The Picture People

We took Hadley to The Picture People in Mishawaka tonight to have her pictures taken in her Christmas outfit that Grandma Joyce bought for her.  I absolutely LOVE this outfit, and I'm glad that we got some pictures of her in it before she outgrows it!  Check them out...

 

 

Hadley didn't tolerate having her picture taken very well tonight.  In fact, while in the middle of her photo shoot, she walked over to her stroller crawled up in the seat and buckled herself in.  I then got the "let's go mom" look!  Needless to say, we were done.  This is what she did while we were waiting to view the pictures...

At least she was in good spirits, even though she was embarrassing her parents by playing

in the display window of the store!

Annual Argiris Christmas Party

One of the best celebrations of the holiday season is the annual Argiris Christmas party.  It's always a great evening of hanging out with friends and catching up while in the excitement of the holiday.  I took a 1/2 day off of work this year so that I could join in on the fun!

It's funny to watch how this party has progressed over the years.  It was only a few years ago that none of us had children.  The party consisted of a bunch of adults drinking, eating and doing a white elephant gift exchange.  Oh how things have changed.  This year there were 14 kids, w/ 10 old enough to participate in the gift exchange!  

  

Pete creeped up beside me as I was taking pictures of the kids.  I turned the camera and shot this picture w/out looking.  Pretty good, I'd say...lined up and everything. 

Kids getting their presents...

Hadley got an Elmo camera and little pull along doggie from Gabe.  Holly's right...that's the only kind of dog she's likely to get under our roof, so she had better enjoy him! 

The madness of kids opening presents! 

Looks like Gabe got a super cool Diego truck!

Hadley flashing one of her million different faces! 

Kerry holding Lilah with his daughter Kelsey in the forefront.

Here's a blurry picture of Hadley eyeing Stinna's stuffed reindeer.  After the gift exchange, it was cute how all of the kids played w/ each other's toys.  Hadley, of course, wasted no time getting her little hands on Stinna's gift! 

Geni with her newborn daughter of only a few weeks, Caroline. 

Cooper enjoying his farm truck w/ animals that he got from Hadley during the gift exchange.












Nate and Hans...

Hadley hamming it up on the couch w/ Jillian and Jacque!



After dinner and the kid's gift exchange, the adults did their white elephant gift exchange.  Austin and didn't participate this year.  It looked like there were some popular gifts though, as the stealing was in full effect!   

For the remainder of the evening, everyone hung out and played Pete's new game that he was supposed to get from Holly for Christmas - Michael Jackson, The Experience.  He convinced her to give it to him early!  I took a stellar video of Kerry and Pete dancin' it up to "Thriller."  I think I had my camera turned though, so the video will be sideways.  I really need to learn how to flip them, or remember not to turn my camera.  Sorry for the crazy view! 

Everyday Clippies Friday Fan Giveaway

Yeah! Hadley and I won the "Everyday Clippies" Friday Fan Giveaway. We participate every Friday, but this is the first time we have won.  I had to submit a picture of Hadley wearing one of their clippies to be entered into the contest.  We were randomly selected lucky #3.  For winning, Hadley gets a free hanging hair clip holder and free hair clippies. 

Thanks Everyday Clippies!

Play Time!

This last one is Hadley rolling her eyes at me.  Austin and I seriously have no idea where she learned to do that?  Given the right time, it's funny though! 

Oh My!

New Dining Table!

Since we moved into this new house, I've decided to change my decorating style.  I want to do a more modern decor and get rid of all the french country from the old house.  Lucky for me, my mom decorates in french country and she bought all of my old furniture.  So...I've been holding onto the money and a couple of gift cards from Christmas until the perfect furniture comes along. 

I've had my eye on a dining table at Pier1 for quite a while.  It went on sale a few weeks ago, so I bought it.  It doesn't match the house at all right now, but it will in good time!     

Hadley was very interested in the new table.  Well, mostly the huge box!  When we were putting it together tonight, she was such a good little helper. 

All I need now are eight brown leather Parson chairs. 

Let the hunting being! 

Deck the House!

Hadley is a little older this year, so we are really looking forward to Christmas!  We decided to put up our Christmas tree tonight.  If you remember, our tree broke last year and fell over in the middle of the night.  To replace it, we bought a 7.5 foot pre-lit and it's super nice. 

These new ornaments will have to stay in the package this year!

Hadley and daddy putting the tree together...

We didn't get out the other decorations this year because Hadley gets into everything! In fact, we decided not to put any decorations on the tree at all. Hadley loves the lights though and every morning when I plug it in, I hear "Oh my!" about 10 times.  Too cute! 

 

After putting the tree up, Hadley and I read "Santa's Busy Night" before heading to bed.

Thanksgiving 2010

I had to work this year on Thanksgiving, so Austin and Hadley traveled to Grandpa and Grandma Reames house in Michigan for the day without me. From what I heard, they had a great time with family and enjoyed lots of yummy food.

They got to meet the newest addition to the family, Ryder.

Austin got to watch some football.

Hadley got to help her great grandma cook, and get down to her skivvies to eat some messy dessert! 

 I got to eat lots of leftovers when I got home. Yum!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Computer Time

We start them out young in the Allen Household...