Well, since Christmas is almost here, we figured we'd better empty the camera and let you see what the girls have been up to lately.  Molly here tells us it's been a while since we've put up any pictures.

Not really much going on around here.  Molly has really taken a liking to her stories.  If we don't get to them, she's more then happy to read to herself.

 

We had wondered when she is going to start to talk more sensibly, then we realized... she'd probably just speaking upside down!

 

At least she's consistent about it.

 

A little before Thanksgiving, Aunt Megan, Uncle Brian and Cassidy came to visit.  Uncle Brian had something to do in the Twin Cities for the day, so Kim, Megan and the girls made a play day of Saturday.  First up... everyone brushes teeth.   Not sure how this normally goes down in Cassidy's house, but this is the normal morning scene for Carly and Molly.

The girls had a little arts and crafts time....

And then introduced Cassidy (and Aunt Megan) to the House of Bounce.  It's a large indoor playground filled with carnival style inflatable jumpy things.  Here all the girls are trying to balance plastic balls on teepee air spouts.

Trial run time for future Christmas baking.  Molly was super excited to be able to wear an apron and help.

Another new thing for us was just before we went to IL for Thanksgiving, Molly got to have her car seat turned around.  This of course also means that she now gets her own movie screen on those long car rides to Illinois.  She hasn't complained.

Great-Grandma Schahl was so excited that we could make it, and Carly was super excited about this great doll that's nearly as big as she is. 

Future best friend cousins all lined up at Ellie's birthday party.  All four girl cousins, only a 2 year spread between them.

Have we ever told you we're related to Mr. Magoo?  Eagle-eyes here doesn't miss much.

Of course, what would a trip home at Thanksgiving time be without a stop out at the Kitson Tree Farm to help out?  Here the girls practiced hanging ornaments.  Gotta get that practice in so they're ready to go when we get back to Minnesota.

Carly was a natural behind the counter...

But of course when she was needed to other things around the gift shop, she always performed with a smile.

Cassidy and Carly hanging out by the fire pit.

Gram and Bakka went on a trip to Hawaii, and brought back a fun little souvenir hula skirt.  Carly was fine with the grass skirt, but she was too modest for the coconut bikini top. 

Ok, back in Minnesota.  Time to get our tree.  Since we didn't take the truck on our Illinois trip, hauling one back from the farm would have probably cost more in gas than to just buy one here at home.  So the next evening after work, we headed to the local greenhouse to browse the pre-cuts.

There were so many the girls didn't know if they were coming or going.

Ok... trimmed and standing on it's own.  Reward hugs and kisses for Daddy.

It's perfect.  The girls can't wait to decorate.  Of course... it needs to stand for a day or to so the branches can fall out and the tree can draw a little water.

Christmas decorating.  Obviously we don't need full commentary on all the happenings of decorating, we all know how it goes.  We'll just leave it at "the girls were very helpful."

All done!!!  Bring on the presents.  Oh wait... guess we better go shopping now.

 The girls are VERY excited for Christmas and it's really fun for us because Cary is really getting in the spirit this year. She likes to talk about presents and Santa Claus.  Not surprisingly she has lots of questions about where he's at what he's doing etc.  To make things a little more interesting somehow in her little mind she has become convinced that deer are kangaroos. Not sure how this has happened, but on occasion she has reminded us to watch out for kangaroos while we're driving at night.  Apparently this confusion extends to deer of the "reign" variety as well because after visiting Santa at the mall on Saturday she asked me "mom, where did him park his kangaroos?"  Hilarious!

Well that's all we have for now.  Our little princesses are tuckered out.  Hope you enjoyed the pictures.  Merry Christmas to all, and a Happy New Year too!!