We've taken too many pictures the last few days and I'm going to post a lot of them so beware! We've had too much fun with the Christmas season this year with the girls. It was definitely a Christmas to remember forever.
Gingerbread Houses
We've never done one as a family before, but our neighbor gave us one this year and Mikayla had a blast putting it together. I've decided store bought is definitely the way to go-SO much easier and it actually stayed standing!
Santa's Workshop!
Each year we set up Santa's workshop in the garage to make our homemade presents. This year all the girls got in on the fun.
"Me be so becited for Christmas!"
"Like my bracelets? I got them at Wal-Mart!"
Maylee didn't stay out of the presents as well as Mikayla did!
Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve we had a baking and cooking marathon most of the morning to get ready for the big day.
This was Mikayla's baking/crafting outfit.
Nanny Jill came over for a bit in the morning and had the honors of doing "library time" (story time) with the girls.
Opening the traditional Christmas Eve jammies.
This is Mikayla clapping her hands and saying, "Look guys! CLOTHES!" We are in serious trouble.
A picture of the jammies with Mikayla smiling...
One with Maylee smiling.
Acting out the nativity. Some day Maylee will have more hair and won't have to be Joseph. Someday.
The girls got to open their dollar store gifts for each other on Christmas Eve. Maylee gave Mikayla a hair styling kit and everyone got their hair curled.
Even Dad.
Christmas Day
Christmas was awesome this year, thanks to big scores from yard sales, gift cards, prizes at work parties, friends, and family. We were so excited! We wanted to get things for the girls to do outside and so far we have absolutely LOVED having an "excuse" to go outside and play more. Thankfully we live in a place where you can play outside on Christmas (some of us in shorts and short sleeves!). We were so lucky to have Grandad and Nana join us for Christmas morning and our neighbor and Uncle Stan come over in the evening. Auntie Maren and Uncle Jake came to open their presents late Christmas night. It truly was a magical day.
Coming in to see what Santa brought!
Mikayla's big Santa present.
Maylee's big Santa present.
The sister gift!
Mikayla sees the car and first thing she says is "I need my purse!" She had to go find a purse before she would even get in to try out the car.
Dad's Santa/work prize present-a green machine! So much fun!
Mikayla asked Santa for a diamond (which when asked if she knew what a diamond was she replied, "A shape, Mom!") and paper for Christmas. She got a roll of paper and here she is showing off her diamond bling ring.
One elated chick.
Grandad and Nana's prize from Santa's workshop.
Maylee's favorite present.
My favorite picture.
Seriously-how could a Christmas not be great with a picture like that?!?
Dustin surprised me and got me a copy of this painting that I have loved forever. I am stoked!
Maylee's first Christmas ornament.
Okay, as we all know Mikayla is obsessed with hair. My Mom and Dad gave her this mannequin head to do hair on and when she opened it she totally freaked out like it was a real head rolling around on the floor. It was totally priceless. "Deb" has become our friend now and gets her hair styled often already.
A wagon from Nana and Grandad and a green machine=best tag games ever!
Our neighbor loves sock monkeys and always gives the girls something sock monkey for Christmas/birthdays. These slippers are my favorite so far. They are adorable!
Dad riding the green machine and pulling the wagon for our little diva.
The boys' surprise present...
Cowboy hats!
The day after!
What Mikayla was calling a "bed party with Deb". Kind of freaky? Yes.
Rides around the neighborhood.
Playing with toys (old and new) like crazy because everything is more fun with Dad home to play with!
"This yellow hair be so pretty!"
We are blessed beyond anything we could ever imagine or deserve and are so grateful. Life is so sweet!