Lexykins' Life Happenings: 2010

Real Tea Set

My sister, Shawn, visited Erika and the family and while she was there she had a conversation about china with Rebecca. Rebecca had said she wanted a tea set. Shawn asked Rebecca if she wanted a real tea set or a plastic princess tea set. Rebecca said she wanted a real tea set, so that's what she got!

On Sunday, we got the set out and had hot cocoa instead of tea. We put marshmallows in the container for the creamer. And of course we had the cookies out!

I am showing Rebecca how to pour by holding the top of the tea pot.

Posing for a picture:

Opening Presents

When we got home it was time to pass out the presents!

Then a picture of everyone (youngest to oldest) is taken with their gifts!

There were so many gifts we had to pass out only about 80% though.

The present in the red striped gift is from Santa and they are pillow pets:

Here's Rebecca showing hers (a dolphin) off:

Here's Lauren and most of her gifts:

Grandpa Rich:

Erika (a mommy) got the most gifts I think! Her favorites are the pictures the kids made her.

Brian and his gifts:

And me with my gifts:

For some reason we didn't get a picture of Scotti, but here are a few of her opening the gift we got her (the Willow Tree nativity set).

Scotti has wanted this set for years for tears came to her eyes (and mine):

Yep, she was emotional!

Christmas Morning

Here's the loot the kids were waiting for:

The fearless Peppi was guarding it all:

Here is the tree and all it's glory:

The kids waiting for the greenlight from Mommy and Daddy:

The kids got to open one gift on Christmas Eve. They were slippers from Grandma and Grandpa.

Can you tell it was hectic when the kids ran in?

All the kids were excited (of course):

Cuteness:

Grandma and Lauren checking out the loot:

All the kids got stuffed animals and wanted to show them off:

After a little bit, we drove to Denny's and had Christmas breakfast. I'll have to add a picture later.

Christmas Play

All of my sister's kids were involved in their church's Christmas play. Rebecca had actually memorized the entire thing and Lauren was good with the musical lyrics. Sebastian played Joseph and Kaylen was Mary.

Rebecca was King Herrod:

So that all their effort wouldn't be totally wasted, the kids performed the play for us. I tried to upload a video but it wouldn't work! Bummer! They are so cute!

Christmas Eve Dinner

had something special planned for Christmas Eve dinner: steak, lobster, rice pilaf and carrots.

Erika showed me how to prepare the lobsters. You cut them down the center and pour drawn butter and lemon down the center. Then you cover them in aluminum foil so that they can steam. Here's Scotti checking on the lobsters:

Here they all are:

Brian cooked the steaks and Scotti did the rice pilaf. I cooked the carrots and prepared the lobsters. Everyone said the lobsters were good (I personally do not like lobster...yep and I'm not a fan of apple pie...so un-American).

After dinner the kids played for awhile. It was so adorable!

Kaylenie is so cute!

I had to cuddle with her!

Here is Rebecca, Erika, Brian and Kaylen before the kids had to go prepare for the Christmas play.

Monkey Feet

Somehow the conversation at the table turned to stupid human tricks and Erika mentioned my monkey feet. So, I decided to give a demonstration of how flexible my feet are.

Kaylen's Potty Party

Grandma and Grandpa Steip (Scotti and Rich) drove up from California and arrived just in time for Kaylen's potty party! Here they are with Lauren:

We had a feast of lasagna, cesar salad and garlic bread (all Kaylen's favorites) for dinner and then we all sang "Happy Potty Party to You", ending with Rich saying "May you always have clean underwear!"