The Seelman Family Christmas

We travelled up to Flora on Sunday for the Seelman Christmas. Uncle Dave, Aunt Marla, Uncle John, Aunt Sara, Great Grandma, Grandma, and Papa were there.

First activity: Helicopter flying...makes us all giggle!

On with the presents!

Illini's biggest fan: Ruth Hall

Grace helped everyone open their presents.

Every year Andrew gets more tools from my parents. They love to work outside and keep busy with projects...never a restful day. Andrew hates projects and prefers restful days...He loves his Christmas presents from the in-laws!

Grandma made Grace an apron to wear while she's cooking in her new kitchen.

A PILLOW PET! We've been talking about Pillow Pets for months now and she finally has one! That darn commercial!

Grandma & Papa also got Grace a shiny new red tricycle. She has shortened it to just "cycle"...this summer should be fun!

Aunt Sara, Grace. & Uncle John

Grandma, Grace, & Papa

The Schwengels

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was spent at our house. Gracie woke up at a normal time...yes, how much longer can we enjoy that? We told her that it was Jesus' Birthday...this she understood...Birthday=Presents & Party.

She really wanted to open the big present first but we saved it for last.

Books go here...bows go here...wrapping paper here...very systematic.

Finally, the BIG present...a kitchen!

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Grace got to help Murphy open his presents.

Stocking!

Then we had a delicious brunch with Grandma, Papa, & Great Grandma and Magaw, Papaw, & Tammy. Seriously ate too much!

Clean up crew

Such fun!

CANDY!

Happy!

Great Grandma Hall

Great Grandma Hall Wii Bowling! :)

It was so nice to just be together on Christmas...anxiously awaiting our siblings arrivals to Illinois to celebrate with them.

Christmas Dress Pictures

I just love seeing Grace all girlied up in a dress and bows! She looked so pretty. I tried so hard last year to get a good picture of her by the tree in her dress and it did not go well...very frustrating. This year I bribed the cutie with candy for some smiles...brilliant!

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at Magaw & Papaw's. Grace received an early Christmas present...a kitchen in her "house". The lower shelf of Magaw's pantry has been converted to Grace's play house!

Grace's First Movie...Tangled!

On December 23rd we took Grace to see Tangled. We met the Vancil crew... It was Josh's first movie too! Grace loved it. She was very curious about all the people sitting behind us but made it through the whole movie without any major catastrophes.

Small Group Christmas Party

Our church small group had an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party at the Sambursky's. A good time was had by all.

Joel & Sam

Joel, Cory, & TJ

John & Karley

Mandi, Michelle, Tara, Jackie, Meghann

Crissy, Karley, Emily, & Sam

Grace's 2nd Birthday!

Grace had a wonderful 2nd Birthday! She woke up to balloons in her room, presents, and a pancake breakfast. She got an activity table and wasted no time using it...coloring, stickers, reading books. We played all morning and then had a party that evening.

Her party was Elmo themed. Magaw. Papaw, Grandma, Papa, Tammy, John, Jessi, Sam, Josh, Sam & Laney all came to celebrate. We had a great time!