We had a very full Christmas already with all that we did at home, but on December 23, Mommy & Emily hopped on an airplane and headed back to Ohio to spend Christmas wit Grandma and Grandpa Heintz, Uncle Scott and Aunt Karen while Daddy worked. We had some difficulties with the flights. We left for Philadelphia 30 minutes late and arrived about 45 mintues late. That wiped out our layover completely and when we got off the plane our flight to Dayton was already boarding. The line to get on the little train to ride to the proper concourse was forever long. We finally got on about 10 minutes later and rode over to our gate. When we got there the flight was closed. I was pretty sick and after running to the gate I was also quite winded. When I saw the sign, I think I might have had tears on both cheeks, because amazingly enough, the man opened the door and let us get on the plane. I was shocked and very grateful.
Mommy needed the rest of the day to recover after we got to Dayton, so I went out for some last minute shopping with Uncle Scott and Emily stayed at home and played with Grandma. Later that evening, Uncle Scott entertained Emily with his guitar music. She loves to listen to him play.
The next day, on Christmas Eve, we took Emily to see Great Grandma Brown at Brighton Gardens where they were having a Christmas party complete with Santa, carols, cookies and other treats. Emily had a blast and she even sat on Great Grandma's lap for a few minutes. For me, that was the best part. I know Great Grandma did not know her, but she did sort of smile for a minute at one point. I think I lost count of how many times Emily visited Santa, but my mother reports at least 5. She was really taken with Santa.
After Brighton Gardens, we had lunch and then a nap (even Mommy napped). Then we got ready for Christmas Eve dinner - ham, sour cream potatoes, green beans, crescent dinner rolls and more. Of course for Emily Christmas Eve dinner was hot dogs (2), green beans (2 servings) and a dinner roll. She also had a cookie. Then it was time for bath, books and bed. After Emily went to sleep, Uncle Scott, Aunt Karen, Mommy and Grandma headed to church. It was (another) wonderful Christmas Eve.
Uncle Charles and Aunt Alison got Emily a new Dora Big Wheel for her birthday and brought it to her this weekend in Martinsburg. She was very excited and could not wait to ride it. She has no trouble at riding it and can even pedal up hill pretty well. Her major accomplishment today was learning to turn the bike with the handles while pedaling with her feet. She had been standing up to turn it around. She loves racing mommy and daddy (mommy needs to race after all she ate this week) and riding down hill. A great gift for a great big 3 year old. Just ask her - she'll tell you she's "big to do that."
After the fun was over inside the butterfly house, we took the kids outside to find the Santa Train! The Santa Train took everyone to the North Pole to see Santa, his elves and Rudolph! We even had quite a bit of real snow for our trip! The kids loved all the snow! I was hoping we would get a few flurries, but I never dreamed we would get so much! It really made the event all that much more special. Santa made a stop at each train car to talk to the kids. Emily told Santa that she wanted a pink doll house and a kitten. Not sure where the kitten idea came from, but at least there was no mention of a pink stick this time. All the kids got candy canes from Santa. Emily liked her candy cane. There was pink sticky stuff all over her white coat and mittens when we got home. 
