Bella pulled out all the menus from cafe O and read them specially with Daddy.
Nonnie made this blueberry hat and matching sweater for Marin too! She was loving the ride and everyone asked where they could get the outfit. What a market if I could only learn to knit.
Nonnie made these fun outfits for the girls. What knitting skills! They looked spectacular together. Everyone thought they were the cutest girls out on Boxing Day. Thanks so much Nonnie. Hope you like the pics of the girls.
Marin was too excited with Mommy's hair and Bella still thought no one should be dressed in so much red. So, this picture with Santa was a bit chaotic - Santa was a great sport.
Still loving taking pictures of everyone. 
The gang after lunch.
Harry, Alana & Bella exchanged gifts a bit later at Alana's house. We had a lovely Christmas. We definitely missed family but spent the time with special friends.
We went to the club for Christmas lunch. They had quite the entertainment for the kiddos. Bella even got up on stage for the dance competition. Instead she ran away with the EmCee's microphone. She thought that was much more fun to play with.
Bella just loves her new camera. Daddy picked it up special for her to practice taking her own pictures. She was busy all morning capturing loads of candid shots.
Again, eating one of Bella's pegs. Marin was a bit more active about getting to all the fun toys.
Marin was excellent at tearing the paper. She then went straight for her mouth. Mommy and Daddy had to keep a close eye on all the paper. Who knew Christmas paper would taste so good.
Bella really enjoyed her music player. It is supposed to have a karoke option but Bella kept putting the microphone up to her ear.
Taking Daddy's temperature with her new doctor's kit. Daddy received a lot of shots too! Poor Daddy.
Watching Elmo's Happy Holidays special.
Marin had her first year of reading Twas the Night Before Christmas with Daddy. Daddy reads the book to the girls each Christmas Eve before heading to bed in hopes that St Nicolas arrives in the morning. The girls weren't so sure about the man in red but they did like reading the book and looking at the great pictures.
Bella, Harry & Alana got together to decorate christmas cookies. The kids had a grand time rolling the dough, pressing the moulds and presto decorating cookies! The icing was everywhere as you can see on Bella. Her shirt might have had more icing than the cookies themselves. It was good fun. And the best part was we all ate loads of yummy cookies.
Bella wasn't so sure this year about sitting on Santa's lap. So I sat on Daddy's lap next to the big man in red.
Marin was very cute. She was wide eyed and wondering was Mommy put her with this man.
Santa tried a book but Bella wouldn't leave Daddy's lap.
Look! Santa and Marin have similar faces.
Bella loved rolling out the dough. She was a pro. Mommy didn't have to help her at all. In fact, she kept pushing mommy away to ensure that she was able to do it by herself. We just had a few hands behind her as she tended to use a little bit of momentum in rolling out the dough.
Is this a smile of satisfaction or what?
Bella has the christmas tree mould and is all ready to cut out her shapes.
She had so much fun! And they turned out perfect.
Bella and Mommy had a special afternoon out at the Mandarin Oriental for tea. Bella got dressed in her tights, special new shoes from Grammy and grabbed her purse. She was so excited to be going on a date with Mommy. Bella was on her best behavior and charmed everyone. She just kept smiling and laughing the whole time.
Here she is with her markers and paper coloring before the tea arrived.
She was so excited to drink from the tea glass. Notice how she is holding it with one hand! Bella absolutely wouldn't use two hands. Mommy doesn't so why should she!
She is glowing. Bella kept staring at her shoes and tapping her feet together. This was truly a fun afternoon for her. And Mommy had a blast sharing the finger bites and tea.
Bella was eating the Mandarin out of scones and savory bites. And she just had to spread the jam all by herself.
We went to see Bella in her first performance. She was a pig in Miss Moni's Christmas farm. In 20 minutes all the kids followed the songs and helped by doing their parts to make it the cutest production we have seen in a long time. Bella was excellent at oinking, clapping, kneeling and bouncing along to the songs. And yes, mommy made her outfit. I especially like the little curly tail.
Bella has taken a liking to pulling out all the clips and putting them in her hair. Or at least directly mommy to put them in her hair. She loves to just keep on adding and adding to the lot. It is quite a comical event in the morning.
Marin is now eating two meals a day. She was practically salivating when we were all having breakfast together on Sunday that I decided to give her some banana and cereal as well. She definitely likes to let us know not to leave her out of anything. Especially eating!