January 03, 2015

Christmas #3

After a really special week in Atlanta it was back on the plane (another crazy flight with our kiddos). We arrived home at about 10pm and the kids were excited to see if Santa left anything at our house. Turns out he did.....NEW BIKES! They were over the moon! 

You think Scarlett's excited :) about her new Barbie bike!
Cooper got a Thomas the Train bike
and Caroline got a new Barbie bike complete with a pink bike on her handlebars for her barbie! 
WHEW.......Christmas is officially over!!! Now to unpack and get this house put back together! We welcome the new year and the routine that Jan brings! Here's to a great 2015! 

The Pink Pig

We were able to squeeze a few last fun things in before we left to come home! Next up....going downtown to ride the pink pig. We never did this as kid's but ever since we have traveled home with our kids we have made it a point to go down and ride the pig! It's a fun tradition! 
Going after Christmas is the ticket....no line! 
Cooper's first time!


Here we go!



Cooper was super excited to be on the "train"
Scarlett liked the crazy pig mirrors
Later that day Mom and I took the girls to see Madeline's Christmas at a really neat little theatre
The girls loved it!
Caroline and Madeline
That night Patrick and I loaded up the kids and drove to my high school friend Sandy's house to have a holiday party with all of my oldest and dearest friends. 
WOW.....my how we have grown! Amazingly this picture was super easy to organize! 
What a great night! Thanks everyone for making the drive and Sandy for hosting! 

Family Pictures

We woke up Saturday morning and headed down to Kristen's parents amazing backyard for family pictures. (yes, we were at Tommy and Paige's....thanks mom and dad for getting them all ready for pictures, you guys really are the best!) A certain two kiddos were especially difficult that morning.....you will never guess which two :)
Gma and Gpa with all the grandkids
Jimmy's family
our party of 5
Tommy and Paige
Mom and Dad

the original Maurer Family
girl's team
boy's team
siblings
cousins
the whole crew
Brody
cute fellas
I mean really......these two! 
COOP
Grandpa and Grant
Brody
Caroline
oh Daddy is so fun! 
Scar mar
Grant
The swing was a BIG hit!
Brody
Caroline

It's nice to have some new family photos! 

American Girl Doll and Sibling Night Out

The day after Christmas Grandma, Caroline and I headed to the American Girl store and cafe to spend her Santa money and Christmas money from Aunt Laura. She was SO excited!  
There is even a doll with her name
The first thing she was excited to do was have her doll's ears pierced and her hair done. She got to choose a new hairstyle for Marie-Grace and the stylist gave her tips on how to take care of her hair from now on. Thank you Aunt Laura for this fun gift! 
the little styling chairs were so cute the dolls sat in

Caroline watching intently
Here she is all beautified!!!! (the darling school uniform Marie Grace has on matches Caroline's uniform exactly.....it was a super fun birthday gift from Aunt Kristen and family!)
look at that cool new hairstyle!
Then it was off to the cafe for a little lunch with our doll, it was really delicious! 
everything was pink, pink, pink!

such a fun girl's day!
for dessert Caroline chose the decorate your own cupcake for her and her doll......such a fun idea! 
the artist at work

the finished product! 
After we were done eating we headed back into the store to use Caroline's Santa Bucks....she chose a darling white outfit (fur vest, shorts, tights, white fur boots, white shirt) and a doll hairbrush.
From now on I think one Santa gift for each child will be some sort of activity, it was such a fun day together!
That night my parents watched the kids so we could go out just siblings and spouses....what a fun, special treat! Tommy and Paige chose a brand new spanish tapas restaurant, it was really good! 
the six of us
My best friend Claire drove in from TN and joined us as well.....she is so awesome to always make the drive to see me when we are at home. Love her.
P and I
Jimmy and Kristen
Tommy and Paige
the whole crew.....delicious dinner, better company! 
After dinner we went out for more drinks and then spent the night at Tommy and Paige's house downtown. Free babysitting is like winning the lottery to us!