First Snow!

We had a few inches of snow right after Christmas this year, and the mild temperatures made it perfect for snowmen-building! We joined our neighbors Dylan and Noah for some morning fun in the white stuff (fun, at least, until Siena got snow in her boots! Time for some proper snowboots, it seems).

There's never too little snow for a snow angel!

A winter swing... what a treat.

Siena helps Dylan put the finishing touches on his snowman family.

Dylan, Libby, Siena, and Noah gather for a rare group shot. What fun to have such great neighbors.

Christmas 2011

Shall I declare my 2012 New Year's resolution "keeping the blog updated more regularly"? I'm sure many of my readers would say "YES!" I'm doing my best here, folks... Life is busy. I will try to post some new videos soon, though (that's for you, Uncle Andy). Anyway, our Christmas this year was a whirlwind of family and fun, with more than a few presents from Santa thrown in! Siena is at the age where she's finally REALLY into the Christmas stuff, but also realizes the true meaning of the season. I caught her the other day saying to Libby, "You know, Libby, Christmas isn't just about Santa and presents. It's really about Jesus being born." It's good to know that some of our preaching is rubbing off! Here are some highlights from this wonderful season:

Siena gets some help from Auntie Putz decorating Christmas cookies. What fun!

Mmmm... The yummy icing was definitely Siena's favorite part.

Libby snuggles up with a great buddy (her great-grandfather Daddio) for some Christmas Eve reading.

Christmas morning madness! We had quite the haul this year from Santa.

Daddy poses with his new firehouse playset. If the girls are lucky maybe he'll share!

Libby gives her new Plasma Car a try.

Siena is thrilled with her #1 requested gift: a pink fairy. Unfortunately Santa couldn't find one that flies around by remote control per her request, but he'll keep looking.

Baby Jesus, meet Mr. Stegasaurus.

Honing our geography skills with the new globe.

Picky hand-picked (ha, ha) the girls' new dollhouses and worked hard furnishing them on Christmas morning. Quite the sight!

Siena poses with her favorite ornament at Christmas dinner. I had to sqyeeze in a photo of her adorable smocked dress!

Sweet Libby enjoying some reading time with Auntie Putz. How fun to have her home for the holidays.

Christmas photo 2011

Merry Christmas from the Sustars!

Breakfast with Mrs. Claus (and Santa too)

I realize this post has been highly anticipated and apologize to my readers for the delay. We had the great honor of attending the Missouri Botanical Gardens' annual Breakfast with Santa with our very own Mrs. Claus, played by Winnie. It was the role she was clearly born to play, and we spent the morning feeling like we were related to a celebrity. After years of speculation, the truth has finally come out -- my mom IS Mrs. Claus.

Come in and meet the Big Guy!

Photo with a young fan

Greeting more adoring fans

Libby was a bit wary of Mrs. Claus at first -- I think it took her a minute to realize it was her very own Winnie!

A close second to Mrs. Claus: Rudolf. Siena can't get enough!

As usual, Siena wanted nothing to do with Santa this year. Thankfully Mrs. Claus stepped in to help out!

Libby wasn't a huge fan of Santa either, but at least she remained composed.

Hey Sis, are you going to share that candy cane?