Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is always a busy time around the Kanner house. Scott always has to work and I'm usually busy cleaning, cooking, wrapping last minute gifts and of course taking care of Bonnie Kay and Molly Margaret.... this year was certainly no exception!!

To make things a little less stressful, when the Girls were born we decided that Christmas Eve would be our time as a family, so that we could be together, start and carry out our own traditions and of course get the Girls in bed and ready for the Big Guy's big arrival!

One tradition that the girls and I started on their first Christmas was baking cookies for Santa. Their first Christmas Bonnie Kay and Molly Margaret really just sat in their highchairs and watched me make cookies, but this year they were much more hands on and really seemed to enjoy their time in the kitchen with Mommy!

Scott made it home from work about the time that we got the last batch of Cookies out of the oven, so Daddy and the Girls did a little taste test of our creations just to be sure that they were just perfect for Santa! Apparently they passed the test and Santa was lucky that there were any cookies left for him!!

We had just enough time to open a few family gifts before heading to Church for Christmas Eve service.

Our sweet neighbor brought over a gift for the Girls. She brought them each a pair of hand knitted booties that she had made....in pink, their signature color and a sweet board book. This is the same neighbor that made the Girls handmade bonnets and blankets when they were born!
Bonnie Kay and Molly Margaret of course loved the book and their new handmade booties....they seem to have the same obsession as their Mommy with having to have something on their feet!

I love this photo! Bonnie Kay and Molly Margaret are exchanging their gifts from each other!

Of course a couple of gifts from Mommy and Daddy......


Opening all of those gifts was thirsty work!

Check out my little bag lady, Molly Margaret! I think she inherited her Granby's love for bags!

Once we got home from church it was time to get Bonnie Kay and Molly Margaret ready for bed and put out the goodies for Santa and of course we couldn't forget the reindeer!

We could hear sleigh bells in the distance so we quickly carried the Girls up to their room and got them in bed! Daddy read them Twas the Night Before Christmas from the book that their Granby had actually given them the Christmas before they were born.

And here are our little angels, nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads!

Christmas Cuties

On the Sunday before Christmas when we got home from church the Girls were playing so sweet in front of the Christmas tree so I decided to grab my camera and capture a few angelic moments while I had the chance!

Gore KanField Christmas

Last year we started the tradition of Gore KanField Christmas. It's just a fun time to get together with friends (The Gores, The Kanners and The Stanfields...hence the Name) and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season. This year Gore KanField Christmas was held at our house.

After playing and having dinner the kids couldn't wait to open gifts!

Santa McKinley, and his little elf Kate did a great job passing out all of the presents!

Molly Margaret just couldn't believe her eyes!!

Kate loves to dance, she practices her ballet and shows me her new moves all the time! Kate also loves dress up, so when I saw this musical tutu and wand I knew it was the perfect gift for her! Doesn't she look beautiful!!

Shiver me timbers.......It's Pirate McKinley!


All of that unwrapping really got to the Girls.....they had to take a break right on top of one of their gifts!

After gifts, it was time for dessert.

All of the little ones, and mommies too loved decorating and eating their very own gingerbread men!

I didn't realize that the kids would have so much fun with this, but it was a big hit!! Gingerbread making may have to be part of the GoreKanField tradition from now on!!

Children's Church Christmas Party

Bonnie Kay and Molly Margaret had a great time at the Children's Church Christmas Party!

They made all sorts of fun Christmas arts and crafts!




And enjoyed having yummy pizza and snacks with all of their church friends!

Nutcracker 2008

Christmas just wouldn't be the same without going to see Anna's annual performance in the Nutcracker.

The Jackson's tend to make this a family affair. Shawn once again helped out and was a party parent in the opening scene and Jon helped with props, sound, lighting, etc. Jill decided to take it easy this year, she helped hand out programs and on the night that we went she enjoyed sitting with me and Uncle Scotty in the audience.

Anna was quite the little dancer this year and had three parts in the show. She was a party boy in the opening of the show, then she played a very cute and mischievous mouse, and finally an angel in the second half of the performance.

Anna as a "party boy"....

and as an Angel.....(it's a little hard to tell, but that's Anna on the right)

Due to the lighting and special effects I couldn't get any good photos of Anna as a mouse. I will say she was by far the cutest mouse in the show!

And here are the Jackson's after the show.....

Visit to Santa and the Pink Pig

Bonnie Kay and Molly Margaret were less than thrilled to visit with Santa this year!

These photos are priceless and say it all!!!


I think Santa had to go and feed his reindeer once Bonnie Kay and Molly Margaret were done with him!



Once the Girls calmed down from their traumatic visit with Santa we headed up to ride the Pink Pig.
This is a tradition my Mom used to do with Davina and I when we were little, when the Pink Pig was downtown on top of Rich's.
Davina has always carried Addie and last year we took Bonnie Kay and Molly Margaret for their first time, although I'm sure they don't remember it.

Bonnie Kay and Molly Margaret were very excited about their second visit to the Pink Pig! They loved it....much more than they loved visiting with Santa!

Molly Margaret and Daddy waiting for their turn!


Molly Margaret thought she better check him out before climbing aboard!


Mommy, Bonnie Kay and Addie



Addie is an old pro when it comes to the Pink Pig, she knew just what to do!



I love the way Bonnie Kay is holding on to the side of the car....like she was really about to go for a spin!!


Once we were done both Bonnie Kay and Molly Margaret waved and said "bye pig...night night pig" over and over again, all the way out of the mall until we pulled out of the parking lot and the Pink Pig was no longer in sight!