Baby Em: Emily's 2nd Christmas

Whew! Three Christmases and 1 1/2 stomach bugs later...it's been a long few days. We started out our celebrations at Granny and Grumpy's (aka Ba and Ong's) house. As with all Nguyen family gatherings, it was noisy, chaotic, and crazy. In other words, exactly how it should be- perfect. Thanks to all my siblings, who gave Em so many great gifts. And thanks to Granny and Grumpy, too, for all of the Transformers, Hot Wheels, and robots they gave Em. Now she'll have toys for her cousins when they come visit. (I think Granny and Grumpy were a bit confused and somehow thought they had 3 grandsons. Ha!).

Already exhausted!

Peaking :o)

Mommy and her 2 babies. Tanner was terrified of all the chaos and noise, which explains why he's in my lap. He is so not a lap dog.

So happy because Auntie gave her a Dora candy cane.

Come on, Deeyan! Kick your legs, too!

Not sure why she's sticking her tongue out at Aaron.

That night, we set out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for his reindeer. Emily was so excited to find that Santa did in fact visit and left her a bicycle (actually, it was a tricycle)! She LOVED it! He also filled her stocking with all her favorite things- stickers, sunglasses, Barney, and candy. Tanner got treats in his stocking, too! Em was a big help in showing him how to get to his loot. Christmas is so much more fun with kids. I just love starting new traditions with our family.

She totally has the hang of this.

Aww. My heart is melting. Daddy had to help her change her baby right away. Thanks, Auntie Steph, Scott, and Keaton for the new doll clothes!

"My bicylce!!!"

Loving it.

" Look, Mommy. Candy!"

Showing her "2 babies" her new kitchen. Thanks, Auntie Tina!

So sweet to them.

What's that blue thing on the right, you ask?

Why, it's Tanner in his Snuggie that Santa brought for him. He's miserable. Clearly he has a hard life.

Later Christmas day, we went to Aaron's house for dinner. H.G. had come into town, and Emily was so excited to see her. She would look for H.G. and make her sit down with her to watch her draw. :o) (Sorry, no pics from there).

Unfortunately, Donnie got hit pretty badly with a stomach bug early that morning, so he was in bed for most of the next day. He was able to rally, though, so that we could make it down to his mother's house for Christmas. Although we were missing Emma and Taylor, Em's step-cousins(?), Shaylea and two new friends, Laney and Isabel, were there. It took Emily a while to warm up to them, but she finally did and had such a good time with them. Her favorite part of the night? Daddy's gift from the dollar tree.