Love the Simple Things

On the 6th day {before} Christmas...

Once again, embracing the iphone photo- while not standing on the green carpet.  Since when is it $23.95 to purchase a photo at the Santa Booth..ugh!  Not having it, so the rule was, if you weren't standing on the green carpet, you could use your own photo devices for a Santa shot.  Embrace the iphone. I'm sure he was telling Laney to be a good girl as she hesitantly keeps her distance from the big white bearded man.  Sweet Maya- sitting quietly eager to tell him her list. 

12 Days {before} Christmas Day 7

Yay for iphone pics in the 12 days album.  After attending a basketball game where my dancers were halftime entertainment, I was ready to relax with some hot cocoa and my most very favorite crinkle cookies made by a family friend.  Now- my favorite cookies are not crinkle cookies.  My favorite cookies are the crinkle cookies made by Miss A.  Scrumptious to a "T".  Brings back memories of early marriage, hanging out with his friend J, fiance to my friend I and J's mom, Miss A- schooling us on the fine points of Christmas baking. 

12 Days {before} Christmas Day 8

....And the cards were completed without a minute to spare, with hopes that the post office soon would be bare.  Thank goodness Maya was eager to help or this year's Christmas festivities may not have included Christmas cards...phew!

On the 9th day {before} Christmas...

Laney had her first gymnastics show!  We love that she has found this love for gymnastics!  She can hardly wait to go each week.  After a long fall of practices they had their end of the year exhibition.  It was so exciting to watch her in her element.  We are so proud of you Laney Kate!

On the 10th day {before} Christmas

A special book to start the season from Maya's Godparents.  Complete with voice-overs from their entire family.  We are so blessed to have such special people in our lives that love our girlies so much.  Maya has called her godsister Nee Nee her entire life...her real name is Emily.  We heard it come out tonight...sigh- my baby is growing up.  But Maya- it's really ok for you to call her Nee Nee.  Now everyone does- her family, her college friends...the nickname stuck! They can hardly wait to play that book again tomorrow!  Thank you!!

On the 11th day {before} Christmas...

Thanks to Pinterest, the treat bags for Maya's class party are ready to go!  Filled with a special hot cocoa mix and a poem, these are sure to make the kiddos smile!  On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer, on Vixen, on Comet, on Cupid, on Donner, on Blitzen.  Can't forget sweet Rudolf, the most famous reindeer of all!

12 days {before} Christmas Day 12

Oh Christopher, it sure is fun having you around this season.  We are so happy that you were dropped off at our front door!  You are a very ornery elf, but that makes our sweet girlies so excited to find you each morning and fill our house with mounds of giggles.  Maya and Laney are hoping you will give Santa a good report.  They've really been trying hard to fill people's buckets!