We spent Christmas in Indiana this year, creating new traditions of our own and enjoying the last big holidays in Bloomington. For the last several years we've been going to Colorado for Christmas but with Kris pressed for time to complete his dissertation and mail off job application packets, we've decided to postpone our annual winter trip until the middle of January. We also have a litter of puppies, which are gradually going home to their new owners now. By the time we pack, fill up the car with all our necessities and adventure across the country, the pups will be gone, and Kris will be a couple steps closer to a graduating doctoral student and professor.One great thing about Kris' schedule right now is that he makes it up, so if he wants to spend some time with us during the day, he goes into work a little earlier or stays at work a little later. The week before Christmas we took advantage of his flexible schedule and adventured out with the family on several different occasions. The first time was to have the tires on the Sedona replaced and the oil changed on the Pathfinder. Our appointment was at 1:00 pm, so we dropped the cars off and walked downtown stopping to eat at a little cafe. Then we walked around the square and got some cookies at the Bakehouse. A little cold from our walk, we decided to stop in at the little mall on the square and found an adorable little dress to take Ellary home from the hospital in, and then discovered that Santa was there too. Luckily I had the camera in my purse...
The Mall was decked out for the holidays...
We also went to an IU women's basketball game vs. West Virginia in which I have already wrote about. 
A Bug at Christmas Time Our family went through a bout the stomach flu bug this Christmas season. The last time we got sick at this proportion was when we were on our way back to Grand Junction two Christmas' ago and found ourselves puking along the way. This time around it started with the infamous Alyson Allee projectile vomiting spells. A week later I found myself hovering over the toilet for a few hours in the middle of the night. The next day Kris wasn't feeling so well, and Kourtney, who hardly ever pukes, woke up saying "My tummy hurts." Needless to say, we spent a good amount of time in the bathroom. Two days later, after all seemed healthy in the Allee household, we found ourselves out doing some last minute shopping and decided, at Alyson's request, to use our Red Lobster gift card. Sitting at the table, on a Friday night, when the restaurant is packed, Alyson started complaining that she didn't feel well. Minutes later she was pale, and seconds following she began her general routine of "Oh no..." followed by the horrifying sounds of food exploding from her stomach. Kris and I did our best to clean up, but her little belly must have held food in there for days before deciding to erupt. After notifying the wait staff of what had happened, we hightailed ourselves out of there. $40 bucks in gift cards down the drain and a sick little girl holding a cup in the car later, we found ourselves at home relieved to have that all done with. Needless to say, Alyson was feeling almost back to normal the next morning, and keeping our fingers crossed, no one else has been sick since.
Christmas Eve
It's been a long time tradition in Kris' house for Eleonore to break out the guitar and sing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve. So anticipating holding this tradition in our family, Kris broke out his guitar and some Christmas music several weeks ago and brushed up on his guitar skills. We sang songs and recorded much of it on the camcorder. Then the girls and I made cookies, and Alyson, four years old and loving to write, wrote a letter to Santa with our help. Then they were off to bed, and surprisingly went to sleep much quicker than I think Kris or I had anticipated.
Oh Christmas Tree...
Christmas Morning
Alyson was the first to wake up around 8:00 am, probably too excited to see if Santa had brought her the ballerina jewelry box she's been asking for for months. Kourtney slept in until 8:30, so that's when we began our Christmas festivities.
The girls waiting to come down stairs on Christmas morning...
Santa's Surprise...
Knowing the Girls have a lot of toys and that the girls love to camp whether it's indoors of out, Santa brought them a tent and sleeping bags.
Oma gave the girls a lot of books, Koco a Little Einstein baton and Alyson an art set plus some money to spend.
Knowing the Girls have a lot of toys and that the girls love to camp whether it's indoors of out, Santa brought them a tent and sleeping bags.Oma gave the girls a lot of books, Koco a Little Einstein baton and Alyson an art set plus some money to spend. Nana and Papa Bear gave the girls PJ's. Koco got Dora the Explorer pajamas and Alyson was given 5 Little Monkey pajamas (Papa and Alyson know why!).
Alyson also received the ballerina jewelry box she wanted, plus a few other ballerina items, and Koco got a few more Dora items including a hooded towel and a blanket in hopes she will retire the old one Nana made for her before it falls to pieces.
Alyson also received the ballerina jewelry box she wanted, plus a few other ballerina items, and Koco got a few more Dora items including a hooded towel and a blanket in hopes she will retire the old one Nana made for her before it falls to pieces.Daddy thought it would be a good idea to get them a learning game. Here is Kris with the girls teaching them how to play a V-Smile game.
Kris received a pair of new dress shoes, a music stand, and a tie with pictures of the girls on it. I received a pair of shoes as well, a purse and a laundry hamper. Kris surprised the family by buying a large griddle. Now we can cook fench toast on Sundays 8 pieces at a time!Best of all, we had a lot of time together, and we were able to reflect about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ through songs and prayers. We are grateful for the love of our Heavenly Father, and of Jesus Christ, and for the love of family...
