Christmas Day

Christmas with my little girl is the absolute best.  It's all so magical.  I can't even put it into words.  I'm finding that with all my excitement for Evangeline to wake up on Christmas morning, I never sleep well on Christmas Eve night.  I must have woken up 5 different times (and it wasn't Jed's fault).

 

Evangeline awoke on Christmas morning to find an elf costume under the tree.  Santa came through.  She immediately put it on.  It was just what she wanted.

 

 

We call her Jingles Bow-Bow Elf. 

 

There were more rock related gifts and peppermint sticks in stockings....

 

Santa didn't forget Jed.  He had some Blackhawks and Chicago Bears swag under the tree.  Even Santa is determined to turn my son into a sports enthusiast.

 

Every year I think I'm going to start the tradition of a big special Christmas morning breakfast....it will have to wait until next year.  We didn't even have milk or cereal in the house.  We settled for toast, eggnog and clementines.   Evangeline wasted no time digging in to her rock kit.

 

Jingles Bow-Bow had a blast doing her new Mad Libs in the car with us on the way to the farm until she got carsick and decided to take a nap.  

 

Cale didn't know what to think about the elf hat.  He froze up.  He was an expressionless, motionless elf.  He sprang back to life the moment the hat was removed.  

 

More delicious food.  More gifts.  More priceless time with people we love.  

Christmas Eve at Ammie's

This was our first Christmas Eve at Ammie's new house.  It was nice and cozy.  The Burress family came for a few hours as they always do.  We attended the 5:00 church service.  Evangeline sang "The Advent Song" with a few other kiddos at church.  After church we returned to Ammie's house for dinner and gifts.  Christmas Eve is always a special night.    

 

The raincoat and rain boots she received were the perfect gift considering it's been an utterly dismal week weather-wise.  

Evangeline was so excited over Santa's visit that night that I thought she was going to make herself sick.  I have never seen a child more excited to go to sleep.  All the way home from Ammie's she sang "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" at the top of her lungs.  Before I even got everything carried inside she had her jammies on and was up on the countertop getting a plate with cookies to set by the fireplace.

 

Sugar and Spice

Waiting for Christmas is often the best part of Christmas.  I love all the anticipation and activities that surround the holidays.  I love watching Evangeline at the height of her excitement.   I love watching her examine the gifts under the tree over and over with eyes of wonder.  I love snuggling on the couch watching all the Christmas classics on TV.  There is just so much to love about the Christmas season. 

 

I got to visit with my friends, which was extra special.  Lesley was in town for an evening from California and time spent with her is extremely precious. 

 

Evangeline took a Christmas cookie and cupcake decorating class at Clabber Girl last week.  She had a wonderful time creating her ornament and reindeer cookies, and her polar paw and snowman cupcakes.  She was so excited about them and wanted to teach me how to make them, so we made the snowmen cupcakes.  She wrote out a set of directions to show me how to make them.  She decorated all the faces and was pleased as punch with the results.  They turned out great.  We took them to a few holiday get-togethers we attended and they were met with rave reviews.  

 

There was another gingerbread house this year, and peanut butter blossoms to leave out for Santa. 

 

I am beyond excited about my new Santa mugs.  Kyle, Evangeline and Jed got them for me for an early Christmas gift.  Each Santa has a different expression and Evangeline likes to pick which mug we each use.  

 

The two days before Christmas were a real test to Evangeline's patients.  I remember as a child being so excited on Christmas Eve I could burst.  Mom would let me and Zachary open one present, the one from our Texas family, which often included a board game.  It was a great way to spend some of those long Christmas Eve day hours with my brother.  I followed this tradition with Evangeline, but since her brother is too little to play games with her, I opted for a Christmas painting book.  However, she did enjoy reading Christmas books to her brother. 

 

Christmas.  It makes me remember and feel so many things from my past.  There are so many memories hanging on my Christmas tree.  

 

Evangeline left so many notes and pictures for Santa by the fireplace.  

 

Jed is rolling over like crazy.  He loves to roll from his back to his side and back again.  He is also so vocal.  He has discovered that there are so many neat things he can make his vocal cords and lips do.  He had his 4 month doctors appointment last Monday.  He is 25.25 inches long and weights 15 pounds 14 ounces.  He's a big boy. 

 

Santa toes....

 

He just loves examining his fist.  He likes to grab his shirt with his right fist and stare at his left fist.  

 

This was Evangeline's face at the end of Disney's Christmas Carol.  I just happened to have my camera near by and had to snap a picture.  

Christmas With Papa and Karen

The Christmas celebrations were kicked off at Papa and Karen's house this past weekend.  Such a lovely time it was....time with family, Christmas movies, hot chocolate, gifts galore, playing with cousins, delicious food, amazing decorations.  These will be cherished memories that last a lifetime.

 

Evangeline's favorite gifts were rock polishing kit and her crafting kit....in the picture below she working on sewing a little plush dog.