Christmas Day 2013

What a super fun Christmas this was. I felt like this year AB grasped the birth of Christ and the true meaning of Christmas. She talked about baby Jesus more than she did Santa and toys. I hope it stays that way. As a mom, I've been so conflicted on whether or not to do the "Santa" thing. I don't want it to be about him. I want it to be about the true reason. I decided that to go ahead and do the Santa thing and to just downplay it as much as I can. I don't hang Santa over her head and tell her she won't get presnets if she mis-behaves. Rather, I use Jesus as more of an incentive for making good choices. She feels that disappointing God is more of a punishment than anything.

Anyway, Christmas morning around the tree was beautiful. So much fun to watch through the eyes of a child again. She slept with us the night before, and when I woke her up and told her it was Christmas morning, she wasted no time jumping out of bed (which is VERY unlike her) and ran into the living room - before Austin and I had a chance to go first!!!!

She asked for one thing this Christmas. One. Made my heart over-joyed that she wasn't obsessing about what she would get, and only wanted one thing. And you better believe, that Santa delivered that one thing. A Mooshka doll.

This year was also about giving to AB. She couldn't wait to give Daddy the gifts we had bought for him at the holiday store at my school. It was killing her to wait as long as she did for him to open them.

It was fun watching Landree open gifts this year, too. The year before she could've cared less. This year she got it a little more.

After our Christmas morning together, Austin's brother, sister and mom came over as well as all the cousins. My sweet Joe Joe is so big now. I can't even handle his handsomeness. But what happened to my baby?

It was a fun evening with family, as everyone came over to our house for Christmas dinner. Austin's dad, Mike, even made it into town and joined us. That was a nice surprise. So glad my grandmother was able to come this year, as well.

And what's Christmas night without one of your best friend's stopping by and wearing a matching scarf?? Love!

Blessed by all my family and friends. Can't wait until next Christmas when Miss Zoe will be here!

'Twas The Night Before Christmas 2013

T'was the Night Before Christmas and...

There was letter writing to Santa to leave for him when he brought gifts. Hoping for a Mooshka!!

And what's leaving him a letter without milk and cookies? Making Cookies for him from scratch!

There was reading of the REAL Christmas story by Daddy.

And a sweet but kind of sad good-bye to our good pal, Ralphie the Elf. One month out of the year with him isn't enough for a child. We gave him just the slightest of hand-shakes good-bye so as not to let his Christmas magic go away.

Blessed I am to have such a wonderful husband who leads his family so well and two (almost three) precious girls to spend my Christmas Eves like this.

A Cousin Christmas 2013

I often say it, but I didn't have siblings growing up. My cousins were my siblings. I looked forward to every holiday with them. Trick or treating, Easter egg hunts, but most of all, Christmas! My uncle and aunt always made Christmas a winter wonderland. My cousin Amanda has done an awesome job of carrying on that Christmas magic. All of us cousins still get together, and it's so fun to watch all of our kiddos experience the same Christmas magic. 

We spent our Christmas together the weekend before and opened all our presents. Oh, what fun!!

Add caption

And what would a family gathering be without someone crashing in the recliner!!

We started a new tradition this year. Bingo! Even the littles played!

Sweet little cousins!

Sweet big cousins.

Pancakes in pj's and with Santa!

Annabelle's school has so many wonderful family-oriented events where we are welcomed with open arms. I took off for Annabelle's Christmas party and for Pancakes in PJ's and getting to see Santa. It was fun to get both girls dressed up in their pj's to go to AB's school.

Santa even made a debut and the girls got to sit in his lap.

I love AB's teachers and school. The parties have been so much fun for her, and for me to come and be apart of! Love!

Sweet Friends! Annabelle and Oliva

AB's First Christmas Play 2013

Our sweet girl had her first Christmas play. This Mama's heart could hardly handle all of the excitement leading up to the days of her performance! She was a donkey. Yes, that's right,  I said a donkey in her Christmas play. And you know what? She was the most adorable donkey I'd ever seen. She looked absolutely beautiful.

What a special treat that her best friend, AnnaClaire, was able to come to her play and spend the night that night. They are such sweet friends!

This goes to show you what a crazy, all over the place, sleeper AB is. Poor AC had to find that out for herself.

Scottish Rite

December was a busy month. There were so many Christmas parties and festivities to attend. But it was also time for Landree to have another Scottish Rite visit. Last time we went, they had done x-rays on her hips to determine whether she had hip displasia or not. She didn't, but they would redo the x-rays this time, to see if there were any changes.

No changes. The doctor was pleased with what he saw. He was hoping she would be closer to walking by the next appointment, but was overall pleased with her, seeing at the last visit (six months prior) Landree couldn't even sit up on her own. He was encouraged by that.

He said we would keep an eye on her hips and her feet, which are turned a bit outward, but that if there was no improvement when she was closer to four, we would talk about surgery. Hopefully not, but we will see once we get closer to that time.

Love this beautiful bright-eyed girl.

Welcome Back, Ralphie!

I don't know how he does it, but every year he knows exactly when we are setting up our tree and he returns on that night! Oh boy, was AB excited!

I mean, the joy on this child's face is priceless!!! Seeing Ralphie at our porch makes her Christmas.

Daddy reads the Elf on the Shelf story every year. It's so much fun!

All Things Fall 2013 -- Thanksgiving Edition

As if I didn't already love the fall and Thanksgiving itself, this year, Annabelle was in her first play. She was a pilgrim in her play. And what an adorable little pilgrim she was, with her little basket. Made Mommy and Daddy very proud!

Preschool has been the BEST thing for her this year. Her teachers are wonderful and I love the social interaction she's had with the sweet friends she's made. This will serve her well in Kindergarten.

Annabelle and her "best" friend, Zachary.

So much fun spending the afternoon with her girl at her school. After her play we stayed for the Thanksgiving feast.

I brought home several Thanksgiving crafts for the girls to do over the break. I thought it would be fun to do one a day and teach them about the first Thanksgiving. Fun was had by all!

Well. Almost all. Landree got tired of the coloring real quick.

But AB is at the age where it was a blast for her. Preschool has also really helped her with her fine motor and I've seen a huge improvement in her handwriting and work!

This is Annabelle's Thanksgiving outfit I had made for her this year. 

I was super proud of Landree. I did Thanksgiving shopping with BOTH girls this year at Wal-Mart. As much of a beating as that was, the girls were amazing little shoppers and this was LC's first time to sit in a grocery cart for an extended period of time. She did wonderful! It wore her out, but as always, she was a trooper.

Of course, we couldn't make it through the break without an ear infection. Landree came down with one over the break. At least I got a cute shot out of it!

Thanksgiving night was fun with the cousins. Baby Jerzee isn't pictured (neither is Zoe), but now there are five cousins! Six, when Zoe gets here! So excited to add to the group.

These two little turkeys had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving break. So blessed I get a whole week to spend it with them.