We took the kids to the Salem Hospital today to see Santa. Dean's mom, Cheryl, and step-dad, Curt, are both involved with the hospital volunteers so they wanted them to go so they could show off their
grandkids a little bit. Santa and Mrs. Claus are good friends of theirs from their square dancing club and Dean and I have know them since we were first engaged. They looked so cute!
Spencer didn't seem as scared at first as Aubrey did, so we tried it out with him. As you can see it didn't go well. He was less than happy to meet Santa. Poor Roger felt so bad.
We moved over to the face painting and they both had a much better time with that. 
Aubrey sat so still while the girl was painting her face. I was pretty impressed that she didn't try to touch it.
Spencer got a little help from Auntie Julie, but he did good too. I was surprised that he sat so still. I guess I don't give them enough credit sometimes.
Then they got mirrors to check themselves out. Spencer gave himself a kiss in his mirror and had a great big smile on his face.
Aubrey enjoys looking at herself in anything shiny as well. This may have been the best part for her.
Spencer and his finished tree...he was so proud!
Aubrey and her candy cane...she sat still while it was painted, but when I wanted a picture of it she kept turning her head, so she got an assist from Grandma.
We thought since we had been in the area with Santa for quite some time they would be more willing to sit with him...nope. Maybe next year!
Their attempt to blow the candles out...Mommy was helping from the side of the table so they wouldn't start spitting on the cake!
Enjoying their new tea set...I see many tea parties in our future!
Spencer's favorite toy of the night, his broom! He has swept the house more than once already. We do need to work on broom manners though, I think we have all had a broom shot to the head already too!
Playing with the new work bench from Uncle Paul and Aunt Hollie...he still won't put down the broom though!
This morning he wanted to sweep in style, so he put on the tiara! What a handsome prince! :)
My birthday girl...Cheese!
We split the holidays and went to Dean's family to open presents on Christmas Eve and my sister's house for Christmas day. I'll try to keep them in order...
I tried and tried to get a good shot of them dressed up from church...she had other plans! He was smiling though, so I got a few of him! 
She was willing to smile in her 
Before we started opening the presents, Spencer found this one under the tree and he played with it like a pull toy all until he finally opened it. Makes me wonder why we spent any money on gifts to begin with...I can tie ribbon to all kinds of things for him! :)
One of their favorite gifts was this little kitchen set they got from Grandma and Grandpa. They jumped right in and started "cooking" and "tasting" things. 
Spencer LOVES his 
Auntie Julie got them the sit-n-spin...a big hit! 
Another favorite was their cell phones...they still want to sleep with them and will take them with us when we go anywhere!
Christmas morning at our house, we had both sides of family over to watch them open their gifts...my favorite part of the holidays was this time for sure. 
The new table and chairs they got from Nana and Papa.
The kids both love to try to push the buttons on our computers when Dean and I have ours out, so we got them their own...they also go with us just about everywhere we go! 
The new pony they got...they call it Neigh. They are a bit too little to get on and off it by themselves, but they love to ride it once they are on.
Spencer watching the toothpick in Uncle Eric's mouth with the utmost concentration. He thought it was so cool! 
He somehow got it away from him and did just what he saw him do...hold it tight between his teeth. 
Aubrey sat at my sister Carla's house and played with her new computer and stayed pretty quiet....then I noticed that she wasn't really using it as a computer.
She was using it as a make up case and was putting on her make up...she did her eyes, her cheeks, and lips. I think we are in trouble with her if she is already pretending to wear make up at 2! 
Dad teaching Spencer how to sing and play the guitar! Those of you who know my dad know that it wasn't a very serious lesson. :)
Aubrey in her new outfit from Nana and Papa the day after Christmas.
