Winter Break

Winter break went by way too fast.  Unfortunately, due to work I was unable to see all of our family. The girls and I made a quick one day trip to Maryland to see some of my family.  Isabella and Sophia were excited to play with their cousins Kelty and Olivia. I loved seeing everyone at my Moms house.

Winter break, exploring new toys

Sophia and Olivia

Cousins: Kelty , Isabella, Sophia and Olivia

Crazy Cousins

Chillin' with Mom and Pap

Winter break we fit in a play date at the Gayton Elementary playground.

Isabella and Anna

Winter break ended with our Christmas decorations coming down.  Sophia took the tree topper angel down.  That angel is special to me since I made it with Gram over 20 years ago. One of my favorite joys of Christmas is the memory attached to each ornament.  Christmas is a joyous season.

Time to take down the decorations

An angel with an angel

Daddy & Sophia

Happy Holidays!

Christmas 2015

Twas the day before Christmas and all through the house,

the girls were running in circles like a caged mouse.

Time to head to church for 5pm mass,

I hope the girls contain their sass.

A kiss by the tree and again by the mistletoe,

no more photos because its time to go.

It was dark when we left the crowded church lot,

at home we sprinkled reindeer food outside on the perfect spot.

The reindeer food outside was tossed with joy,

time for cute Christmas jammies and dreams of new toys.

Treats and a Christmas cat, in purple or brown

Milk, cookies and carrots that Santa cant turn down.

Isabella read the Christmas story and then hit the hay

They are both excited for Christmas Day!

The sleepyheads are ready to go downstairs and 

I really need to brush my crazy bed hair!

A classic photo from the top of the stair,

Sophia snuck down early which was not fair.

Rushing to discover Christmas joy

Did Santa leave them a special toy?

Isabella's look of surprise says it all,

under the tree her gifts are stacked tall.

The girls enjoyed opening each and every gift,

even a big heavy tent that they could not lift.

Showing off all of their gifts,

Santa covered their entire wish list.

A wacky worm from G-mom and PopPop

This gummy snack will be hard to top.

After dinner treat to see Christmas lights,

all the lights displayed were quite a sight.

A day full of love, blessings and joy,

ended with a sister sleepover, oh boy!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Here are a few funny stories from Christmas day:

Sophia "Can we open gifts now?"

Mom: "Check with Bella to see if she is ready?"

Sophia "Bella is still sleeping..."

Mom "Lets give Bella a little longer to sleep"

Sophia: "I can't wait to go downstairs to play with my pink walkie talkies and baby doll from Santa." 

Mom: "Sophia, did you go downstairs already?"

Sophia: "No"

Mom: "Oh really??"

 Its pretty obvious when a 6 year old does not tell the truth.  She discovered two unwrapped Santa gifts under the tree. On the positive side, the rest of us got a little extra sleep.

While opening Christmas stocking Sophia exclaimed "Oh a spanker!".  It was a wooden back scratcher.

Ah the joys of children.

Countdown to Christmas

Here is a recap of the days leading up to Christmas....

Warm weather greeted us in December

Mission Overnight Curls

Sophia enjoying Scouts

Excited to leave the house to visit Santa

Santa 2015

Isabella asked Santa for a metal detector and a telescope.  Sophia asked for a real live baby and a photo of her family.  After visiting Santa we rode the mini train around the mall.

Bunco Holiday Party

Excited our tree has lights on it!

Kissy face!

Christmas Cuties

In the land of lipstick and shimmer...

Girl Scout cookie decorating

Isabella helped Sophia's troop with cookies

On Christmas eve this year we received a letter from our elves Lacey and Dorothy.  The letter said the girls could hold the elves for a few minutes and it would not affect their magic. The girls enjoyed holding them and saying goodbye till next year. 

Our December was a very busy one.  I did not have time to bake any cookies, other than the store bought break and bake cookies for Santa we cooked on Christmas eve.  Working during the holidays was a challenge for all but we made the best of it.  I may have missed doing a few traditions with our family but I did not miss out on quality time with my family.  Time with my family is the best gift of all.