Happy New Year 2011

"Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to." ~Bill Vaughn

And so it has begun...the makings of old age.  New Year's used to mean partying into the wee hours of the night with tons of friends as we welcome the New Year with joy and anticipation of what it will bring.  Now we find ourselves nose deep into our iPhones and laptops after enjoying a relaxing movie and dinner out, only to look up with 15 seconds left on the clock to prepare for our New Year's Eve kiss as the ball drops.  Shortly after, we turn the lights out and venture to bed.  Oh, when did this alternative way of ringing in the New Year creep upon us?  I blame it on that sweet beautiful little girl that's been peacefully counting sheep for the last 3 hours!       

Glessner Family Christmas at the Farm

Austin's family always celebrates the Glessner Family Christmas out at the farm that Grandma Glessner grew up on, and is now owned by Austin's parents.  It sounds like it was once again a fun filled day of festivities.  I had to work (of course), so Austin and Hadley got to enjoy the party without me.  Austin didn't take our camera, but I managed to get some pictures for our blog compliments of Marcy and Kim. 

Aunt Shelby and Hadley

Alex and Evelyn

Erik, Libby and Brynn

Grandpa and Grandma Glessner and Mason

Daddy and Hadley opening up a present w/ Uncle Brad in the background.

Hadley attacking Cousin Brynn's present. (and Aunt Jodie)

Hadley hamming it up once again w/ her new bunny hat on her head!

And the girls...Brynn, Aunt Shelby, Grandma Kim and Hadley

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Day at Grandpa and Grandma Reames

We celebrated Christmas Day with Grandpa and Grandma Reames and the rest of the family today.  As always, Grandma made a super tasty dinner and we had a lot of fun spending time with family and opening presents.   

With the help of Aunt Shelby, Hadley passed out presents this year! 

Hadley got an extra special present this year.  Grandpa Reames made her a toy box for all of her toys.  It is absolutely awesome with a dark walnut finish.  My only regret is not getting a picture of Hadley and Grandpa together with her new family heirloom!

Everyone gathered   in the living room to open gifts.

 Aunt Shelby opening up one of her gifts in her super cute Zebra dress!

Hadley helped Grandma Kim open her present...

 This is a picture of Grandpa opening up his present from us, which just happened to be a super sweet utility cart for his shop!

 Daddy and Hadley...

Aunt Shelby and Hadley had fun goofing around w/ the camera.

And here's a picture of Hadley in her pj's surrounded by her new toys.  I'm getting the look of "Ok mom, here's your smile.  Let's get this picure over with!" 

Christmas with Mom

We celebrated Christmas with my mom and brother this morning.  Since my mom has a crazy work schedule, it's a little challenging to find the perfect time to celebrate the holiday together.  We decided to start the day off with a family breakfast of eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy before opening presents.  Yum!  

My mom bought a new Christmas tree this year too.  It's the same as mine with the exception of the lights.  From the looks of it, you would never know.  She didn't quite know how to "fluff" the tree limbs so that it would look full and luscious.  It cracked me up when I walked in and saw it.  A Charlie Brown Christmas it is! 

In honor of the tree, we watched "Charlie Brown Christmas."  I was amazed at how well my camera took this picture off of mom's new TV! 

Uncle Zeb cooking up some eggs in mom's new Christmas apron.  Manly, wouldn't ya say?

Family picture...obviously Hadley couldn't wait.

Hadley helped Grandma open her present.

She's getting the hang of it!

Another lounge chair! (this one has a cup holder) Now how many little girls can say that they have two?

She was doubled over from laughing.  This picture cracks me up! 

She loves her new bouncing colors turtle from Grandma...and to think, she was going to buy her a toy sweeper instead!

Waking up early was starting to catch up with her!

Santa was here!

Hadley is still a little too young to understand Christmas and the excitement of Santa Clause.  We had to wake her up this morning so that we could open presents.  When we put her to bed last night, Austin made the comment that this is the last Christmas Eve that we will get to go to bed and wake up without the squealing excitement of a little girl!  How right he is, but we wouldn't have it any other way.

When I was growing up, Santa did not wrap presents, he simply put them under the tree.  However, Santa wrapped presents at Austin's house, so this topic is still under debate in the Allen household.  Due to loss of time, Santa did not wrap presents this year...that does not mean the decision has been made!  The only wrapped presents were the ones from Austin and me.

 Hadley seeing the tree for the first time Christmas morning...

 She just realized that there are toys underneath the tree...

Obviously she was excited about the puzzle!

We tried out her new sled in the house.

Opening a present with mommy...

...and opening one with daddy.

 She liked her Elmo video so much that she hugged it!

 As you can see, the doll was a big hit!

She just realized that her baby talks and bounces up and down!

 Big yawn!  I guess we woke her up too early.

 Austin opening one of his presents from me... 

...and me opening a present from Austin.

Merry Christmas Day!