Christmas Day

How Christmas has come & gone so quickly, I do not know! We really enjoyed this month though as it was FULL of family time. We spent alot of time playing with & teaching Charlotte about her nativity set once it arrived. I know her little eyes will light up next year when we pull it out of the Christmas box.

I am excited to move forward the next few years with some traditions we want to have. One tradition for me is I seem to work nearly every Christmas ; ) It is just the way it worked out with the holiday schedule & moving to Orlando. I was off last year for the first time so basically, 4 out of 5 years have been spent helping mommies & babies. It is actually a sweet place to be as it helps me ponder the wonder of Mary welcoming her son Jesus. This year, I worked from 7am-11am then got to leave early. It worked out perfectly as far as Charlotte napping & having some time to make a chocolate pie before opening any gifts. Our neighbor Diah & then friend, who we pretty much consider family, Chris was with Rob most of the day also stayed for dinner then came back the next night for round two.

We also had some guests in our home who I did not even get a picture of, but I promise they were there! Our good friends Michael & Melanie Mccracken with their 4 month old son Tatum actually beat us here for the holidays. They arrived the 23rd & left today. Melanie's mom & dad were also in town & joined us for dinner & dessert.

Onto some pictures.....

In the middle of the whirlwind, we were home for one evening in which Robby put together the gifts that each set of Grandparents had purchased & sent our way. Robby commented after it was all done, "No wonder we had to leave cookies & milk for Santa! That made me hungry!" He worked very efficiently & we had some good laughs reading directions. The shopping cart is actually called the Princess Cozy Coupe Shopping Cart & on the side of the box had that name translated into about 8 languages... one of which we adopted & now call it "the winkel wagon." So, little Charlotte got a Winkel Wagon & a tricycle for Christmas among many other things. She needs about 1 inch more before she can pedal but it doesn't keep this girl away! My mom & dad found this tricycle & thought it was great. We agree & couldn't have enough Texas Tech represented in our home : ) She was funny....she would go open another gift then run back over & jump on the tricycle. We definitely need a helmet before heading to the sidewalk after watching her crash off onto the carpet! Robby offered his motorcycle helmet but that is not quite what I had in mind ; )

She also spent a good part of the afternoon trying to climb into the winkel wagon. She would do this then look at us like " what the heck?" "why can't I fit in here?" No wonder they call it the "cozy coupe! Robby's mom & dad picked out the shopping cart & it is beyond adorable. It is already full of play food provided by some uncles & will bring hours of entertainment for me & Charlotte both!

One of our favorite things we got Charlotte was a feather boa & a beaded necklace with matching bracelet. They were a hit & will be used frequently around here in place of my headbands & the dog leashes.

Charlotte loves to pretend talk on the phone. She has a cell phone style Elmo phone that she carries around in her purse. So, just like the rest of us, now she has a home phone too! She loves to put it up to her ear then look off into the distance & nod her head randomly. It looks funny & I am pretty sure she learned it from me ; ) She also does her talking which sounds like this...maybe..."bilblabilbilblibababil" I should try to get it on video.

We had a good time with the gifts & a better time with our friends sharing a meal together. When we are separated by many miles from our family, we are so grateful for special people to spend the holidays with.

Reflecting on the birth of our Savior should encompass this season and I feel like it did more so than in previous years. I am excited to continue making that our focus as we teach our little ones about Christ. We hope your Christmas was a joyous time of celebration as well!