Christmas and Family Fun!!!

With Christmas only a few weeks away our social calendar was packed full! From events, to luncheons, to parties, we were fully immersed in the holiday season.


One of the first events we got to attend was at Dad's club in Palm Valley. It was a winter festival where we got to eat "Breakfast with Santa." Macie and I were so excited to see Santa all week that when Saturday finally rolled around we could barely contain ourselves during the 45 minute drive in the car. When we walked into the Gym it looked like we had been magically transported to a winter wonderland. Everywhere you looked there were Christmas activities going on .




After sitting down for breakfast we got in line to take some pictures with SANTA!!! While waiting, I got to write him a letter and inside I informed him of my desire to have a "princess bike with a baby carrier."




I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with Santa, but Macie went BALLISTIC!!! She could not stop shouting for Santa, and when we were finally in his lap couldn't stop saying "heydo Saunta". It took Mom and an elf quite some effort to pry her out of his arms when our turn was over.


Macie and I spent the next 2 hours jumping in the bounce houses, playing games, decorating cookies and ornaments, etc. One of our favorite games was the snowball toss. We got to throw ice balls (Styrofoam balls chilled by ice cubes) at the snowman.

This was BY FAR one of Macie's favorite games because she got to throw something.

We had an amazing morning, but none of the amazing games, food, or entertainment seemed to excite Macie quite like her visit with Santa.

Luckily Dad has "the hookup" at the club, and we got a private session with Santa before going home!!

Our family spent the remainder of the weekend completing the finishing touches on our Christmas decorations at home. Mid week Mom took Macie and I to the Christmas festival at the Church down the street from our house. They had tons of activities set up, but at my request all 3 of us waited in line so that I could go sledding (yes, they had SNOW in Arizona)!!! Macie didn't enjoy standing in line, so instead she made herself comfortable on the curb.

I followed suit, but only because she got tons of attention from the crowd.

When it was finally my turn I had to climb up the stairs like a big girl since Mom and Mace weren't allowed on top of the structure. I mustered up my courage and did it all by myself!!!

Afterwards I got cold and insisted we move on the some new activities, so Mom took us to view the live Nativity scene. I was SO excited to see Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus, that I stayed in the manger for over half an hour talking with them.

Even the Shepard's with there with the Angel.

Next to the manger was a large petting zoo with all sorts of animals. Macie couldn't get enough of the chickens and bunnies,

and although I stopped by a made sure to pet a bunny, I lost interest quickly and returned to the manger.

Where I insisted on posing for a picture with another Shepard.

Mom finally pried me away from the manager with promises of cookies, but before we left I made her promise that she would buy me a nativity scene for my bedroom (thanks to Grandma Joanie I now have one that sits on my nightstand.)

Inside I got to decorate and eat a cookie as promised. They were fun to decorate, but even more fun to eat.

Macie wasn't allowed to decorate her own cookie, but Mom let her eat one along with some of the toppings. Shortly after, Macie slipped into a sugar coma and laid down on the floor of the auditorium while I played Christmas themed games.

Christmas activities kept on coming, and on Saturday we went down to Tempe to participate in the Reindeer Run put on by Lifetime Fitness. Costumes were optional, but Mom took the opportunity to force the family to dress up. She insisted that we use the story "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" for our inspiration. She went a little overboard, even turning our jogger into a sled.

Mom dressed up as the Grinch (with a bright green tutu and bows), Dad was the dog Max, and Macie and I were Who's (Macie Lou Who and Riley Lou Who).

Our jogger was outfitted with presents, a moose, Christmas music, and treats. According to Mom the 5K was the LONGEST 30 minutes of her life. I guess pushing two screaming and crying kids (we only lasted 5 min before I started hitting and Macie started pulling my hair) up and down hills in a double jogger through congested paths of people wasn't all that easy. After we finished the 5K it was time for the kids 1K that both Macie and I signed up for.

Dressed with our numbered bids and athletic shoes Dad showed Macie and I how to stretch before the race so that we wouldn't pull any muscles.

With race time around the corner I was ready to go!!!

Macie was a little more interested in our surroundings, but was ready to go when the race began.

Dad and I finished the 1K in record time and I proudly wore my metal to show off my accomplishment.

It took Macie a little longer to cross the finish line, but with Dad's help she made it.

Once she completed the race she was greeted by Santa who placed a finishers metal over her head.

Mom and Dad were really proud of the two of us for finishing the first of the many races we will compete in!

For the rest of the morning we walked around, ate, and even entered a costume contest. Can you believe we won a prize?!?!?! Before leaving the event the family said goodbye to Santa and gave him Christmas hugs.

Aunt Hayley and Hollywood came into town that evening so we spent much of the following week showing her around town, and of course, showing off all the new things we have learned to do since she last saw us.

Macie has learned to push around babies in the stroller and has become quite a little mother.

I have perfected a flamingo stunt on my scooter,

and have even been helping Macie learn to ride.

Mom had a lot of fun dressing us up for the holidays this year. It was nice being in a warmer climate this year, that way we were able to ditch all the hats, gloves, and overcoats for short sleeves, tights, and of course, tutu's!!!

While Aunt Hayley was here we got to take her to music class with us. We were both excited to have someone watch as we played instruments and sang special Christmas songs.

Aunt Hayley had a fun time at class and even joined in a few of the Christmas songs.

Over the course of the week we did lots of fun stuff including visiting the mall and sending more letters to Santa- one could never be to careful when it comes to making sure Santa understood that I wanted a princess bike wtih a baby carrier this year.

I don't know if Aunt Hollywood was too excited to see us, but we sure missed her these last couple of months.

A few days before christmas we found out that Grandma Judy had been snowed in the town of Mammoth and wouldn't be able to drive to Arizona this Christams. We were really sad that Grandma wouldn't be here with us, but we made a Gingerbread house in her honor (that is one of my favorite things to do with Grandma each year).

While Mom made dinner she supervised Aunt Hayley and I as we decorated the house. As you can see, it is MUCH MORE FUN decorating with Aunt Hayley than Mom...

Not only did she let me eat the frosting, but she let me do things ALL BY MYSELF (something that Mom doesn't do often, due to the fact that she is a control freak and is too afraid of a mess.)

When Dad came home from work he was super impressed by all the activities we had going on in the kitchen- from dinner to gingerbread to yummy Christmas cookies, we had done it all!!

As Mom always does, she insisted that Macie and I had a photo shoot in front of our tree before it got any more demolished (Macie couldn't refrain from taking ornaments and throwing them accross the room- keep in mind that glass and tile don't go well together).

The night before Christmas the whole family went to the early service at church to hear the story of baby Jesus's birth (I insisted taht I was old enough this year).

Macie and I made it about 20 minutes in the service and then became restless. We wanted to move around, and had enough Christmas singing, so Mom took us into the lobby to play with the other children who felt the same way (there were way to many to count). Aunt Hayley and Dad did a good job representing our family at the service.

At home that night we enjoyed a Christmas Eve dinner with the family and then all sat and ate Christmas cookies while watching the Grinch (a family tradition that Macie has taken quite the liking to)!!!

It was nice having everyone around to join in a Frankwick Family Christmas Eve tradition.

After the movie we all sat down to open one gift before bed.

Not only did all of us get Christmas Jammies, but Mom broke down (she has a HUGE aversion to screen printed princess items) and bought me a princess dress to wear at night over my jammies- I am so lucky!!!

Macie and I were super exctited to put on our new I love Santa jammies!!!

With new jammies in tow we all made our way upstairs to get ready for bed.

Dad and I were the first to put on our jammies and posed for a picture before heading down the stairs to write letters to Santa.

Mom stayed upstairs dressed in her Christmas apron and put Macie to bed.

Downstairs the family worked on our letters to Santa.

Before I went to bed I placed my letter, along with cookies and chocolate milk on the mantle for Santa and his reindeer.

Mom and Dad were so proud of all my accomplishments this year, and love the kind big sister I have become!

We all took turns posing for picutres with one another.

And as you can imagine I was the prop in most of them.

We all woke bright and early the following morning exctied to start off the Christmas day.

After Christmas breakfast we sat down and opened our stockings.

Macie and I had some awesome stuff in our stockings, including lots of different musical instruments, and as he does every year, Santa placed an orange in the toe of each stocking.

After our stockings we opened the big gifts that Santa brought our family. I guess we were all good this year becuase Santa brought all the items that we wished for!!!

Here I am on my princess bike carrying my baby in the baby carrier!!!

Macie got a baseball tee and bat, Mom got a new camera, and Dad got a new surround sound system for his office!!!

We all took a break from presents to eat a mid morning snack, but returned a short time later to open the gifts we bought for one another. Of the favorites were the Chain saw Mom bought for Dad;

An assortment of princess dresses and heels;

and EVERY Disney princess ever created!!!!!!!!!!

Macie and I got an OSU hoodie from Aunt Hayley.

For the rest of the day we napped, ate, and goofed around.

Even Jackson shared in the fun.

at night we sat down for Christmas dinner, grateful that we were all together.

As expected, Macie enjoyed a pound of mashpotatoes,

and I saved my appetite for dessert.

Tired from a LONG day we crashed out early and got a good night's sleep. The next morning we woke up with a surprise visitor- Pa had drove out to see us!!!!

We all spent the moring spending time with one another.

I had a fun time goofin around with Pa.

In the afternoon we took Jackson to the park to play some ball. We brought Macie's Christmas present and Pa showed us how to hit off a tee.

Mace had other ideas on how to use the bat...

A crazy throw over the fence forced Dad to hop over and get the ball.

When Mom turned aroudn both Macie and I were doing the same...

That night we built a huge fire and spent time playing together.

Once Macie went to bed Mom let me stay up late and play "beauty shop" with Pa. I guess it was her favorite game to play when she was little.

After I was finished Pa looked like quite a fox!!!

Dad was envious of Pa's new do, so I made him look pretty too!!

It has been an amazing couple of weeks filled with fun and family, and I am more than grateful for all that our family was able to experience. The final week of 2010 should be filled with some more fun as Uncle Ryan and Aunt Liz are planning to visit us to ring in the New Year. I can only hope that next year will be as awesome as this one was!!!!!!!!!!