Friday, December 30, 2011

December mornings


A few times in December we made "special breakfast". We had snowman pancakes a few times, and even tried egg nog Christmas sprinkle waffles. Yummy yummy! Aubri was very happy to get her favorite whipped cream for breakfast.






These pictures were taken Christmas Eve morning after yummy waffles. Aubri was actually asking for her picture to be taken and telling me where she wanted to pose. I loved the laid back mornings we shared on Jose's days off!






Christmas Morning

Of all days for Aubri to sleep in, she chose Christmas morning! We were up and ready by 7:00 twiddling our thumbs with anticipation for another hour! Jose and I were both really excited for Christmas morning with Aubri.


We finally heard her call for us close to 8:00 and we ran up the stairs with video camera in hand. The first thing she did was laugh at us and tell us we had funny pants on (we were them every Christmas morning, but she of course didn't remember). We told her it was Christmas and she asked to go open presents.


Before presents Jose read to her the Story of "Baby Jesus", and even though she kept glancing at her stuffed stocking, she stayed pretty interested in the story.


She was so cute opening her stocking. I think her favorite thing was the jelly beans. She kept sneaking more in her mouth when we weren't looking!



She wasn't very expressive, but loved all her toys. She kept wanting to play with or wear whatever she opened instead of opening more. I was impressed how generous she was as she seemed just as excited to give us presents and watch us open them. For weeks she had been asking for "Two Dora Presents" so she was really happy to open her Dora toys. As soon as she saw the back pack she put it on and told us she was going to school with Grammy, and walked to the door. She said she was pretending and announced "I'm back!" and resumed opening presents!













We saved the best for last- a kitchen from Grammy! We had it covered with a blanket in the corner. Immediately she picked up the kitchen's toy phone and called Grammy, "Thank you Grammy for my kitchen!"




It took a lot of coaxing to get her away from her kitchen and into the car to go to Nana and Papa's house! We didn't even take time to clean up the Christmas tornado! We had another round of present opening at my parent's house. After breakfast and hanging out a bit, we went home to change out of our pajamas!



 A backpack to take when she spends the night at Nana and Papa's!



 Aubri loves Seasame Street so when I found this shirt for my dad I had to buy it for him against the major protests from my brothers and mom! I told them it was a joke (the shirt reads "All my homies are from the street" and that I didn't expect my dad to wear it, but they were scared he would! As soon as he opened it he put it on, and I'm pretty sure he intends to wear it often!


 After breakfast at my parents, we headed home to change out of our PJ's to go to Jose's grandparents house. All the family stopped by, and off course more presents for the kids!






 This was our first ever White Elephant exchange for the adults. It was so much fun, and I hope we make it a tradition!
 The fought after drink hat!

 Needless to say, after all the morning festivities Aubri was wiped out! She fell asleep on the way home and took a nap.
 Once she woke up we went back to my parent's house to celebrate my dad's birthday! He is a Christmas baby so we always celebrate him at night!
 Happy Birthday Dad!

WHEW!! What a day! We ping ponged all over the place. It was a great day, but at the end of it we were pretty exhausted and felt like we never got to stop too long at any place- and never got to sit and enjoy our own house. Next year with the new baby, we are thinking of ways to change it up, while still being able to visit everyone.

I LOVE Christmas, and it was so fun to see Aubri really enjoy it this year! 

Christmas Eve


Since Christmas Day fell on a Sunday, our church staff decided to not have Sunday morning services, and instead have a Saturday night Christmas Eve celebration. I had the privilege of organizing/planning the service. Only problem is a large part of we wanted was a children's musical performance, and I'm far from musical. It turned out amazing anyway, and it was a really special and memorable night.


The pre-k and Kindergarten kids had two songs to perform, and I had told the older tiny tot parents that their children were welcome to perform too. Aubri and I sang Happy Birthday Jesus and Away in the manger the whole week before and she was soooo excited to sing. There were so many littles up there singing it was hilarious! Some kids knew every word and sang very loud, others just stood there without a clue what was going on, and others stole the show singing directly in the microphone. It was awesome! Aubri sang off and on, mostly distracted by all that was going on. She and her best bud Canaan hung out close together.














After the little kids, the older kids took their turn. I felt bad that so few of them showed up, but I was SO proud at how well they sang. The congregation joined in to help them, and it worked out great.







A few of our Jr. High and High School kids memorized parts of Luke 2 and recited it. I was so proud!!




After a short, but great message from our pastor, we ended the service with a candle lighting and singing of Silent Night. Beautiful!!






Everyone seemed to love the service, and I wouldn't mind if it became our tradition!