Christmas Vacation: Day One

I've been looking forward to my Christmas break from school for many reasons. Obviously, the biggest reason is being able to spend time with Emma during my favorite time of year. Today was the first day of our two week adventure and we got an early start. After a trip Babies R Us (a.k.a. our second home) we came home to begin making cookies.

I found a really cute cookie that I couldn't wait to make with Emma this year: Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies. They'll be perfect to leave for Santa. Aren't they cute? I can't wait until both girls are old enough to help, because I think they'll love putting on the eyes and antlers.

Emma helped me by mixing, tasting the quality of the chocolate chips, and by keeping Sasha out of the kitchen by chasing her off and screaming "No kitty!" She's a very good kitchen guard.

Once the cookies were out of the oven and cooled, she took her job as lead cookie taster very seriously. She gave these cookies a 10 out of 10. I know that because after she tasted one, she tried to grab handfuls from the cooling racks.
Despite her attempts, we stopped at one, which was a good thing, since apparently sugar has some side effects...

Stay tuned for Day 2!

No Girls Allowed!

Well, we may have our hands full in less than two months time. Apparently, Emma is not crazy about girls. Every night before bed, Andy and I each read a book to Emma. Tonight, Andy was reading the book Harry the Dirty Dog. In the book, the dog's family is a father, mother, girl and boy. Emma loves to point out all of the things she sees in the book while they are reading. "Choo-choo (train)!"; "Ick (dirt)!"; "bubbles!" Her favorite things to point out are the mother and father in the story. We've been trying to get her to identify the boy and girl in the story for some time now. She picked up "boy" really quickly and he has also become one of her favorite things to spot. However, she refuses to say girl. She won't even acknowledge the girl. She will very clearly point to each character and recite their names; Mommy, Dada, boy. We'll ask her to find the girl and she will point to the boy instead and say "boy." Tonight, Andy had her point to each character as usual and when he got to the girl, he said "Can you say 'girl?' G-g-girl." Emma's response: "G-g-BOY!"

It looks like Sophia will have her work cut out for her!

A Snowy Day

Emma and I had a great time playing in the snow this morning.

She was fascinated with the snow on her feet.

She took off her mittens so that she could feel the snow...

...and did not like it at all. Brrr!

Her first snowball!

Snow!

Today was the first snowfall of the year. It slowly started this afternoon and by dinner, we had a very light dusting. We took Emma outside to enjoy the first few flakes after hearing her cries of "No (snow)!"

She did not like getting snow on her mittens and kept saying "Uh oh!"

She liked trying to catch the flakes on her tongue.

Once we were inside and warm, we started doing our snow dance so that I didn't have to go to school. It worked! Emma and I will enjoy a snowy day at home tomorrow!

Don't you love her long johns? :)

We're Getting in the Christmas Spirit!

Coal for Christmas?

Needless to say, Emma will not be asking to see Santa anytime soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a very relaxing Thanksgiving Day topped off with a wonderful meal. After dinner we went to the Fantasy of Trees to see the gingerbread houses, trees, and of course, Santa. They all went well except for the Santa part. Emma cried before she even made it to the front of the line. But she really loved the "Reindeer Games" children's area where she could run and play.

We have a lot to be thankful for here at the Stegner household. We have one little beautiful girl who brightens our world and another sweet baby girl on the way. I hope that your Thanksgiving was filled with family, friends, and love.

Helping with the cooking

Her new "fake" smile

Apparently over the pictures!

All that eating made her sleepy

Having a blast at Fantasy of Trees