Cupcapes with Grandma

Nope, it's not a typo. Allison calls them cupcapes. :) She had been asking to make them ever since Grandma took a tally of what dessert everyone wanted at Thanksgiving dinner. But, since Grandma was sick on Thanksgiving, she wasn't able to make them with Allison and had to give her a raincheck. I think Allison got the better end of the deal by waiting until Christmas to do them. She got to do a cupcape Christmas tree instead of just regular old cupcapes! Here are some pictures of the process.
(FYI - They made them one night and then decorated them the next.)

The design:

Time to ice the cupcakes.

Step #2 complete!

Time to decorate.

The finished product!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!

Tyler's Wish List

Tyler: I'm going to tell Santa I want a remote control rocket and remote control T-Rex for Christmas.
Me: You already have a remote control T-Rex.
Tyler: No, a medium sized one. One that doesn't have a cord.
Me: I don't know if they make them without cords.
Tyler: No, SAAAANTA. I know the guy.

*Keep scrolling for another catch-up post!*

Christmas Portraits

I was just recently emailed the proofs for the Christmas portriats we had made of Tyler and Allison, and I wanted to share a few of my favorites.

Allison would have NOTHING to do with Mommy wearing these Santa sleeves and gloves, so she got an adorable close-up instead!

Christmas Morning

Tyler and Allison were not allowed to see the surprises waiting for them under the tree until after eating breakfast. When the time finally came, we made them wait in the other room so we could get the video camera going to capture their initial reactions. We gave specific directions for them to wait by the stairs until we said "GO!" After a few short moments, Allison couldn't take the suspense any longer and came barreling in ahead of Tyler. Good thing we got the cameras ready fast!

Hey Allison, look behind you!

Little Tylerman awaited the signal, even when Allison bailed on him!

Once there, he immidately found the section of the toys left for him by Santa! The T. Rex Rampage race track set and a Walkin' and Talkin' Lightning McQueen.

This is a pretty neat Lightning if I do say so myself. He can do so many different combinations of moves, including dancing, talking, driving backwards and in circles!

You can tell Tyler is very pleased!

Allison got her very own "Binka Bell" 4-wheeler so she can ride outside with Tyler now too!

Allison also got a baby doll from Santa. Her name is "Baby Ally." She was in love from the first moment she saw her.

And made sure she was well fed before moving on to unwrapping other presents. It looks like Allison has a big job ahead of her to keep her safe from the vicious T. Rex!

Posing with all the Christmas treasures!

Now onto opening the wrapped presents...

Tyler was so excited to find one with his name on it!

He got books that feature him as the main character in the story - so fun!

This purse is one of the gifts purchased with the gift card that Grandma and Grandpa Tholkes gave Allison.

And she loved adoring herself in the mirror.

And last, but certainly not least, they got to see what goodies were left for them in their stockings!

Christmas '08 - finally continued

I'm not sure why it's been such a challenge for me to blog lately, but it has. So here I am, STILL reporting on Christmas. I feel lame, but I can't move on and leave these posts out. I'd eventually like to turn my blog into a blurb, so these posts will need to be here! So here is how Christmas went in Georgia this year.
Grandma and Pawpaw Hamby wanted the kids to come over and help decorate the tree with them this year. Afterwards, they were each given an early Christmas gift. They were SO excited by this news!

Tyler got a Lightning McQeen snow globe that he has wanted for about a year now. He discovered that he "needed" one for his room last Christmas when Lana got one from her Auntie in Utah. Too bad he tripped while holding it no more than 30 minutes after opening it, resulting in a broken Lightning snow globe and one sad little boy! Luckily we were able to get another one during the after Christmas sale for a great price!

Allison was also super pleased with her gift - a My Melody purse. She was more than willing to model it for us too!

On Christmas Eve, we attended a party with my mom's side of the family. We have a yummy dinner and do a fun ornament exchange. We also took a couple pictures with my 91-year-old Grandma!

She's amazing for 91. She still gets around and does everything on her own!

I will be reporting on Christmas morning in my next post, but for Christmas night we got together with my mom and dad and my sister's family (along with Grandma and Grandpa Hadley, who were visiting) for food and more present opening. Here are Tyler and Allison opening gifts from Auntie Vanessa, Uncle Jon, Keilana, and Kayden.

I thought this picture of Lana and Allison having a little girl time was adorable. Allison loves her Lana!

Then it was time to open gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Hadley. Tyler and Allison were exstatic to have them come and stay with us again for Christmas this year!

Tyler got a bucket of Cars themed games and a Lightning McQueen laptop! What DON'T they make in Cars?!

Allison got her 3rd baby doll and a Little People Airport!

Allison is lucky that her Grandma and Grandpa Hadley love her so much. They paid $6 for a small container of watermelon in California and brought it all the way with them here, so that she could enjoy her favorite fruit on Christmas! Doesn't that face just make it worth it though?! ;)

For New Year's, we headed up to our cabin in North Carolina. While we were there, the kids got the rest of their Christmas presents from Grandma and Pawpaw Hamby. They decided to do it Scavenger Hunt style and hide all the gifts for them to find. It was a blast!

Here is Allison locating her first gift!

This is the classic look given by Tyler when he is genuinely surprised and happy about something. He was overjoyed to find his first gift hiding in the microwave!

Allison got some adorable outfits to add to her collection. Each time she opened one, she modeled it for everyone!

Tyler actually already knew he was going to be getting this Lightning pillow, yet still shows so much enthusiasm. He is such an appreciative little guy!

Tyler and Allison really are two very lucky and loved little kids!

Christmas '08 - Better Late than Never!

After the holiday madness came to a close, I had great intentions of reporting on all of our holiday fun. However, my laptop's power cord decided it would no longer be of use to me and died. Therefore, I was left getting my online fixes from Billy's laptop, which I am unaccustomed to using. I found this a good enough reason to postpone blogging even longer. BUT - my sweet Billy ordered me a new power cord and here I am, up and blogging again. So for anyone who is still interested, here is Christmas...Hadley style!
It started out like any ordinary Christmas...

And then I took on the feat of flying with two kids to California...SOLO! We all made it in one piece and were ready for some fun! The very next day, we made our trip to Disneyland.

In the days that followed, there was partying, present unwrapping, a visit with Santa, consumption of yummy holiday food and goodies, and more present unwrapping!
The first event was Billy's family Christmas get-together where we do a dinner, Christmas program, and present opening with Billy's mom's side of the family. Great Grandma and Grandpa Farish got Tyler and Allison some fun things including books, toys, and special camels that they brought back all the way from Jerusalem!

Of course Grandma and Grandpa Tholkes stocked Allison's closet with beautiful clothes and dresses, and got Tyler some super cool T. Rex attire! They also gave them each their very own gift cards to puchase some things once we were back home.

Tyler and Allison also got presents from Great Aunt Kandee and Uncle Marc, Auntie Andrea and Uncle Damian, and Auntie Brooke, Uncle Phillip, Alyzziah, and Alexandrya!

The next family get-together is the yearly Kartchner (Billy's grandma's side of the family) Christmas party. We indulge in delicious food, enjoy a talent show, and get a surprise visit from Santa! All of Billy's siblings were able to be there this year (something that hasn't happened in the 6 1/2 years I've been in the family), so it was definitely picture worthy!

I have a dollar to give to anyone who can guess Santa's identity! It will be in the mail tomorrow...

I was even allowed to take a turn on Santa's lap! I hope I didn't cut off the circulation too badly!

Allison took a little break from all the commotion to play some tunes.

Next comes our traditional visit to Bob's Big Boy restuarant with Billy's mom and crew. It is a must to enjoy one of their famous hamburgers on each and every trip to California!

Allison isn't a fan of Big Boy, but Tyler loves him!

Before heading back home to GA, we made a stop by Grandma and Grandpa Hadley's to open presents from GG-Ma Kay and Auntie Jackleen. (Grandma and Grandpa Hadley were coming to GA for Christmas, so Tyler and Allison would open their presents from them at that time.)

To be continued...