Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, & A Few Things In Between

I am already off to a good start; a blog post on the first day of the year.  Maybe this is a sign of things to come.

It's hard to believe that Christmas is over and that we have entered a new year.  It doesn't seem to matter how much I want time to slow down, it just keeps clipping along at warped speed.

Our annual Christmas picture.

The girls & I are halfway through winter break, while Steven returns to work tomorrow.  We have been busy spending time together and surprisingly not getting under each other's skin as we do.  We had a wonderful Christmas that did not include snow (unlike two years ago).  Our Christmas felt more reminiscent of a Christmas in Springtime rather than a Winter Wonderland.  The girls have enjoyed playing outside most days.

On Christmas Eve we opened presents with my family.  Here is Audrey just before opening her big present from Grammy and Papa.

I wonder what could be in the box . . .

A brand new American Girl doll named Kanani. 

Here is Madeleine opening up her big present and subsequently her favorite one. 

It is a trundle bed for her American Girl dolls. 

Later that night Kit got dressed in her new jammies & settled into bed right next to Madeleine.

Madeleine wasn't the only one who received Christmas presents.  Kit acquired this new outfit. 

Kanani received glasses so she could be as cute as Audrey. 

 A family gathering wouldn't be complete without the obligatory, awkwardly posed photos. 

As I'm sure most of you are aware of by now, my sister Gracie is adopting a little girl named Samantha.  Even though she is not home yet, she is already an adored member of the family with her very own stocking to prove it.  

Her homecoming is by far the most anticipated event of 2012.

***

As Steven and I tucked the girls into bed on Christmas Eve we told them they could wake us up as early as they wanted, as long as it was not before 6:00.  They followed directions and did not wake us up until 6:04.  I was never more thankful for my Keurig as I quickly brewed one cup of coffee to perk me up. 

A table & chairs complete with a tea set for her American Girl Dolls.

A Magic Tree House book that takes the reader on a trip to Antarctica.  She loves to read!

Later in the day we went to Steven's parent's house where the girls got spoiled a little more.

Now, too Audrey's American Girl dolls will have a place to sleep.

Kanani is all settled in for the night.

Madeleine scored an Ipod Shuffle from her Aunt Amanda and ever since it has become a permanent fixture on her body..

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

The girls also got Just Dance Kids for the Wii, but as you can see, it isn't just the kids who enjoy it.

***

Last week my dad came over and installed mine and Steven's Christmas present; a new tub surround.  Our old one was just that, old.  It was also falling off, covered in mold, and a fountain mural.  I should have taken a "before" picture, but I opted not to because I don't need a picture to remember.  It's tackiness is permanently burned into my memory.  But for those of you who are curious, you can kind of see it in this picture taken of the girls several years ago.  

Steven helped with the hard part of taking the old one down and putting the new one up while I helped with the beautifying part.  Since our house is old some of the fixtures within it are not custom sizes.  The tub surround my dad purchased was not quite big enough so he had the idea to fill the empty space with decorative tiles. 

Try to ignore my giant backside and see the overall picture of my dad and I working together instead. 

The final product.  I enjoy taking showers again. 

***

Last week we also enjoyed shopping with Christmas money and visiting with old friends.  Madeleine also had her best friend over for a sleepover.  These two did not need TV to keep them occupied.  They played with dolls, competed at sports on the wii, frosted a cake, and put on a fashion show.  They modeled many different dresses, all to different songs. 

After getting themselves ready for bed, they got their dolls ready for bed as well (to the left).

They had such a great time together! 

***

And finally, we ended our week by ringing in the new year together.  We ate junk food, watched the Princess Bride, and played on the Wii.  Together we toasted to the new year. 

We welcome 2012 and look forward to all it has to offer.  Happy New Year!