Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Things have been so busy around the Zimmerman household this holiday season as is in every household I would guess. Each year I tell myself to slow down, things don't have to be perfect, and don't stress the small stuff. This year there wasn't much stressing just a lot of busyness. As a child I remember Christmas being so magical and I want this for my kids. I just didn't realize what my mom had to go through to make it this way and boy did it wear this mama out! No matter how early I start my shopping there is always one last gift to buy. No matter how much baking I do there is always something more to bake (especially when I am pregnant:). This year Isabella was really into the Christmas crafts so each day we had a new project to tackle. My most favorite activity that we did together this Christmas was the advent. Each night we did the advent as a family and my kids loved it! I got this great book from our church of daily readings with discussions for the advent season and my girls just really seemed to get it. We had some great discussions and they loved blowing the candles out each night. We had a fabulous Christmas and it was pretty spectacular to wake up Christmas morning to all of that snow. We did miss out on a few family functions because of the weather but what we have discovered is that it is also nice to be with our own little family.

We did find out wonderful news about our May arrival. Baby is very healthy:) I had a sonogram on Monday and all of the parts are where they should be. Kyle and the kids were with me on this visit because we were going to find out the gender. Turns out we have a stubborn, camera shy baby. They sent me home because this little bean would not cooperate! Two days later I went back to have a do over and it was at it again, legs crossed and butt up. After many pokes and prods to my belly it finally gave us a peek...

IT"S A GIRL!!!!

We are so very excited and can't wait to meet her! The only concern that Isabella has is that Walter will not have anyone to play with. I explained that he would have plenty of friends and grow up to be a very patient man:)

School is still out and my tutoring is at a stand still so I am going to kick back, relax (whatever that means), and enjoy the New Year! I hope that you all do too!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Walter's new hat from Aunt Kari and Uncle Ben.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!!

Isabella loved the snow this year, played in it forever!

This little missy wasn't as big as a fan. She liked it but didn't like being so cold.

Breaking in our new sleds.

She loves her Hello Kitty bike.

Getting a feel for her "big" girl Barbie bike.

Of course Santa brought this little guy a bike of his own.

Nothing like green sprinkled sugar cookies on Christmas morning.

We loved getting to see Grandnana, Grandpapa, Nana, and Aunt Maureen

Grandpapa was brave to let him eat this on white carpet.

Best buds!

Happy Birthday Jesus party with our friends.

Checking out the train display at Union Station.

Afternoons of fun playdates with good friends.

Baking with our Mimi...

we look forward to it every year!

So does this guy even though he wasn't much help:)

The Nutcraker

Last Friday night I took the girls to their second annual showing of "The Nutcraker". Cousin Jack got to come with us which made it extra special for the girls. They had a great time!

I had to put this picture in because of what she chose to wear. White leotard, teal pettiskirt, and white tights. Oh, and don't forget the piggies! I really think that she thought she was going up on stage!

Frosty the Snowman

Her big recital is not until the spring but every year her dance teacher has them put on a little show for Christmas. They did a little tap to "Frosty the Snowman" and it was just so darn cute! She had been practicing religiously at home and when it came time to get up there in front of the parents she was not shy at all. I actually could hear her voice belting out all of the words to the song! I love how her dance teacher incorporates the singing into the dances.

Showing us her moves!

Okay, this is the part that made me cry. Ballet has always been my favorite even as a young child. When I danced I grew to love it even more and was so proud the day I went on pointe. I did have the long legs but unfortunately I was not as graceful as I had hoped to be. I was more like a newborn colt. When these wee ones put on their ballet shoes and the music started I saw my daughter really concentrating and moving through all of her positions like she had been doing it forever.

I was so proud of you sweetbug!

Church Christmas Party

Today we had our annual church Christmas party. This is something we all look forward to because Santa is there, there are tons of games to play with tons of prizes, alot of crafts to do, and a tableful of yummy holiday treats.

This year no one cried when they had to sit on or stand next to Santa!!! And best of all Kyle and I didn't have to be in the picture with them! This was our second visit with Santa, they went to visit him at the Bass Pro Shop a few weeks ago and we had the same success. Isabella looked a little frightened during that visit but was brave for her brother and sister. As we walked away she said to me, "Mom, Santa is missing his finger!" Turns out this is why she was so freaked out. Wondering if this was true I walked back around and sure enough poor guy was missing his index finger and he wasn't wearing gloves so all could see. Problem is I was worried that we would always have to drive around town to find a Santa with a missing index finger. Kyle told her that he must have lost it when showing the elves how to make toys and that Santa was so magical it was probably going to grow back (I love this guy!). Well it worked because today it wasn't even an issue and she didn't even ask why he still had all of his fingers.

Her special request from the balloon man: a heart bracelet

His special request from the balloon man: a sword with a holster to keep it in!

Love the face painting!

Margaret loved her tree.

Can you guess who this little guy wanted to be...

cutest Rudolph I ever did see!

I love that this gal still loves her pigtails!

Gingerbread House

Tonight the girls and I decided to get a little crafty!!!

Kyle has worked nights all week and we put Walter's whiney bottom to bed and had a sugar filled girls night in:)

The girls had been wanting to make a Gingerbread house since the Christmas season began and tonight we whipped it together with some graham crackers and yummy sweets.

I thought they turned out pretty darn good. I am surprised that so much candy ended up on the houses because of how much they were shoveling in as they worked!

Isabella's candy coated cottage!

Margaret's sidewalk of sweet treats!

Loved doing this activity with my girls! As we were working Isabella said, "This is the best night ever!" I love when my kiddos appreciate the little things in life:)

The Ice at Park Place

A couple of nights ago we took the kids ice skating!

This is something that the girls have been begging to do for quite some time but we had to plan it on a night when Kyle was home. I love to ice skate, just not when I am four months pregnant and have a 1 1/2-year-old to chase after. We took them to The Ice at Park Place because it is a much smaller rink than at Crown Center and on a week night hoping there would be less people. I just wanted their first experience to be a positive one.

We had success, there were only about ten other people skating that night and the weather was perfect, not too cold but just cold enough to enjoy some hot chocolate.

Isabella went way beyond my expectations! She loved being on the ice and by the end of the night she was skating on her own.

My little bitty Margaret did a great job too for a gal that just turned three.

This was by far her favorite part of the night!

Taking a rest.

My little man was very upset that he couldn't skate. He literally threw himself down into a rage of a fit everytime I had to chase him off of the ice. Is this what a red headed temper is like????? HOLY COW! Kyle did take him for a spin around the rink but was told by the staff that was probably not a good idea.