Our favorite neighbors from the old house on Village Drive, Kara and Jeff, came to visit and hang out with our kiddos.
Kivrin wasn’t too cooperative when Jeff offered to hold her, but we figured out that she wanted to play instead. Kara entertained her with tissue paper and that reliable standby– swinging hair!!
Later on, Grandma Denise came for a Christmas visit.
Her traditional gift to Dan– a Simpson’s Christmas decoration– was a cool ornament this year.
Kivrin can’t wait to grow into this one — an Illinois sweathshirt just like mom and dad’s!
Kivrin had fun playing and opening her presents.
Colin got a floor hockey set, which was the funnest thing ever! He and Grandpa had to play it right away.
Kivrin liked everything– the people to hold her and smile at her, the wrapping paper, and her new musical balls that are just the right size for her!
Leigh Anne and Colin arrived early at Papa Staley’s house to travel between two big snowstorms in Milwaukee.
We made sugar cookies, rolling out the dough, cutting shapes, baking, icing and adding sprinkles. Kivrin watched from the highchair, and later she just snuggled with Grandpa.
Under the Christmas tree is the train– Colin loves to help turn it on and off and even baby Kivrin liked to watch it and reach for it as it went by.
Some of Leigh Anne’s friends came over and everyone shared silly smiles.
We ventured to St. Clair square in search of yummy lunch at Olga’s and so Colin could tell Santa to bring a firetruck for him. No trip to the mall could be complete without a little breastfeeding in public though.
We squished into Dan’s car for the drive across Missouri, where I learned the painful lesson that none of my favorite traveling restaurants have places to change diapers in their restrooms. What was Taco Bell thinking? So tragic…
The police car stops, and backs up a few feet, even with our house. Oh no! I’ve already scooped up the baby and am ready to get inside when the officer’s voice calls out. “Baby’s first snow?” he asks, with a smile. We say yes, and chuckle with him and go inside, relieved that he understood!!
Kivrin Anne 
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