Guess Who Came to Town?

Lily Grace discovered Santa had come before the sun did.  She has been all giggles.  She's enjoying everything Santa left for her as well as thoughtful gifts from family. (and so is Darby)

She also reminded us that today is Jesus' birthday!  We sang Happy Birthday to him at breakfast and pause to remember how blessed we are.   Thanks be to God!  

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Eve

This morning, like each Christmas Eve, we enjoyed breakfast at the Peabody.  There is something so magical about the Peabody during the holidays and much of that has to do with the decorations.  Lily Grace loved the big gingerbread house this year, as well as the train constructed of gingerbread and other yummy treats.  However, according to Lily Grace, nothing tops The Ducks!

This evening, Magic Reindeer food has been spread on the lawn and cookies have been left for Santa.  Lily Grace is all tucked in and another day of special memories has been made.

Holiday Cuteness

What makes for a wonderful cold afternoon after a long nap?  Having friends to share it with, that's what.  Lily Grace welcomed good friend Kaitlyn over for milk, cookies, dress up fun and gift exchanging.  The girls had a great time!  They are too cute!

Fun Exchanges

Thanks for the new dress up accessories Claire!

Lily Grace and good friend Claire got together today to exchange Christmas gifts.  Before opening gifts, they enjoyed hot cocoa and homemade cookies.  Thanks Miss Gretchen!  Lily Grace also enjoyed strumming a few chords on Claire's guitar.  The girls had a wonderful morning and exchanged more than gifts.  They exchanged giggles, smiles and special moments which can't be bought or wrapped.  Thanks again for having us over Miss Gretchen and Claire, we had a great time!

Little Miss Dress-Up

Lily Grace loves to play dress up. Last night, she did so from head to toe.  Apparently, a big pink tutu and  grape juice mustache weren't enough to accessorize her pajamas. Daddy caught her in our bathroom rolling her hair with my rollers. Too cute!

Gingerbread Fun

Today, Lily Grace hosted a little Christmas party for some  friends from her gymnastics class.  With cold rain falling, it was the perfect day for warm soup, yummy treats, decorating gingerbread houses, gift exchanging and having fun!

Christmas trees and Cocoa

We began our day with the annual search for the perfect Christmas tree.  After a couple of hours searching, we were home with a tree and the decorating ensued.  (after a little nap of course)

Lily Grace and Darby served as daddy's little helpers.  Lily Grace also enjoyed her first cup of cocoa and hanging one of the finished ornaments that she and I made.

Happy Decorating!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Praise the Lord!  O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever."  Psalm 106:1

Santa Claus is Coming!

She said she was going to do it and she did!  A little uncertain, she sat with Santa and informed him that she would like some new baby dolls for Christmas. 

She also enjoyed her first Candy-Cane afterwards.   Thanks Santa!

Baking up Holiday Fun

With Thanksgiving just days away, Lily Grace and I have already started preparing for Christmas. Today, we made applesauce and cinnamon dough to cut out gingerbread men for our Christmas tree. Lily Grace loved it! We had a wonderful time. I think I had just as much fun watching her explore with the ingredients and create her own little recipe. Through all the cinnamon, we did manage to cut out 12 gingerbread men and can't wait for them to dry so we can decorate them.

Making a big mess can be so much fun when you're little. And as a mommy, being a part of the mess is fun too. In fact, cleaning up from this fun mess felt like no big deal and definitely worth it!