Christmas Morning

The kids opened presentsLily spent the whole day trying to ride her horse, which is not big enough to hold her. She was a little disappointed and ended up disliking the doll because she could ride the horse.We posed for pictures.This picture is supposed to be of the three kids with their stuff, but Lily would not sit with the boys. The Rapunzel doll represents Lily Bean.Lily ate a lot of "cockate"We took a sleepy eyed family picture.We had our traditional Christmas Morning crepes.Mitch gave Lily some whipped cream.  She didn't really know what to do with it.

It was a wonderful, peaceful Christmas morning.  My favorite kind. 

Christmas Eve

I love our simple family Christmas Eve.  We stuck to our traditions with my Grandma Melba's cheese rolls, and trifle.  The food was great, and the company even better.The kids loved clinking their glasses together and saying "cheers." They actually did it all through dinner.The boys getting ready to open their first gift of Christmas. PJs like always. Such handsome little guys!Our family; Christmas 2011.This picture is so funny. The boys got robes and slippers with their PJs this year, and Lily wanted their robes. This is her fighting Asher to get his robe on her while he is still wearing it. I am glad he is able to think it's funny instead of getting mad. She is kind of a stinker.This is Christmas Eve, right after Santa left and before the kids came and destroyed. I know the boy's area looks a little sad but those little things are Nintendo DSs so don't feel sorry for them.

The boys sleeping under the tree

The annual pictures of the boys sleeping under the tree. 

The ornaments

Every year each of the kids gets to pick out their own ornament, and we also get one for the family. Here is the 2011 picks.

Jackson

another airplane. I have to admit I was surprised because he claims to have moved on to other things, but this was his first choice and he is very pleased.
Asher

He was back and forth between this and a submarine, but I think he choose wisely. I love how militarized our tree has become as our boys get older.
Lily

The Sugar Plum Fairy. You have no idea how happy I was that she chose this one. She pulled it off the hook and wouldn't let it go. She calls it "princess dance." and then sings something quietly and sways. I love it!
The Family

We bought this while we were in Alaska. We thought it would be a good ornament for 2011.
And here is Buddy! Our Elf on the Shelf. The kids love him. Like REALLY love him! I think we may have tears Christmas Eve when he goes back to the North Pole for the year.

Lily and her Princesses

The other day Lily was playing with her princesses
She keeps them in this drawer, then pulls them out, lines them up and calls them all by name.
She kept pulling out Aurora and saying, "mommy, mommy"It was so sweet. It made me such a happy mommy. I mean, my daughter thinks I look like a princess. Not just any princess, but the one I wanted to look like when I was a little girl.
Then she picked up Ariel and said, "Oh, this one mommy." She was saying "mermaid" not,"mommy." What does that say about me?
I won't analyze it too much.
Maybe she doesn't think I am a princess, but I sure think she is.

Ni Ni Lily

Jackson took it upon himself to put Lily to bed the other night.  He sat in her rocking chair, read her books, then put her in bed.  She didn't want to go to bed and so he climbed in with her and kept reading her books.  Asher didn't want to be left out and so he climbed in as well. 

When I took this picture they were all pretending to be asleep.  I love how Lily still has her eyes open even though she is pretending to be asleep.  I love these kids, and they love each other.  They are the best!