Erin the Photographer

Erin has really taken to stealing Mommy's camera and taking her own pictures.  Some of them aren't half bad! 

Some are just entertaining. 

If she is a good girl, maybe she'll get her own digital camera for Christmas!

Visiting Santa

Despite the reaction to Santa at the tree farm yesterday, we decided to give it another go. This time the big guy in red was scheduled to be downtown by the Hall of Fame.  We took her there last year and decided to take her again as we thought she would enjoy it more this year. 

The reaction to Santa was the same (Possibly worse???) than yesterday. But of course as soon as she got a candy cane she calmed down.

This was her pre-Santa face!

Pre-Candy Cane

Post-Candy Cane

We redemed our stickers at South Bend Chocolate for a chocolate bar and took the opportunity to play on their slide.

I got a pumpkin spice au lait and Erin tried hot chocolate for the first time.  It was adorable to see her with a little coffee cup!  She loved it!

Daddy and Erin played on the gridiron at the Hall of Fame for a bit.  Doing Erin's favorite thing "Down, Set, Hike" and then Daddy picks her up and runs for dear life!

Down, Set, Hike @ Yahoo! Video

The Hall of Fame had cookie decorating, coloring pages for kids and a gingerbread house display.  Erin decorated her own cookie (and ate it) and colored a pretty picture. 

Erin decorating a cookie @ Yahoo! Video

Decorating the Christmas Tree

After we got home from Hensler's Nursery with our beautiful Scotch Pine, we all took naps (some longer than others. READ: Erin slept for about a half hour).  We then got to decorate our pretty tree.  After a few hang ups (i.e. half the strand of Christmas lights didn't work) and emergency Wal-Mart trips.  We got it under control and had a good time drinking egg nog and trimming the tree.  (Some of us had to have something added to their nog to make it drinkable. ICK!)

I tried to take a picture that better captured the lights but it didn't work like I wanted it to.  It still turned out kind of neat though.

Erin got a hold of my camera again and took a picture of her favorite ornaments.

Christmas Tree!

Bright and early Saturday morning, we drove off in search of the Riesenberg Family Christmas tree.  We drove to Hensler's Nursery in Hamlet, Indiana to cut down a tree.  We were really impressed by the set up they had down there. Very nice selection and lots to do and see.

Erin loved all the animals. We literally had to tear her away from the cows. We could've been there for looking at them for hours!

Rudy the Reindeer

It was freezing cold! But Erin actually wore her hat and gloves the entire time!  Normally she'll leave them on for about 2.5 seconds. She hates hats especially!  We were so proud of her. She was quite the trooper!

As you can see the "highlight" (LOWLIGHT) of the trip was the visit with Santa.  She cried her little eyes out.  As soon as Santa gave her a candycane she was fine though.  Bribery works wonders!

 

 

After cutting down our trees, we got to ride the horse drawn wagons back.  Neat!

Riding on the Horse Drawn Wagon @ Yahoo! Video

Erin's First Christmas Present 2009

Erin received her first Christmas present of the 2009 season today. Cory's mom bought her an adorable dress to wear while she visits Santa this weekend!  As you can see, we won't have any problems getting Erin to open presents this year.  She is however, very throurough and EVERY BIT of paper and tape must be removed before opening the box.

New Recipes!

Confetti Beef Skillet - This is one of my favorite go-to dishes.  Italian Diced Tomatoes are key to it's delicious-ness.  So easy and it has a bunch of fresh veggies in it so bonus!
Turkey Club Quesadilla - Ryan, Amanda and Cory all LOVED these.  I didn't mind them, just wasn't hungry I guess.  I had leftover turkey from Thanksgiving I had to use up so it was perfect. Plus I used my handy-dandy quesadilla maker for an easy weeknight meal.

Oh Erin

Erin decided she wanted Cheese Curls...

Apparently a handful wasn't enough.

Auntie A Day!

Grocery Shopping

Erin loves going to the grocery store. She is a big help and insists on walking along with you instead of in the cart.  She likes to show off how strong she is by carrying big, heavy items and picking out her favorite things to add to the cart. It sometimes gets her into trouble! (She was just emerging from completely beneath the shelves.)  What are we going to do with her! :)

Plus she really enjoys riding Sally, the penny horse at Meijer. She has to insert the penny and push the start button herself.

Movie Tuesday!

Erin Playing the Piano @ Yahoo! Video