Merry Christmas!!!!!!

I can't believe that Christmas Day is finally here! It always seems like we anticipate this day for so long and then it's over so quickly.

Our day started at about 7:00 when Miss Annlee got up - that's sleeping late for her! Kaylin came into our room about 7:15 and they were able to wait about 2 minutes before deciding that we needed to go wake up Maryella. She was sound asleep when I went in to get her. She looked up and I told her Merry Christmas and the first thing she wanted to know was if Santa was here. She had been worried about Santa coming into her house. I suppose that is a bit unnerving if you don't understand the whole process to well.

While trying to get a bit of video of them waiting to go into the living room, we discovered that the video tape was full in the camera. Jeff went on a fruitless search to find a new one and I snapped this picture of the girls waiting in the hallway. It didn't take long before Maryella decided she had had enough and was ready to see what the excitement was all about.

So we checked out the cookie plate first - always a highlight of the morning. The girls decided he must have been eating tons of cookies and gotten full, because he didn't quite finish the cookies on the plate.

The stockings were next to be investigated. This was a hit for Maryella, as she had asked for candy for Christmas. She ate one piece before I could stop her and could barely get through the rest of the morning without eating more. It was torture for her.

Next, we moved to the other living room to see what else Santa had left. He was pretty good to the girls this year. For the 3 of them together, he left a nice wooden vanity complete with fake makeup and fun beauty shop supplies, a robotic dog named Lucky, the Kerplunk game, and the movie, Annie.

Each of the girls also had a small stash of their own with one main gift from Santa. Kaylin got a Hannah Montana guitar that she hasn't put down since. Annlee got a Crayola Glow Station and Maryella got a baby doll in a stroller.

Then it was time to move on to the wrapped gifts. The girls got 2 outfits - one skirt or dress and one jeans outfit each. They each got a movie - Madagascar, Little Mermaid Beginnings, and Alvin and the Chipmunks. They each got a toy from Mama and Daddy - an ice cream sandwich maker for Kaylin, a doll that swims for Annlee, and a Fisher-price laptop for Maryella. They also each got a gift from their sisters - a craft kit to make your own bouncy balls for K, a watch for A, and dress up shoes for M. Jeff and I also got plenty of nice things - lots of fishing supplies, pictures for his desk, and an outdoor Christmas tree for Jeff. Some new pjs, a necklace, earrings, broom vac, and Jim Shore angel for me.

So all in all, I believe, they would agree that they had a great Christmas. After all the gifting was complete, we relaxed and they played for awhile. We opened boxes, put in batteries, and tried to train a very stubborn robotic dog (at this point, I wouldn't recommend Lucky). The girls decorated a birthday cake for Jesus and we got lunch ready. After eating, the girls were due for a nice long rest time. Now they are up again and playing with all the new toys. So far, Maryella hasn't asked for anymore candy, a very good thing considering the state of her diaper after binging on several pieces of chocolate, a chocolate sucker, some gummies, runts and goldfish before lunch. Hey, it's Christmas - if you can't let them eat candy today, when can you?

Christmas Eve

We had a busy yet fun Christmas Eve. We let the girls open one gift that morning - a hand puppet to make. They made those and then put on puppet shows for me as some entertainment for awhile.

After that, we made some cookies for Santa, they were snickerdoodles and were really good. The girls did most of it themselves and did a pretty good, although messy, job. But we had fun!

After that, it was time for lunch and a nap and then off to practice for the girls for the Christmas Eve service. We had 2 services - a 4:30 family service and a 6:00 traditional service. The girls and I went to the 4:30 where Kaylin and Annlee were in a cute skit. We then kept the nursery for the 6:00 service.

When we got home, the girls opened up their new pjs, put out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. Then it was off to bed with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads.

An Early Christmas Dinner

We made an impromptu trip down to Tampa yesterday to have an early Christmas dinner. Jeff's cousin, Ray, was coming down from Atlanta with his daughter Torey - and everyone else was going to be there too. So we made the effort to drive the 5 hr round trip to make the family complete. It went well, but the girls were SO tired last night when we finally got home at about 11pm. All three ended up falling asleep on the drive back (an unheard of occurance). So far, they've done pretty well today, but I forsee 3 naps as soon as lunch is over! Kaylin and Maryella actually slept until nearly 8:30 this morning! Of course, early bird Annlee was up at the usual 6:15.

Our time in Tampa was fun and filled with laughter and yummy food. It was great seeing everyone together! Here are a few pictures from our evening.

Ray and Torey

Heather (Jeff's sister) and her hubby, Rafael - they are expecting a baby boy in May! Yay! Our first nephew!

Mom and Aunt Sandi

Kaylin and Annlee with Madison and Austin

Bobby (Jeff's brother) and Matthew

The whole group!

Christmas with our Tampa family

Jeff's family came up this weekend to celebrate an early Christmas with us and we had a great time! On Saturday afternoon, we went downtown to see the snow that had been brought in for all the kids to play in. It was terribly crowded, but the girls got to sled down the hill twice each. Maryella wouldn't sled the first time, but went down with Papa the second time and cried the whole way down. She was more interested in picking up the snow at the bottom of the hill. (Although that made me nervous with all the other kids still coming down the hill.)
These pictures are from our fun at "Snow Day".

When we got back to the house, most everyone took a bit of a nap and then we celebrated Christmas. The girls got tons of gifts and loved everything. Here are a few pictures from the gift opening extravaganza...

Today's Church Fun!

Today was a busy, fun day at church. Kaylin played in the Children's Handbell Choir and Annlee sang in the preschool Children's Choir. We also had a lunch after church complete with a birthday cake for Jesus (although I haven't got pictures of that). We were all dressed Christmasy, so we had someone take our picture after church too. The girls were both excited anout their performances this morning and did really well.

Breakfast with Santa

Yes, another one! This time we had breakfast with Santa at our church. Kaylin and Annlee were so excited to go sit in his lap! Maryella didn't really want to go up, but that candy cane was calling her name! So she agreed to go if I would go with her.

Annlee's Christmas Program

Annlee had her Christmas Program at school today and it was so cute! They sang songs and recited poems and did a really good job. She was so excited to be up there - couldn't wait for today!

Here's a few pictures from the program while they were singing.