Closing out 2009...

With the Christmas season behind us Mom decided it was time to box up all of our holiday decorations. When the house was completed we moved to the bedrooms where she boxed up our Christmas attire. Before she could put away Macie's Christmas dress (the same one I wore for my first Christmas) she insisted upon taking some pictures. She began with Macie...




When I saw how much fun they were having I was adamant that I put it on and take some pictures as well. Surprise, surprise I was still able to fit into it...

Our household has been full of laughter as Macie can't seem to stay quiet. She has a really silly laugh, and if you listen closely you will hear her signature snort...

We are all hoping that snorting is a phase and that she will grow out of it (keep your fingers crossed)...

My empty house is a constant reminder that my family really has gone back home. I miss all of my house guests a lot and in their absence have had to satisfy my need for companionship with phone conversations. Grandma Judy has been telling me all about the warm weather in SD and how much fun she is having at the beach. I guess hearing it made me miss the water, so I kept asking Mom if we could go swimming. Since it is the middle of winter, and we are in Ohio, Mom was a little confused on how to fulfill my request.

Once I saw the steam pour out of mom's ears I knew that she must be in deep thought. After about 10 minutes she came up with a plan! She came downstairs with my swimsuit and told me to get dressed and get ready to go to the pool. I was so excited I could barley focus on putting on my suit.

When I was dressed she picked me up and took me up the stairs, I was a little confused until we made it to the bathroom. She had filled the tub up with water, and exclaimed: "here we are"...

It wasn't the beach, probably not even a close second, but it was better than nothing.

I had lots of fun swimming and am finally comfortable placing my face in the water. I am also getting pretty good at my strokes.

Aunt Hayley took Mom's Durango to Canada to visit John a few days after Christmas, so we were without a vehicle for about a week. It was a little tough being stuck indoors, and by the second day we started to get cabin fever. We tried to make the best of it and played in snow. The temperature has been in the teens so we were really cold, but the chill in the air was tolerable once I was bundled up in my snow gear.

I played in my house where I pretended to be warming up by a fire, but

the best way for me to stay warm was to jump on the trampoline. After Mom swept the snow off I practiced some of my moves. Check out the "biggest jump you have ever seen"...

On days when Dad was home we would play in the yard on my sled. I loved being pulled around the yard as Jax chased me.

Speaking of Jax, the two of us have been doing a lot of bonding since Mom is forced to let him in the house due to the cold weather. He keeps me company in my room while we read stories together.

Just when we were starting to get claustrophobic at home Mom's Christmas present arrived!!!I was so excited to have a new car, and couldn't wait to take the Tahoe for a spin.

I insisted upon sitting in the driver's seat so that I could drive around the block and test out my new ride.

After a quick hot lap Mom put my car seat in my new captain's chair and showed me the tricked out features that Dad bought for me.


Can you believe I have a TV in my car??? Dad laughs that with the Bose sound system it is almost as good as being in the theater. Next time Mom can't find Dad and me she will have a pretty good idea where we are and what we are doing...

Now that we are mobile once again we can resume the fun!

New Year's Eve came without much anticipation from the family this year, and only one of us managed to stay up to ring in the new year. In the morning Macie and I spent some time rocking out together as I am working on teaching her how to play the drums.

It's a new year and the Frankwick girls are ready for the upcoming fun! Mom and Dad promise that this new year will be full of new experiences, and exciting surprises.

"Welcome Christmas as we Stand Heart to Heart and Hand in Hand"

Mom and I had one day to clean up from our first wave of visitors and prepare for the second. Aside from the whir of the vacuum the house was eerily quiet and I was sad as I missed having house guests to play with. I helped Mom by vacuuming my own room and was appropriately rewarded- when the house work was finished, I got to pick a piece of candy off of the ginger bread house. Not only did the candy act as decoration, but it doubled as a yummy treat.




I went to bed that night looking forward to the Frankwick Family's arrival. I woke early in the morning, far too excited to stay asleep, to find Grandma Joanie sleeping in my room! I couldn't contain my excitement and began jumping up and down in my crib. We played together all morning; reading books and talking with one another. Downstairs I introduced her to Santa Claus and we both sat on his lap and told him what we wanted for Christmas. I informed him (as I have informed anyone who asks) I still wanted a princess kitchen.



After we ate breakfast Uncle Shawn came downstairs and the two of us caught up on some lost time. I wasn't the only one excited to see him...

After I wore him out he rested on the couch and spent some time with Macie.

As we were getting ready to go out for the morning Uncle Brad crept out of the basement (can you believe he never went to bed that night!?- he was too busy playing batman on the XBox). He hadn't seen me in about a year, and this was his first time meeting Macie, boy was he excited!


The family went to the mall to finish up some Christmas shopping (leave it to Mom to take care of things at the last minute). When we got back home I took a nap while Macie hung out with Uncle Shawn. By the smile on her face I guess she still likes him.

After my nap we all played around the house and even Jackson got in on the fun.

While dinner was in the oven the family took a walk around the block to look at the gingerbread house (a house a couple blocks away with amazing lights and figurines). I rode my tricycle and set the pace for the whole family.

Back at home Mom finished up dinner while the boys and I played some Guitar Hero.

Mom called for intermission and we all went upstairs to feast on our Christmas Eve dinner.

After I finished Mom let me eat the last piece of chocolate from my advent calendar. Though I was excited that Christmas was finally here, I must admit I was also sad that I no longer get to pull a piece of chocolate from the calendar every day.

Full and sluggish we moved into the family room to partake in a Frankwick Family (The Brian and Kristin Frankwick's) Christmas Eve Tradition: We watched Dr. Suess's How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Macie had never watched the Grinch before and couldn't take her eyes off the TV. I think she may have even enjoyed it more than Mom (who can, and does, recite the whole entire movie.)

When the Grinch was over we finished our last Christmas Eve tradition by opening one present. Dad told me that Santa Claus stopped by his work to drop off a special gift for me. Dad says Santa was far too excited to wait for tomorrow to give it to me. I was ecstatic when I opened the hula hoop- it was just like the ones at gymnastics!!! I entertained the family by showing off my moves.

Before bed the boys and I went back to the basement to finish our last set. My arms were tired due to all the guitar strumming from earlier so I moved to the mic. If you listen carefully you can hear me sing the words to "Master of Puppets."

After my bath I read Goodnight Moon to the family, said my prayers, and quickly went to sleep knowing that Christmas morning would soon be here.

I woke up with words of the Grinch in my head:

Welcome Christmas bring your cheer, cheer to all who's far and near, Christmas day is in our grasp so long as we have hands to clasp. Christmas day will always be, just as long as we have we!

It was finally here!

I was up a little earlier than usual so Mom brought up some breakfast (it was the first time I was ever allowed to eat food in my room) while Grandma and I Watched my Mickey's Christmas Music.

Macie must have heard Grandma Joanie and I having fun because she woke with a big smile ready to join in the fun! Mom Brags that Macie sleeps from 11pm to 7am every night and wakes up with a big smile on her face every morning. Big deal, it's not like it's hard...

Mom and Grandma Judy both call her a catalog ordered baby- whatever that means...

Around 9am Mom summoned the whole clan down to the kitchen for a family pancake breakfast. Check out the happy faces around the table.

I jokingly sang happy birthday to Brad (who looks a lot like Jesus), and brightened the mood around the sleepy breakfast table. After we were all fed we made our way to the family room...
I sprinted around the couch and found that Santa had come and filled our stockings!!!

When I got the green light I eagerly tore apart the contents of my stocking.

The pom poms were an exciting surprise and I showed off some holiday cheer.

It took me a while to finish going through my stocking, but when I was done I surveyed my pile and concluded that I made out pretty great. I got all the princess stuff I could have ever dreamed of... (too bad Mom says that my new shirt is only going to be an "indoor shirt")

Santa even left Macie a stocking which Dad helped her open.

She got a couple of really neat gifts, but nothing that peaked my interest, so I directed my attention back to my pile.




Uncle Shawn held Macie so that Dad could refocus his attention- I needed all eyes on me as I finished sorting through the presents Santa had brought.

Santa made me some pretty neat things in his workshop, but my favorite was the princess kitchen. It was amazing, and it even comes with a lady who tells me how to make different recipes- from stir fry and fruit salad to yummy pancakes, I am going to be a gourmet chef before you know it.

While I cooked some food for the family Macie opened her Santa gift. It was a new seat that allowed her to sit upright.

I couldn't stand the fact that Macie got something interesting, and had to check out what all the fuss was about. Macie gladly got out of the way (she was a little uncomfortable in the new device), and to every one's surprise I slid right in. Mom was once again was torn between two emotions; shock and humor.

Though I may be the size of a baby, I am able to do big girl things- like using the big girl potty all by myself. Mom thinks its funny that I insist on doing it alone, and that I have to place my butt all the way in the toilet.

We took a break from opening gifts to nap and rejuvenate. Mom said that the second wave of presents would resume after dinner. While Mom and Grandma Joanie worked on preparing a feast in the kitchen the rest of the family took the time to hang out and relax. I was so exhausted from the mornings' fun that I took an extra long nap- I guess dinner was finished while I was sleeping and everyone was eagerly waiting to eat. Uncle Shawn and Macie kept orbiting around the table like Jackson...

When I woke up I was hungry and ready for some more excitement so the family gathered around the dinner table as we feasted on turkey, potatoes, green beans,

and thanks to Grandma Joanie, my new favorite- holiday jello!!! It was amazing; 3 different layers of yummy goodness! I didn't want to eat anything else, but kept Mom happy by eating a little turkey and some mash potatoes as well.



That night we opened all the rest of my gifts, and boy did I make out! I got so many things from my family that I don't even know where to begin. Among my favorites were:

A camera from Grandma Joanie and the boys (it takes REAL pictures that I can edit and load to the computer!),

a personalized princess book from Grandma Judy,

an overnight bag filled with goodies from Grandpa Jerry and Cindy,

some princess pillows (my very first pillows) from Grandma Jean, and bride and groom replica dolls of Uncle Ryan and Aunt Liz! I really enjoy playing with the dolls and taking them to the wedding where they dance together.

Even Macie got some pretty neat items (all of which I plan on playing with once my new toys lose their allure.)

That night the family lounged around and played some of my new games. Uncle Shawn finally carried through on a promise he'd been making for months and took me fishing! I did pretty well for a first timer!

As I said my good night prayers I thanked God for all my wonderful family and friends who made this Christmas extra special.

The following morning Grandma, Shawn, and Brad got up early to spend time with Macie and I before they drove back to Wisconsin. I was sad they had to leave, but the fish were calling Uncle Shawn's name and he wanted to get in a few hours at the pole before going back to work on Monday. Uncle Brad and I spent some time being silly. Here I am giving him a friendly head butt (Mom can't figure out where I learned that, and I can't either to tell you the truth- I think I saw the guys do it during the football game.)

Grandma Joanie helped Macie try out some of my toys, her favorite was my new sit n spin.

Macie and I gave our Grandma Joanie great big hugs and told her how grateful we were that she came all this way to spend Christmas with us! Mom says that Christmas would not have gone so seamlessly without all of her help!!!

Even though it was dry outside it was still cold, so before I could walk the family out to the car I had to bundle up in the new snow suit Grandma Joanie brought for me.




We said our goodbyes and even faced the elements to wave to them as they drove out of sight. I think that everyone had a great Christmas at our house, and I hope that they come back to visit again soon.




With everyone gone the house seemed empty once again. Mom cleaned up the mess while Dad, Macie, and I hung out and watched some football. After a while Macie got bored and Mom grew tired of cleaning so she tried to have a photo shoot with Macie. It didn't go very well,as Macie wasn't in the mood to pose. Mom says she will work on her until she turns into a camera ham like me.

I don't know why she calls me a ham...

With the Christmas season behind us the family is focusing on getting ready for the New Year!!! Aunt Hayley will be coming home from San Diego tomorrow, and Mom's Christmas present will be arriving next week. Check back soon to find out what it is- trust me, Mom made out this Christmas and you will not want to miss this...