This year Brindi was spoiled as this will be her last Christmas as an only child. We started off on Christmas Eve and headed to Old Town St. Charles for the Christmas Traditions festival where the streets are filled with Santas from around the world. Its a great festival when all the characters carry with them cards explaining their individual backgrounds. Characters like Jack Frost, Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Mrs. Claus, the Sugarplum Fairy, and over 10 different Santas are scattered throughout the streets.
On the way to old town, we passed a couple Snowmen. Christmas Eve morning we woke up to a clean blanket of "good" snow, not Missouri ice snow but the good stuff that snowmen are made of. As we headed home all Brindi wanted to do was make a snowman. She was set on making 5 snowmen but I was able to negotiate with her to only make 3.
Brindi started out as a really good helper but only lasted for about a half a snowman before she took a seat on the porch and directed the rest of the snowman construction. However, she did help with creating the faces to our snow family. Sad to say, Dad works a lot of weekends in December and missed the opportunity to do some much needed raking before the snow came so our snowmen were dressed in leaves!
Before we headed to bed Christmas Eve we opened our Christmas PJs.
Brindi's main present was a an Artist Esel with markers and water color paint. She seemed to like it, at least we hope she does. She loves to draw and has enjoyed drawing her hands and also kites on her new toy. Not sure why kites but that is her fascination these days. She also got a lot of plato.
A doctor set was another gift Brindi received and as soon as she opened it she made us all become her patient. Everyone had to take their turn and lay on the couch as we all played doctor and patient. This might have been her favorite toy.
Brindi also got some books, a cool money purse from her cousin that had pictures of them together on one side and a picture of the family on the otherside, a toy story matching game, a shapes creation necklace, a teddy pair mommy and baby, fingernail polish, chapstick, and a lot of candy.
Celeste received some new jewelry, clothes, and some much needed new silverware. Joe received the original NES with a few games, clothes, and several gift cards. We have truly been blessed this year are very fortunate for the life we live and we owe it all to our Savior whose birthday celebration this is. Merry Christmas!
Celeste's parents were able to come out this past week to see our new little girl and to help with out as we all transition into our new life. They were truly a blessing being able to help Celeste and I while also keeping Brindi busy.
The bedspread that Brooklyn is laying on was one of the things Sonja created and finished while she was visiting.
Grammy and Brindi 
Grandad and Brooklyn
Grammy and Brooklyn 
This is a picture that Brindi took of Grandad. Besides her thumb, she is a pretty good photographer. 
Grammy also brought Brindi a present. Can you guess what it was?....make up. What a cute couple of girls we have:) Celeste also decided to put her dad to work to earn his keep. Our funny basement corner was the task and the project kept her dad busy most of the week. I helped out a little but Pete did a great job. This corner has driven us nuts since we moved in because it was such a waste of space. After taking out a couple of walls,adding a couple of walls, a light, and a door...we now have a very functional closet and a lot more family room space!!! All we have left to do is pretty much sand and paint!
Brindi has transitioned really well so far and loves to hold and kiss her little sister and tells Brooke everyday that she loves her.
We have forgotten how small they really are. Such a cute little girl! We have really been blessed.
One of the thousands of kisses 
Brindi was also successful in rounding up her cattle and decided to take the baby calf out with her for the evening. Baby Wyatt and her made quite the team this year.
