Meijer Gardens - Holiday Style

Hi All,
We got a chance to visit Meijer Gardens while their holiday display was still up. They had trees and other holiday decorations there representing several countries around the world. Each display came with a placard that identified the country it represented, what their holiday greeting is (in their native language) and gave a history of some of their holiday traditions. The displays were both beautiful and interesting! I got pictures of my favorites and my very own nationalities, German and Italian.

I don't believe I have any Russian in me, but the Russian nesting dolls are favorites of mine! I finally bought some holiday styled ones for myself this year.

Drew and Bree enjoying the displays from the stroller - no chance of them getting out to "explore" the trees on their own! 

Oh, and I finally put Bree's hair in some pigtails. I think it makes her look like a totally different girl! Not sure why I didn't do it sooner. Oh yeah, maybe because she hates having her hair brushed or touched in any way.

This is Italy's display - a beautiful nativity. In Italy, the nativity is the single most important sign of the Christmas season. Buon Natale!

Here is Germany's tree. In Germany, some believe the first child to spot the pickle ornament on the tree receives an extra gift and begins the unwrapping of presents. We may have to try that in future years!

Here's the bunch, tired and ready to head home.

I love Meijer Gardens in every season!

22 Months

Hi All,
22 Months! Can you tell how impossible the side by side poses are getting for me to take? The photographer did a wonderful job last week, so I'm not sure what my excuse is. Perhaps we are all pictured out after the holidays. Anyway, here are a few more shots from our "22 Months" day...

Here's Drew on a working lunch

Another feeble attempt at a nice side by side shot

Drew "cheesing" for the camera - he loves to say "Cheese!"

 Bree not up for it

And my fave pic of the day - the kids piled on to do some relaxing!

In our unofficial weigh in, Drew weighs 29 pounds and Bree weighs 25 pounds.

More Christmas!

Hi All,
Well, the Christmas celebration continues! (I think this makes four celebrations in four days.) We got to see our good friends the Giacomellis today. We enjoyed dinner together, and Connor, Drew, and Bree all had fun goofing around together. Here are the little goof offs.....

Manning Christmas 2010

Hi All,
We celebrated Christmas afternoon and evening with the Mannings. Drew and Bree sure enjoyed playing with their cousins. We got multiple offers to babysit from Cooper and Conner, for pay of course. It's only a matter of time before we take them up on that!

Little Santas at play

And no one could resist the jump house

"Look! It's chocco!"

Cooper proving he is capable of babysitting Drew

The new kitchen - hours of fun!

Chef Carter helps out

We love bath toys!

Bree and Opa posing

Bree checking out the newly assembled wheels

Our annual Manning family photo

Christmas Morning 2010

Hi All,
We celebrated Christmas at home bright and early on Christmas day. As soon as the kids woke up, we didn't waste any time opening presents. We then grabbed breakfast, played a bit more and were off to deliver meals on wheels. The deliveries were smooth, and Drew and Bree were angels during the ride. Hallelujah!

Drew is all over the gift opening thing

And Bree is ready for more

Inflation in progress - but the kids couldn't wait!

Is Dad allowed in there?

Christmas Eve 2010

Hi All,
Here is our Christmas Eve in pictures. I think there was some sort of bet on how many pictures my mom would take (under or over 100). The end result - 123! (Thirty were using the auto-shoot function, do those count???) Mom, you know we love your pictures!

The flashlights were excellent entertainment, pre-present opening of course

Our family shot

Our big family shot

Someone is getting a pillow pet

And loving it!

 Fishing anyone?

Bree is ready!

Conducting some serious business on her new computer

Chad looks very happy - wonder what he's up to!

A gift opening frenzy

Marc and Sarah take a break in the action

And the newly engaged couple - congrats Darren and Melissa!

Hey, someone managed to get a picture of my Mom!

Bree and Papa share a laugh

It was only a matter of time before Drew found something to play with on the tree

I love Bree's long flowing locks here

"I've got it all, really."

Another Christmas Photo Shoot

Hi All,
Well we got a studio Christmas photo shoot under our belt, none too soon! We started the day by getting Drew a haircut. I wish I had taken my camera, because he was perfectly behaved this time and looked so cute in the barber chair. When he finished, the stylist brought him two balloons, one for him and one for his sister, even though she was at home with Dad.
We then made our way to the studio. The kiddos did exceptionally well, and I couldn't be more pleased with the results of the pictures. As usual, I bought more than I should have and was able to get the disk of the originals with my order. Here are some of my many favorites. I think they really capture their personalities!