Christmas 2017

Christmas this year was super simple.  We knew that we would be welcoming Sena just a little bit beforehand so we had no expectations for the holiday just wanted to enjoy some quality family time. 

Ready for Christmas Eve church

Opening gifts from cousins

The girls woke up at their usual time (please Lord can we get a few more years of this?!) and we headed downstairs.  Mara was a tad disapointed as she was convinced that it would snow on Christmas Day, that this act of weather would define the holiday.  Hunger quickly was forgotten when they saw that the stockings were filled.  We told them we would open stockings but then it was breakfast time!

Mara was a serious joy to watch.  She was really into it and I found it interesting how quickly she grasped onto the idea of Santa.  Santa is something we have never really reinforced or encouraged.  We're kind of indifferent about the idea but she was insistent this year so Santa brought the stockings.  ;)

Maddy helping with the fire before presents

American girl dolls for the win

Breakfast was homemade pancakes which Mara helped make.  She has really become a little baker and enjoys being in the kitchen with me. 

After we ate we passed out presents and got to it.  The girls were fun to watch as they both really grasped the whole concept of opening the gifts and why we had presents.  We got them both American Girl Dolls for their one gift from us.  It was my hope to give them their own baby as we just added a baby to our family.  Maddy was hilarious and so expressive when opening hers.  I knew she would love it even more than Mara.

They both loved this talking tea set

Concentrating hard on opening

They also got Lincoln logs, legos, accessories for their dolls, outdoor play toys and doll furniture.  Everything has been a hit in its own right.  They bounce from new toy to new toy enjoying all.  Maddy loves her new blow up horse from my brother and her talking tea pot from Aunt Mary.  Mara is loving her duplo legos from Aunt Mary and keeps serving us her new cupcakes from Grandma and Grandpa.  The matching jammies were also big hits with both girls!

Bonus presents were brought up from the basement

Poor Sena didn't get any presents this year! We were just thankful to have her with us!!

The rest of the day was spent relaxing, watching football and enjoying our new toys.  We skyped with family and ate some yummy food for dinner! Can't wait till next year when we have three little girls ripping paper off presents!

Grandma & Grandpa scored with matching pjs

Dolly bunk beds

Christmas

This year we spent Christmas here in our home in Georgia.  It was our first in this new home and Maddy's first making it special.  We do a lot as a family leading up to the day to focus our hearts and minds on the real reason for the season.

I really wanted to minimalize the gifts because one the girls have too much and two like I said I just wanted to focus on the true meaning of the holiday.  We decided to limit our gift giving to one larger present and stockings.  The girls got each other one present too.  The rest we let grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc. send.

Bike helmet from Aunt Mary

It was one of those perfect mornings involving lots of snuggles in bed before heading downstairs.  Thankfully Mara still doesn't get too excited (or frankly remember) when its Christmas so we can still delay the morning some.  We headed downstairs and started opening!

The girls both got bikes from mom & dad as well as a wagon from Grandma and Grandpa.  Aunt Mary came through with a fun Little tikes camper that is still fought over daily.  Nana and Papa gave Mara a cleaning set which she uses daily to help our housekeeper and Maddy loves on the dolly they sent.

Before Christmas Eve Service

Josh and I decided not to exchange this year and gifted each other a handwoven Georgian rug which we bought later that month.  I loved watching Maddy experience the holiday for the first time.  Mara was not into it her first two Christmas's and even was a little overwelmed last year.  But Maddy was all into it and loved pulling the paper off and exploring the gifts!

Matching pjs for Christmas Eve!

Baby's first Christmas

The rest of day was kind of low key.  The kids played and Maddy took her nap.  We headed to church service at 4 and then to a friends house for dinner after.  Dinner was so nice and I was thankful to be able to celebrate with an amazing meal and friends!

Stockings were hung by the chimney with care

Maddy was obsesed with this dolly from Nana and Papa

Christmas kisses from daddy at church

Christmas 2015

Christmas this year was pretty great.  Mara (thankfully) isn't quite at the wake up early age yet so we got to sleep in till after 8:30.  Before going down to start our own Christmas we skyped with my mom and let Mara open up two presents from her.  Minnie's camper was a huge hit and Mara loves carrying Minnie around everywhere we go.

After skyping we went downstairs to start our own family Christmas.  I had planned on letting Mara open all her presents first but it was almost like pulling teeth to get her interested.  lol  I think this is because we gave her our big present first or more so we didn't wrap it so she wanted to jump on her trampoline all morning.  So we did a present here and there while Josh and I opened from each other.

Mara seemed to love all of the presents she received but has been enthralled by her trampoline, dollhouse (from aunt Mary), picnic table (from Uncle Joe) and sorting cupcakes from Mommy and Daddy.

I'm in love with my pots and pans from my parents and Josh is super excited to use the brewing supplies they sent him as well.

After Christmas presents were opened we had a lazy lunch followed by naps for all!  My kind of day! :)  For dinner we headed to old town and indulged at Organique, a small specialty beef restaurant.  It was absolutely delicious!

I'm so thankful for the true meaning of Christmas and getting to celebrate our Savior's birth.  I am so so happy that we were able to spend this holiday together as a family of three.  Family makes the season and I am so grateful for my little (but growing) one!






 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Visiting Santa

Mara has never been a fan of Santa.  Even at 3 months (her first Christmas) she screamed when we put her on his lap.  I'm not sure in the future we will continue to torture her but this year we made the trek once again.

Santa was at the ambassador's house this year along with his Georgian counterpart, Tovolis Papa.  Josh was roped into taking pictures for all the embassy families so it was just Mara and I for most of the party.

We ate cookies and grabbed some crafts to do at home.  We also took lots of pictures with the festive decor.  Mara's favorite part was probably just running around with her buddies, Noey and Emmaline.
As soon as it was our turn, Mara did exactly what I expected.  She froze.  She wouldn't move even though she clearly saw Daddy in the room with the two other guys.  I took a few pictures with her and then we just went for it.  I threw her on Santa's lap and Josh snapped away.

Gosh she was traumatized.  Didn't want to go near the room for the rest of the time.  So that being said we may have to rethink next year's Santa visit.

For a peak at past Santa encounters check out last years visit and her first Christmas.

Trimming the Tree

Turkey day!

Mara was a fan of the hummus

Not bad for my first turkey

Time to eat!

Turkey's eaten now for the tree

Mara was really into it

Mommy & Daddy

Finished product

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

This weekend we decked the halls to get ready for Christmas.  I love pulling out our decorations but try really hard to resist till after Thanksgiving.  Here are some of our Christmas touches around our apartment!