Christmas 2012

Christmas was wonderful again this year....it did feel different not being in our own home but it was still great! We so look forward to 2013 and being in our new home in a few months. 

Santa came... he brought presents and our little 5 year old girl was spoiled beyond measure.  But, it was fun... We had a great day.  Being here did make for a relaxing day since we didn't have to travel anywhere...just upstairs.  It did not feel rushed at all.  That was nice...

Memories....

Santa came... Elaina had to wait until after breakfast to open gifts.  She was very patient.

Breakfast was these homemade cinnamon rolls... yes, I made them.  I was pretty proud of myself - thanks to my friend Dana for supplying me with the easy as pie recipe.  I didn't say they were difficult, just that I made them :)

And, presents were torn into....this years was the year for board games.  We play a lot of board games in our family...Sorry, Trouble, Connect Four, and Hullabaloo were added to the stash this year.

A cake pop maker...very cool

The long awaited Baby Alive I wanna walk baby....Elaina loves this thing

Hairbows....

A new robe...similar to one that I have which she loves....she loves hers

Elaina and daddy

Elaina and Liana playing with Elaina's new American Girl Doll, Marie Grace.  They dressed her in her soccer outfit.  Elaina loves this doll too

Lil E and momma

Liana and Elaina again... at dinner

Elaina got this precious dolphin necklace from her mamaw..she loves it.

And, again... a long awaited gift...the dreamlite!  She was very happy to get this from her Great Grandma

 After dinner we played Christmas Minute to Win it.  That is a fun game show to watch.  Erik and I played games like these at our church a couple of weeks ago and decided to play them with family so we got all the stuff to do it....it was super fun!

This is Face the Gingerbread Man, move the cookie from your forehead to your mouth without using your hands...



 Christmas Cliffhanger, blow the cards to the edge of the table until they sit on the edge, one side hanging over - harder than it looks.

 

Christmas Nutstacker - using a candy cane and one hand, stack the nuts on top of each other on their edges - 8 of them, in a minute.

 This is our nephew Zach doing it.

Cassie tried...

Then Brett...

 Christmas in the Balance..hang ornaments on either side of a yard stick that is balanced on a wrapping paper tube

Cassie and Lisa doing it...

I love this picture because it shows the excitement of them doing it...

 Merry Fishmas - fishing for candy canes.... use one candy cane tied to a chop stick in your mouth to pick up 4 more candy canes...

Brett doing it...again, harder then it looks

Melinda

Cassie

And Kevin

 
It was a wonderful day hanging out with family and enjoying the day with them. 

Erik and I added it up and this is our 17th Christmas together as a couple - including the years we dated.  That is crazy.  It's number 6 with Elaina.  Time flies but the memories are wonderful.  I say it all the time but we truly are so blessed to have each other and our family and friends.  We don't take that for granted.  To each of one of you reading this blog, you are cherished and loved and we count you in our blessings each day!