Merry Christmas!

We didn't get to sleep in at all this Christmas, 

the girls were very excited to see what Santa brought them... Barbies!!

Glitter Hair Barbie for Elyse

And the "Pink" Barbie for Brynn

Posing with their Barbies

We got the girls small tablets this year, with the thought that they will be very handy for our up coming trip to Hawaii

Only part way through the gifts and things have come to a complete halt, as they wanted to listen to music on their tablets!
I was thinking ahead and charged them the day before and loaded them up with music.

Grandpa surveying the chaos! and I am sure reflecting back on when we were kids; they haven't gotten to share Christmas with little ones since we were there with Elyse 3 years ago!

Once we got back into gift opening it was a Shopkin kinda Christmas. The girls both got lots, and they love them!

Brynn can barely hold on to her Shopkins

This Frozen outfit, Brynn loved! I think she wore it for 2 days straight until it was too dirty to wear again and then once we washed it, she wore it again until it needed washing again!

Elyse's new outfit

Zoomer Puppies were on the girls Christmas list this year to Santa, but Grandma and Grandpa Stokes got them for the girls. So much fun, as they can "talk and play" with each other as well as playing with the girls.

The girls very excited for the fancy makeup from Uncle Dan and Auntie Leah

Elyse the glamour girl; Pink hair chalk, wearing her new stick-on earrings and putting on her new lipstick!

Christmas Eve

The girls got to open a couple of gifts on Christmas Eve. 

The first ones were from my mom and dad; ornaments for them to hang on the tree. 

The second was from Scott's mom and dad, traditional Christmas PJ's!

We then set out a snack for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph!

After a few stories it was time for bed, we had very excited girls but the managed to fall asleep right away.

A better photo of the ornaments my mom made for the girls. A Christmas Elephant for Elyse (her favourite animal) and Olaf the snowman from Frozen for Brynn. They turned out amazing!

Opening their gifts from Scott's mom and dad

Silly girls posing with their PJ's

Brynn was very excited to put out a carrot for Rudolph!

All ready for Santa to come, their stockings laid out by the tree

At Troll Resort for Christmas Dec 21- Jan 2

We spent Christmas this year at my parent place. The girls and I spent a couple of weeks there this summer, and had just as much fun this time! 

There was just enough snow for the ski hill to open so we headed out really early Monday morning, Sparkle our scout elf came along for the ride. The girls are amazing travelers, just keep them entertained with snacks, books and a little screen time and they can go for hours with out getting out of the truck.

It was wonderful to spend time with my mom and dad, and of course we got to go skiing with my dad one day when he wasn't busy working at the hill. Christmas was fantastic and the girls got really spoiled by everyone. A very relaxing holiday as there is no cell signal at the house, so texts or calls! 

Sparkle along for the ride! The girls loved that she was in the truck when we left

Our little ski bunnies!

My mom made aprons for the girls, and they wore them all the time and did a little "helping" in the kitchen

I love that the fabric my mom used for Elyse's apron is Hanna Montana!
Elyse just liked it for the pink colour and pattern

We got a little bit more snow while at mom and dad's. Needed more for better skiing, but every little bit helps

The girls relaxing and enjoying hot chocolate after coming in from sledding

This was the Elyse's favourite way to get down to the ski hill, Grandpa took her and her ski gear down and we met her there.

Lots of crafts and activities at Grandma's

Brynn and I riding the tow

She loves skiing!

Elyse even got a lesson from mom and dad's neighbor Dianne; she is almost doing parallel turns

Brynn and Scott taking a GT sledding break

Brynn's ride up the hill, GT'ing is easy when you don't have to walk back up!

The crew headed back up the hill for another run on the GT's

The view from mom and dad's back deck

The frost on the trees was amazing, when back lit from the sun; it probably helps that it was close to -30 C

Grandma and the girls making cookies

We were all invited down to the lodge for an after hours community potluck.
My dad loved sitting around the fire with the girls

Grandpa and the girls enjoying the fire after dinner

Elyse and Brynn got to help decorate the tree when we arrived. Elyse was very proud of the tree and all the presents she put under it.

The tree all ready for Christmas!

Elyse's New Hair Cut

Elyse requested to get her hair cut. Her reasoning was "I'm older now, I need to look different!"

It is super easy to brush now, lots of hair bands and hair clips as it doesn't fit in to a pony tail.

She loves it!!

Brewery Kids Christmas Party

The Brewery held its annual Kids Christmas Party again this year. The girls love going and getting to meet Santa.

Marshmallow Snowmen!! Yummy!

They love their balloon dogs

There is an artist that comes every year and does caricatures of the kids.

These are the ones from this year

I didn't have to do the photos this year of the kids and Santa (I've volunteered the last 2 years to take all the photos, it was nice to just enjoy the girls meeting Santa)

Very excited girls! They loved their play-mobile sets they got from Santa.