Christmas Day!

SANTA CAME TO OUR HOUSE LAST NIGHT!!!

He brought lots of goodies, including a doll house, a Cabbage Patch Kid, a car seat, a couple of games, and lots of other random things! 

I'm in love with the dollhouse he brought. 

Olivia immediately went for her stocking.  She was so calm and pulled out each thing one by one and really looked it all over.

She loved having her own sanitizer!   Sometimes it's just the small things!

Mommy! This is just the kind of toothpaste that I wanted!!!! lol.

Luckily, she loved her dollhouse...good thing, as Santa spent a pretty penny on it!  He's hoping she will play for it for years to come!

Last, but not least, Olivia finally got her diamond she's been wanting for over a year!  It's so tiny and precious.  I love it.  She, on the other hand, did express her desire for a big one (like mine), but she's since gotten over it and says she likes it and keeps saying "it's pretty pretty pretty".

Last night, Gram E and Papa gave her this teepee.  We put it up after we were finished opening gifts this morning.

We were searching for Gracie....and found her in the teepee all by herself.  I think she must like it!

Santa also brought snow with him this year.  We've had snow 3 of the 4 Christmases since we've had Olivia.  I'm not sure what this global warming is they all talk about!!!

This was just minutes after it started.  She was SO EXCITED.

I promised her we could go back out later, so I'm sure I'll have more snow pictures to show.  It's been snowing for at least 4 hours since these pics were take, so it's definitely a white Christmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope yours was great!

Christmas Eve 2012

We went to the Christmas Eve service at our church.  It even SNOWED in church at the end of the service!  It was really fun.  Then we headed to my in-laws for dinner/gifts. 

Gram E and I found this chef hat and apron at Christmas in Cowtown this year.  I love it, but it's definitely a little big!  We should get a few years wear out of it for sure!

We got home pretty late, but had one more gift to open (Christmas PJ's...or Christmas gown in this case).

With Bentley...

With Gracie...

We had a great Christmas Eve, but were really really looking forward to what Santa would bring!  Olivia wanted to stay awake so she could give him hugs, but I explained that he won't come unless we are asleep!

Graduations and Christmas

Last weekend, my "baby" cousin Shelby graduated from college!  It's hard to believe she is all grown up!  Olivia is just smitten with her.  She's always liked her, but this visit was extra special.  She was just in awe of her the whole time. So sweet.  (and lucky for me, Shelby is a pretty good role model)

We couldn't find Walter, so he missed out on the pic.  Apparently he walked outside and the door locked behind him....so he was missing a while. LOL.  Oops!

Since the graduation was in Waco (which is just around an hour or so from me), we decided to have Christmas at my house the next day. We ate out for lunch and had thousands of desserts afterwards at our house and exchanged gifts.  It was quick, but fun!

I keep thinking if we keep trying for a good family picture, we'll eventually get one....

Looks like we're going to have to keep trying... :)

Christmas Cookies

Every year, Olivia and I have made Christmas cookies.  I realized after nap yesterday that we may not have another chance, so we went to the kitchen and got to work!  She LOVES to cook and had so much fun!

When I said it was time to clean up, she just about started licking the sprinkles off the counter. Such a sugar addict!

Brunch with Santa

Yesterday after church, we went to my in-laws country club for Brunch with Santa.  We've gone for the past 3 years.  We get to take our pic with Santa, then play a bunch of games and eat brunch.

For the first year, Olivia participated in decorating a cookie for the big gingerbread house.

She also got to make a bracelet.  Jewelry making is serious business.  She also made a Christmas ornament, decorated a picture, got a balloon animal, and who knows what else.  We came home with lots of crafts.

Before we left for church, Olivia made her list for Santa.  We ended up keeping it though.  Santa told her if she would put it under her bed, he would send a special elf to come pick it up at night when she is sleeping!

She insisted we trace her hands on the back.

We won't get to see the official Santa photo for about 2 weeks...but here are a couple I snapped with my camera.

Annual Ornament/Elf on the Shelf Party

On Friday, we went to Nicole's ornament exchange party, which has also become an Elf on the Shelf party.  Everyone brings their elves to hang out with each other (in a basket of course...since you can't touch them).  We always have a good time hanging out with our besties....and Friday was no exception!  There were over 20 children with their moms, so a big crowd to say the least!

Group photo before the guests arrived (Clancy and I arrived early to help set up). 

After the kids played otuside a while and did the ornament exchange, we made edible Christmas trees.  Yum!

How cute are these two?  Olivia just absolutely adores Hudson.  I hope they'll always be friends!

Busy Weekend

We had a fun yet exhausting weekend!

It started late Friday afternoon.  A couple in our community group lost their baby last week, and I volunteered to help clean up after the luncheon they had after the funeral for Baby Jaxon.

Then I headed to our Ladies' Christmas Party, which ended much later than I had expected!  On a side note, I'd been sick all week, so I know this lack of sleep is going to catch up to me sooner or later.

I woke up at 5:30am Saturday morning and volunteered at Bountiful Baskets.  Then we headed to Rowlett for Maggie (5) and Turner's (3) birthday party.  As soon as it was over, we headed back home for our town's Christmas tree lighting and fireworks show.

Sunday's activities involved church, the grocery store, a quick nap and community group.

Tis the Season!!! :)

Olivia with the birthday girl Maggie.

We attempted a group picture with all the kids.  Harper was NOT interested AT ALL.

Happy 5th Birthday Maggie!

Happy 3rd Birthday Turner!

 This boy loves his mama!

Where's Maggie?!

"Santa is coming!!!"....she loved the music and watching Santa.  She did NOT like the fireworks....she kept her head buried in my chest until it was over.  Half the time she was screaming bloody murder.  Scared her to death.  I hope she isn't scarred for life! :(

Before fireworks - obviously.  She only THOUGHT she wanted to see them.