Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Our Christmas

This year we had a pretty good Christmas. It seemed to go by so fast, as it does every year though. We started our celebrating this past Friday. Usually we see Josh's family on Christmas night but this year Josh's brother was not going to be here on Sunday so we changed it to Friday but also had planned to see his parents Christmas night. We spent Friday night at Josh's parents house and we were able to spend time with Sam and Lyndsey and also Josh's grandparents. We had a nice dinner and then let the girls open up their gifts from Sam and Lyndsey and also GiGi and Papa. Ryleigh wasn't really into opening up gifts much this year. Once she had one thing, she didn't realize there was more stuff. Emma was a pro at opening her gifts and some of Ryleigh's too. Emma got a little T-Ball set and a TAG reader book from Sam and Lyndsey. GiGi and Papa also gave her 2 TAG reader books and a puzzle. Ryleigh got a  Peek-A-Shoe Octopus and also a Little People Noahs Ark. These little girls were so spoiled and they were just getting started. 


Sam helped both girls open up the gifts they had gotten them.



On Christmas Eve we went to my mom and dads house for dinner. The past couple of years it has just been us and my mom and dad, but Katie got to come this year. We were so excited to have her there because she has worked Christmas eve night the past several years. While we were there my mom and dad gave Emma one of her gifts so that the girls could play with it. Emma got a Princess Tea Cart. It is the cutest thing ever. My mom sat on the floor and put crackers and water(tea) in it so she and Emma could have a tea party. I didn't get any pictures but I have it all on video. Emma really loves it and has played with it a lot since then. 

Once we got home from mom and dads house it was time to put out cookies and milk for Santa. We put Ryleigh to bed first because if not, Santa didn't stand a chance. Emma was so excited when she went to bed. She is finally at the age where she sort of understands Christmas but I don't think she quite knew what to expect in the morning. I'm sure next year will be even more fun. 

Christmas morning the girls got up and Emma came to see what Santa had left. She got a princess sleeping bag and also a Cinderella dress. She was so excited and she has worn that Cinderella dress most of the time we have been at home now. When Ryleigh came out of her room I tried to direct her to the tree but she went straight to the refrigerator. She is a creature of habit and she HAD to have her milk before doing anything else. After her milk, I brought her over to the tree and she got a Whacky Ball from Santa. She LOVED it. She played it most the time we were opening presents. 




This year Emma got dress up shoes, puzzles, an Innotab, and a princess game for her Innotab. Ryleigh got a Mrs. Potato Head Silly Suitcase, a shape sorter, and a Weeble tree house. We try really hard to stick to the 3 gifts rule every year. The girls did really well this year with opening gifts. Emma was very respectful and waited her turn. She also said thank you for everything she received. It is so important for them to learn to be appreciative and also to know that it really isn't about all the new toys. 

Once we were done at home we headed to my mom and dads house again. We got there really early so we went ahead and started opening more gifts. Josh and I received our gift from my mom and dad a couple of weeks ago. We got an HD Flip video camera. They gave it to us early so that we could record Emma's parade and also Christmas. We love our new camera and it is going to capture so many memories with our girls. Mom and dad gave Ryleigh the cuuuuutest baby stroller and cabbage patch doll. Emma got a princess piano.




Ryleigh loves getting kisses from Papa. She has been in such a lovey mood lately. She is giving TONS of kisses to everyone and will come hug you all day long. When I say "I love you Ryleigh" she climbs up on me and gives me at least 10 kisses. She is in such a sweet stage right now. 


Aunt Katie really spoiled the girls too. She helped Emma open up some dress up clothes that she got her. 

Nana and Papa gave Cheyenne a guitar for Christmas and it was very popular with the girls. Emma LOVED playing it. I see her wanting one in the near future.  :)

We left mom and dads around 11:30 and came home for lunch and to let the girls nap. We had plans to see Josh's parents that night but we found out at lunch that his mom's dog had been having seizure since Christmas eve night and they had to go to the emergency vet. We ended up spending the rest of the day at home and playing with all the new toys. 

We got to see Josh's parents on Monday afternoon to exchange gifts. The girls got some really cool stuff from them also. Emma got an Innotab game, puzzles, some kitchen supplies, a sticker book, and another game. Ryleigh got a ball popper and a Laugh and Learn Picnic Basket. 

I took the Christmas tree and all the decorations down first thing Monday morning. I do that every year because once Christmas is over I am ready to move forward to the coming year. I am so excited about starting 2010 and can't wait to see what is in store for our little family. 

We really had a wonderful Christmas and we are so blessed to have amazing family to spend it with. I hope you all had a great Christmas also. 


Just as a little side note....please don't take this as me listing out every single thing that the girls got for Christmas because that is not my intention. I use this blog to document everything and I like to look back and see what the girls were interested in and what they got for Christmas.

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