Christmas 2010

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas this year. Santa went a little overboard at our house! But what can I say? It's so fun to buy for little ones! It was after all Julianna's first Christmas.



Christmas Eve we went to church and barely made it through the 30 minutes service! Good thing it was VERY kid friendly. Julianna likes to sing along and she is loud! Jake, well, he can't sit still for that long so we had a screamer and a squirmer. Kind of funny looking back...not so much sitting in church. But at least they looked good in their Christmas attire.


Christmas morning Julianna blessed us by sleeping in until 8:00! Jake, of course was up with the sun but had to quietly watch TV upstairs until Julianna woke up. Finally it was time to open presents and Jake was overwhelmed. He got a Woody action figure and after that wasn't very interested. Until he got Buzz Lightyear. Obviously he is very into Toy Story.


Julianna didn't really get what was going on. She got a bunch of new toys, I tried to buy "girlie" things so she doesn't have to play with Jake's truck and ball. My parents gave Jake a new basketball hoop. Of course, Julianna LOVES the basketball. It's funny the things that entertain her. Here is a short clip of Jake playing basketball.


Brian asked Jake what his very favorite present was...he replied "MY TOYS." What an amazing day we had! Jake and Julianna have blessed our lives and made the holiday season truly special. Please have a safe and happy new year!

I know I don't post a lot of video of Julianna so here is some footage I took while at the Children's Museum. She was playing on the waterbed, she loves to roll around and try to keep her balance. At this particular time there was a music show going on so she was also trying to sing along.

Crazy Saturday

Today was another crazy day in the McNeely household. Brian was in Nashville for my brother's bachelor party...yes the wedding is now 3 weeks away. So Jake, Julianna and I ran some errands and quickly came home for a short nap. Boy would Jake need that nap!

The afternoon started with a birthday party. Jake's friend Davis turned 3! I can't believe it. He had his party at a local burger joint that conveniently sits right next to the fire house. After some (okay lots) tater tots and juice boxes we walked next door to see the fire engines.


I am sure you can imagine it was a huge success. Jake and his buddy Matty were in the truck, running around the truck, banging on the truck, checking the trucks tires and driving the truck. Craziness is the only word to describe it. It was lots of fun to see how excited they were about a fire truck! Back to the restaurant we went for cake and even more time to run around and play.


After the party, Leslie and I took the kids to a live nativity at our church. It was the first year for the event so I didn't really know what to expect. Well two crazy two year olds and 10 animals makes for a lot of work for the Mommys! They were all over the place. I think they had a good time and the day ended with cookies...what could be better?

More Video

We Wish You a Merry Christmas...



By the way Jake is the one in the red and white striped shirt (fifth from the left). The kid NOT singing.

Jake's Class Christmas Party

Julianna and I got to go to Jake's school today for his Christmas party. Jake was very excited for us to come and see his room and all the wonderful crafts he has been working on the past few weeks. His teachers, Ms. Sonya and Ms. Beth, are so creative. You should see the stuff he brings home. It is so fun to see what comes out of his little bag.


Today he made a Christmas tree out of an upside down ice cream cone, green icing and lots of decorations. He was very focused on getting the M&M's on the tree until he saw another kid eat one. That was pretty much it for decorating the tree...the rest went in his mouth.



The kids also learned two Christmas songs and sang them for us. I got both on video so here are Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas (in the next post).


We had a great time and it was so fun to see all his friends. He talks about them all the time. Of course that was his last day of school for 3 weeks...now what?

Seeing Santa

Last week Brian and I took the kids to see Santa. Julianna was meeting him for the first time so I wondered if she would like him. She stared at him for about a minute or two and then she cried.


Jake on the other hand had no problem sitting on Santa's knee and telling him exactly what he wanted for Christmas. Buzz Lightyear. Santa said and a scooter? Jake said "No, Buzz Lightyear." They are so easy to please at this age.


We are definitely looking forward to Santa visiting our house on the 24th!

Julianna - Lots of Firsts

Last week we went to get our Christmas tree...it will be our first Christmas with Julianna! Jake had a great time picking out our tree and pushing Julianna around in her stroller...yep pushed her right into a tree. I guess if you have a brother you need to be tough!


On Friday Julianna was 9 months old. She is, what we like to call her, our little maniac. She is pulling up on everything and trying to let go, cruising around the furniture, climbed up a few stairs. She is into everything and follows her brother everywhere!


Julianna and I went to Cincinnati this weekend for a wedding shower for my brother's fiance, Shana. It was Julianna's very first plane ride and also her first shower. She definitely enjoyed helping her Aunt Shana open the presents. It was wonderful to see everyone and we can't wait for the wedding! It even snowed while we were there so Julianna could see snow for the first time. I'm not sure she was impressed...it was cold!


This week we are very busy. Jake and Julianna get to see Santa Claus on Wednesday. Should be lots of fun. Have a great week!