Christmas 2013

It's a new year, and I have a new goal. I want to keep up with my blog again.   I have really slacked due to Instagram and Facebook, but I miss coming back to read. I want these blog posts to be made into books that my girls can keep. (especially since scrapbooking is not happening these days!) So, the first post of the year is our Christmas. (Of course, at a glance as I took over 300 pictures! Not including the pictures Ava took! That's another story.)
We had a low key Christmas this year which was much needed. We LOVED spending the time together.   We went looking at Christmas lights one cold night and went to the live nativity at church.
We cooked, made gingerbread houses, read our Christmas books, played games and really enjoyed just being together.

Santa came for a visit at our house! (We had Santa Mini's this year for many of our friend's and family!) Santa showed Ava how he uses his magic...a touch of the nose. Poor Emma was not a fan,
maybe next year???

Christmas Eve started the Christmas events.  We laughed that all Mimi needed to buy Emma was a $5 bear.  The girls loved their Ariel doll's that the tail changes colors and both got new vanities. 

Then it was a mad dash to get cookies out and kiddos in bed.  This year both were so excited about Santa's arrival!
  
Jarred is usually the first one up by 5, much too excited to sleep. This year Ava beat him and was just sitting in the living room looking and waiting. Sweet Emma was mad, she wanted to sleep. We laughed and said she was more like an 8:30 type of girl. (Hum, she is like her momma!)
The excitement was high. Ava was hardly finished with one gift before she was starting on another. Emma, on the other hand found her new baby and didn't want another thing! She named her baby "baby Jesus" and was immediately in love. "Baby Jesus" was put in the stroller Santa brought and strolled all through the house. "Baby Jesus" would start to cry and Emma would always want me to help. Such a sweet little momma!


Ava loved the new "Mini truck" and her new camera. By the end of the day, I was exhausted from posing and smiling. I got to see first hand how my sweet girls feel as they always have the camera pointed at them.  The great news is I have not ruined them! :-)

Here is Ava's pictures from Christmas morning. I laugh at her perspective, I love getting to see it
through her eyes.
 
My favorite gift was my new pink speaker and I would say Jarred was really surprised by the
new binoculars.
 
Then we had lunch and opened more presents. The new Frozen castle was a huge hit from Papa John.  And now we have Ariel hair from Aunt Ash.
 
So much to be thankful for this Christmas. Thankful for my family that God blessed me with. I sure try and not take a single moment for granted.