Summer in December

There are many reasons we wanted to move back to Arizona.  My family is here.  Martin's family is a short drive away.  The schools are great.  The scenery is gorgeous.  But we can't leave out the awesome weather.  After suffering through eight long years of snow storms, ice showers, rain, humidity, and overall gloomy days in Virginia -- where a cloudless sky and a day at the was a rarity -- we are thoroughly enjoying our fist "winter" back in Phoenix.  Case in point: December.  It does get chilly, but for the most part, we are finding ourselves sans jackets and our snow shovel and ice scrapers are relegated to the back cabinet in our garage.  What's even better, is the year long warm temps allow this: regular weekend trips to the nearby playground in a long sleeved t-shirts with the sun shinning on us.   

Spoiled Rotten

Someone got entirely too many presents for Christmas.  And it wasn't me.  Peyton was spoiled so rotten I'm not sure we can ever go back.  From her fancy new backyard playground, to the baby stroller and changing table, to the bathroom vanity with hair dryer and makeup, I'm not sure there is a toy left she doesn't have.

Waiting on Santa... 

Showing Scott some love...

Let the opening begin. 

Peyton insisted on wearing her new fairy tutu and winged shirt as soon as she opened it.  Over her clothes.

And then insisted on wearing her new monogramed robe as well.

It never fails...the box is the favorite toy of the night.

Attempt #1 at a family picture.

Attempt #2.

Christmas Eve with Nohnee and GeeGee.

More presents.

Stimulation overload.

Checking out her new playground, courtesy of Santa and his elves.

More presents? 

  

Santa or Satan?

Twelve months since her last encounter with the man in the red suit and Peyton still hadn't overcome her fears.  She had three chances with SC this year.  First up, her visit at Kierland.  She talked a big game leading up to her turn on his lap, saying she was going to give Santa a hug and kiss.  But when it came time for her to shine, she froze and freaked.  

Get your creepy gloved hands off of me!

The second chance came at Martin's work Christmas party.  Even though this was probably the safest Santa of all, Peyton wasn't buying it.

I told you I didn't like this guy.  Why must you insist on making me sit on his lap?!?

Peyton's last chance came at Grandma and Grandpa's house - where Santa paid a visit a few days before Christmas.  Although her initial reaction was the same, after seeing her cousin Scott cozy right up to him, Peyton re-thought her distrust.  She slowly warmed up to him, and after getting a really cool Leapfrog Ipad, she decided to give Santa a break, and kiss him on the cheek.  

Hmm.  This guy sure is persistent.  

I dunno Mommy.  He still creeps me out.  But he did bring presents.

Success!!

Christmas Festivities

I'm still playing catch-up, and the post about Christmas is proving very intimidating because of the sheer number of pictures to sort through and the insane amount of holiday activities in which we participated.  So, in order to keep my sanity, I will have to break the Christmas post down into a few sections.

First up, house decor and pre-Christmas antics.  

Christmas came just a few short weeks after we moved into the house.  While there were still hundreds of boxes to be unpacked, I went a little Christmas crazy and insisted we put up the majority of our decorations.  Unfortunately, the artificial tree we had in Virginia was entirely to small for our new house.  So, we bought a giant 12' real tree to fill the space.  And, Martin did his best to kill himself by hanging lights on the outside of our house.  All the decorations weren't perfect, but if definitely helped make this Christmas feel like we were at home.

Our 12 foot tree half way decorated.  Two tree stands, a flooded floor, two tree skirts, and a whole lot of headaches.  This quickly became known as the tree from hell.

Making the home feel Christmas cozy.

Our sad little fake tree made found a decent home in the library.

Ratatouille - our Elf - finds a spying spot in the ceiling fan.  Peyton had a blast finding him each morning.  

Clark Griswold?  Is that you?

Hanging lights...

Casa Hellmer on Christmas Eve.

Zoolights!  It was a huge success last year, and this year lived up to the hype as well.

LIGHTS!!

Someone is all hopped up on goofballs.

Christmas party for the kids at Daddy's office.

No rest for Santa's special elf.  Santa delivered Peyton's present a few days early to ensure Daddy had enough time to build it.  Good thing - it took Daddy, Umple Jim, and Grandpa close to three days to complete.