Have I said this before? I LOVE Christmas!!! And this year was wonderful, is there anything sweeter than baby's first Christmas, and a preschooler that loves it all too?
We had a great time with the girls at Ava's class Christmas party, and I was so fortunate to join the celebration! Vivian and even dad joined us!
Getting ready to head out...love this face!
The kids treated us to a few songs...Ava had bells and had a great time singing!
Ava singing sweetly, and Vivian enjoying the music.
Daddy joined us!
They played this cute snowball game.
The most precious picture...this girl LOVES her daddy.
We also bought a new tree this year. I can not tell you how exciting this was!! Our first tree was a Charlie-Brown tree that I bought in college, our other one I bought for $5 at a garage sale. When we put it up in the house, it looked tiny and sad. So we splurged this year on a big, prelit tree that will hopefully last us the rest of our lives. I am so grateful, I know it wasn't at all a need but something so nice to have.
The girls had a great time "helping"!
We finished putting up the tree and let Ava decorate it. Most of the ornaments ended up in one spot, but she had an absolute blast and I loved watching her enjoy something that I love so much.
Admiring her work....
And out came the nativity scene. The girls both enjoyed playing with it this year, and Vivian especially loved the music.
And Josh FINALLY got Christmas lights for the house and put them up!! These two are admiring his work!
Mimi and Papa came over and Papa helped Josh hang lights, and spent some time with the girls.
Standing like a big girl...I wonder if she will be walking by Christmas....
We started a Christmas countdown too, with a daily devotional for the kids plus a fun activity to go with it. It didn't last the entire month, but we still did quite a few fun things.
A new Christmas book for the girls....
Making a countdown manger scene....
Putting up the felt tree, to decorate and redecorate all season....
First big snow day! They took the sled out to the small hill behind the house, perfect sized for Ava. Emmitt enjoyed it too, but he tried running across the frozen pond and that did not end well!
First homemade hot cocoa. She liked the marshmallows the best!
Making salt dough handprint ornaments....this, my friends, was a fail. We will try again another day. At least we had fun making them!
Daddy has the right touch.
We built with Magnatiles, and rebuilt, and rebuilt...probably the most loved activity this month. Vivian even got a nickname, "Vivizilla," for her love of destroying them as soon as they are finished.
Gluten free, vegan sugar cookies - they were awesome, and we had a blast making them!!
First time playing Candyland, she was an expert in no time!
Nightly dance party...Ava has some moves! Looks like dance class is paying off.
On her way to dance class. Doesn't she look so big?
She made a paper Christmas wreath by cutting out pieces of green paper and gluing them on...simple and she loved it.
Reading with Papa.
Bathtime!!
Supergirl! Dressing up has suddenly become a big deal. (Thanks to the Indellicates for the cute Supergirl costume!)
Supergirl nursing her baby....
Sister love. And headlocks.
December was the best! Looking forward to everything 2014 has instore for us!
Wife of 9 years to an amazing husband Josh,football coach extraordinaire, and mom to 3 year old Miss Ava Eloise and baby sister Vivian Grace, as well as full time pediatrician. Trying to learn how to blend the heart of a mom and the head of a doctor, one day at a time....
