOOD.....

Abby & Ally on Santa

Abby & Ally with the baby reindeer

Ally & Emma

(we even ran into our neighbors there)

Ally decorating her cookies

Abby decorating her cookies

This year we decided to skip the mall and go to visit Santa in downtown Elk River.....They had a small petting zoo, cookie decorating, hot chocolate & apple cider, and of course Santa Claus. It was alot of fun and the weather was perfect. Ally even sat on Santa's lap, which was a big improvement from last year. She didn't talk but Daddy helped her tell Santa what she wanted. Abby of course told him everything she wants. And the best part is it was FREE!

..................SO BE GOOD FOR GOODNESS SAKE!

ABBY'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

She was so excited to wear her new Christmas Dress

The Whole Class

Mrs. Lisa, Abby & Mrs. Amy

Abby, Daddy & Ally with the gift she made for us:)

Abby had her Christmas program at preschool. She did a great job and it was fun to hear all the songs they sing at school.

TRIMMING THE TREE

Ally putting all the bulbs on one branch

Abby

Abby putting on the star

Yea we are all done!

Christmas tree brownies for dessert

On Monday night at Abby's request for FHE we decided to put up our Christmas Tree. She has been seeing other houses decorated and kept asking when we were going to decorate. I love that she is starting to remember from year to year some of the things we always do as a family. We usually do it the Friday after thanksgiving, but since we were at the cabin we didn't have a chance to. So we got out all the boxes from the basement and started decorating. Ally loved putting the bulbs on and she always put them all on the same branch....I think I have pics of Abby doing the same thing at this age. Abby has finally realized that you decorate the whole tree and not just the bottom. After wards we had Christmas Tree brownies for dessert. I love this time of year (minus the cold), but I love all the yummy food and the spirit that surrounds this holiday. Now I can start my shopping....I am so jealous of those of you who are finished already...you make me sick!

THANKSGIVING AT THE CABIN

Ally & Papa

Ally & Grandma

Abby helping make the fruit salad

Ally helping make the fruit salad

Abby & her olive fingers

Ally & her olive fingers.....all she ate was olives & marsh-pillows (marshmallows)

Abby and the baby Abby

Ally's favorite thing to do was block the hallway and say

"can't go through"

This year for Thanksgiving we went with my parents up to the cabin for 5 days. It was so fun to just relax and do nothing, except watch kids. Which if you ask my Dad all we did was watch them make messes:) Which we did eventually clean up, right after we (my mom & I) finished our game of cards. Just ask my Mom how much cheating she got away with?? We really had a great time hanging out with family. My uncle lives up there so we got to see him and some of his kids too. One of which just had a brand new baby named Abigail, which my Abby insisted on holding the entire time. She is really cute, congratulations Jessica.

PLAYING IN THE LEAVES

The girls always have a fun time playing in the leaves every fall. However this year we had such a busy October that we never really got around to raking up the leaves...which doesn't really matter because they all just blew away this year and we don't get a whole lot anyway. But I still wanted our yearly pictures for the scrapbook, so one day after the dusting of snow melted we went over to Grandmas and auntie Jen raked up a big pile for me to throw the girls into for the much needed pictures. Ally didn't mind at all, but Abby was sure her mother was crazy for making her pose in a bunch of cold wet dirty leaves.

Thanks auntie Jen we love you!