Christmas 2014!

Well it's been another crazy month, with birthday party planning, cleaning the new house, getting new carpet installed, etc.  This blog has definitely taken the back burner lately, which I hate, because writing and posting pictures about my life is how I remember it.  My memory is horrible and you have no idea how often I go back and reference this blog to remember certain things.  So I hate when I have things that I know I want to post about, but can't seem to find the time or energy to do it.  So I am making time.  Christmas was over a month ago, and our lives are only going to get crazier as we are moving into our new house.

This Christmas was especially joyful because it was the first year that Addy truly understood the excitement.  She eagerly anticipated Santa's arrival and LOVED decorating the house for the holidays!  

She even read a book to the Christmas tree:

We delayed our closing date on the new house until after Christmas so that we wouldn't be adding the stress of moving to an already stressful, busy time.  And I am so glad that we did.  We had Christmas at Tina and Jay's house with them and it was great!

Addy and Emma watching Daddy and Uncle Jay put up the outdoor decorations

My little elves :)

We went to see Santa.  Emmy was wary of him, but Addy was awesome!  She was so excited!

They could've gotten a better Santa, that's for sure.  But it was cute because we got a video too!

Santa also came through Tina and Jay's neighborhood in a fire truck and he stopped and let all of the kids sit on his lap.  I mean ALL of them.  All 40+ of them.  It was so nice.  I'm sure they weren't anticipating such a turnout, but they stayed at our stop for almost 45 minutes!  One of the neighbors hosted and we all had drinks and snack while we waited.  Fun times had by all :)

Addy got her nails painted for the very first time and she loved it!  And then she promptly peeled most of it off that night ;)

And you can't have the Christmas season without a Starbucks Red Cup!  

Addy's very own hot chocolate!

Tina and Jay got Addy a Gingerbread house making kit, and all six of us had fun with that one afternoon :)

Addy was so excited about her new tricycle from Pap and Meemaw:

And these coat/hat combos from Aunt Sue and Uncle Lee are the best!!

We had Christmas at my Dad's house when my step-sister and her family were in town from Vegas:

Of course, this toy was Emmy's but Addy loved it!!

I

I LOVE these stockings that the kids have at my Dad's house!  And Addy was very into opening the stocking gifts, as she discovered that a lot of them were candy ;)

And then we tried it.  Yup we tried to get a photo of the three kiddos together.  Ha!  Next to impossible ;)

This was the best I could get.  Emma, Addy, and Aiden.  Cousins :)

And then Christmas Eve was finally here.... and half of our household was sick :(  No joke.  Mike, Emma, and Tina were all under the weather.  Jay, Addy, and I were fine.  We were a house divided ;)  So us well folks headed next door for the neighbors annual Christmas party, while the sickies stayed home.

Addy and I are ready to go!

Mike and Emma...not so much ;)

Aunt Tina and I read Christmas Eve stories to the ladies:

We got cookies and milk ready for Santa:

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care:

And Christmas, it came!!!

Addy got a note from Santa!

Love the excitement!

Emmy loved this light up Penguin :)

But I think her favorite toy was the You Are My Sunshine book :)

And the skates!  Oh the skates!  That is all Addy ever said when people asked her what she wanted for Christmas.  I have no idea how she even knew what skates were, but she did, and she wanted some.  And she was soooo excited to get them!

Christmas outfits are on.... Emmy's is complete with a hat.  This girl LOVES hats!  She carries them around saying "hat hat" until someone puts it on her head.

And no fancy outfit would be complete without a twirl :)

And here we are: the whole crew. 

 I can't look at Emmy here without laughing.  But that's us these days.  A little disheveled, but full of love.  It's been a crazy couple of months but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I am so grateful for the generosity of my sister and brother-in-law, and am very blessed to have the amazing family that I do.  It was a Merry Christmas indeed :)