Snapshots of Christmas Day

Early in the morning ...

Avery helping Ella with her stocking. (We had to wake Ella up. See her big yawn?)

the Leapster was one of the two things she REALLY wanted

Ella got her own babydoll so she doesn't have to borrow Avery's anymore

What was Santa thinking with this noisy drum set? ;)

trying out gifts: See the necklace, apron, and new scooter?

dressed in her new ballerina dress dancing with her new dance partner




Later that day at Mimi's house ...

so many presents!

Ella didn't quite get it this year, so Avery helped her a lot.

taking a break to show off

This was IT! This was what she wanted and Santa didn't bring!
Little did she know it was waiting at Mimi's house!

Christmas Eve

My family came over on Christmas Eve, and we had such a great time visiting with each other and sharing in the enthusiasm and magic that the girls brought to the evening. We tried to get some pictures after church to commemorate the evening.

the 4th or 5th try with the tripod

Ella thinking: I don't want to sit in this chair and pose for a picture!!!!

Avery: I do!!

Wow! Got them together!

LOVE

The Spirit of Christmas

Avery decided (all on her own) that she wanted to leave a letter for Santa to pick up when he visits our house tonight. She knew exactly what she wanted to tell him, so she asked us to help with spelling, and she wrote from her heart.



"Thank you Santa for helping me learn the spirit of Christmas. Avery 2009"

Here Comes Santa Claus!

Finally .... after four and a half years ... Avery sat on Santa's lap!! Remember this post last year?

This year not only did she sit on his lap, but she told him what she wanted for Christmas (a watch), and even gave him a hug afterward.

Ella settled herself onto his other knee with no problem, and was so fascinated with him, she just popped her thumb into her mouth and wouldn't look away.

I think Avery's willingness this year in large part needs to be credited to this guy:


Arty is his name. He's our Elf on a Shelf and he watches over the girls from a different spot in our house every day. By night he uses his magic to fly back to the North Pole and report their behavior to Santa. Avery is enamored with him, she is fascinated by him, she is ... well, she quite frankly is obsessed with him.

We're really going to miss him when he has to go back home after Christmas.

Thanksgiving in Pictures (and a few words)

We had an absolutely wonderful Thanksgiving this year in Grapevine! With a house filled to the brim with people, Lynn and Barry were the perfect hosts. Here's a recap of some of the fun things the girls did:

made a gingerbread house ... and of course, sampled the mortar!

helped cook, clean, and prepare the table

shared pie ... yum!

roasted s'mores over the campfire

played outside and enjoyed the amazing weather



got dirty and then joined in a one-man naked marching band after bath



rode the "tractor"

had a fantastic time with family!