Smiling with Santa

Lizzie sat on Santa's lap this year!

Lizzie Dances with Jingles the Tree

Christmas Morning

Opening gifts and taking pictures is hard! We were just about done by the time I remembered to grab the camera. One special gift for me this year is a gold ring that is tied in a forget-me-not tie. I showed the ring to Brett because it reminded me of my Mom, but I didn't think he would spend that much money for the ring since Brett and I were already exchanging a new computer for Christmas. Speaking of gifts, Brett and I are hooked on a new show called 'Once Upon a Time'. He named my gifts after the show - my fluffy white, coziest socks in the world were from 'Snow White, the gold ring was from 'Rumpelstiltskin', etc. Very clever.

Christmas Eve Dinner

We had Aunt Jolie and Uncle Dave over for Christmas Eve dinner and had such a wonderful time that I forgot to take pictures! Aunt Jolie and Uncle Dave spoiled Liz with some great toys (one being the gigantic white bear in the first picture). Actually, they spoiled all of us :)

Timming the Tree

They're hard to see, but the tree has these beautiful glass ornaments in different shapes. The ornaments belonged to my Mom so they made the tree extra special. I made the angel at the top of the tree when I was in 3rd or 4th grade and remembered it always being on top of our tree when I was growing up. I recently inherited my art work back from my parents.

Cupcake Time

Carter and Liz had a great time making cupcakes. Cupcakes made by 2 year olds are delicious!

Gingerbread House Time

Sledding in the House

Lizzie got this great sled from the Josh, Dana and Carter. Carter and Liz loved sledding in the house. We can't wait to hit the snow.

Popsicle and Lizzie Reading Together

Lizzie's First Paint Job

Botantical Christmas Lights with the Heyum Family

This was our second year going to see the lights with the Heyum Family and we had a wonderful time. The big hit of the night was the dragon light installation, which was made out of over 6,000 lights and would spew smoke from its nose.

Botantical Christmas Lights with the Lee Family

We had a wonderful time going to see lights with the Lee family. I LOVE this picture of Alex and Lizzie.

Lizzie Thought I was Funny

I was feeding Liz eggs and Laughing Cow cheese for breakfast this morning. She had a small piece of cheese in her fingers and I had a small piece of cheese in my fingers so I said 'Cheers' and 'clinked' our pieces of cheeses together before I ate my piece. She laughed and said 'that's funny' :)

Bear Project - Year 2

My Most Precious 40th Birthday Gift

My Mom had made my sister and I blankets quite a few years ago. After she passed, I frantically looked through the house for my blanket. To my utter sadness, I realized that the blanket had gotten lost in one of our moves. My sister gave me her blanket for my birthday and I was so touched by her generosity. Thanks Steph.

Happy 2nd Birthday Liz

Unfortunately Liz was sick on her 2nd birthday. That didn't stop her though from enjoying special green eggs from Mr. Robert and Miss Erica's farm, eating ice cream cake, or opening gifts. Most of the gifts in the picture below is from her Grandpa Kelley who picked some dillies. Liz especially loved the dinosaur and Elf, which is an elf that watches her and reports to Santa in the evening on whether she has been good or not. Miss Mary made Liz a beautiful bag (I got one too!) that she uses to carry some of her little stuffed animals around. Brett and I bought her the bicycle, but had to exchange it for another brand since the Skuut turned out to be too tall. Speaking of gifts, my parents had bought Liz the learning tower (see a post from October) for her 2nd birthday which she LOVES and uses everyday. I definitely think that I got my lack of patience when giving gifts from my Mom :)