White Christmas

Christmas night before we went to bed the snow started falling. It was the first white Christmas in Raleigh in 60 years.

I slept with my blinds open because I was so excited for snow. This is what I saw when I woke up. Absolutely beautiful. Total David Gray moment.

Lillian loves to eat snow.

Winston frolicked like a puppy. We loaded him up and took him sledding with us. Dog heaven.

Cardinal

Lillian and Harrison opening gifts at Marci and Darrell's house.

Hot chocolate and my cat; good to go.
(can we admire the cuteness of the snow bunny sweatshirt).

Lillian and Darrell headed out to check out the sledding scene.

Harrison shoveling the driveway.

Harrison with his Marci. What would we do without her! She is the best.

Lucy bounced around like a kangaroo in the snow. I think we need to get her a warmer jacket.

Making snow angels

Cool snowman bubba!

Harrison pushing daddy down the hill.

Weeeeee

They went down the hill about a dozen times and would get right back up and want to do it again. Lillian was fearless.

Harrison ready to go, again. What an awesome snow day.

Christmas Morning

Both kids slept until almost 8am (who ever would have thought that would happen in our house!?!). This is Harrison about to head downstairs.

Lillian probably did not even need new toys. She loves playing with her Christmas card over and over.

"Baby!"

"Just what I wanted!"

I am pretty sure that when Lillian is 15 she will kill us over this picture. Nice hair, Lills.

Lillian looks thrilled about her new craft table, doesn't she :)

Nona and Papa got Lillian her first tri-cycle. She has been having fun riding it around the downstairs and around the block. Thanks N and P!

Christmas Breakfast. I made a family breakfast casserole (great bc you make the night before), coffee and yummy cinnamon rolls. We did not get home from MI in time for me to track down orange rolls (Joe's fave.) Next year I will buy them in advance.

Happy Mommy.
Laine and Tony gave me a People subscription. I was so excited. We left all the madness for 3 days and just enjoyed being lazy and relaxing. It was perfect and just what we needed. My Covenant group talked this month about the importance of rest in your holiday. I thought of this often and really worked hard to just let it go and hang out. Joe and I had one of the best vacations (here and in MI). I need to do this more often.

Nona and Papa gave Harrison a MoBigo. He mastered how to work it in approximately 10 minutes and he even shares it with Lillian. Perfect gift for him and me.

The after pic.

Kaboom!

Lillian has eaten at least 2 clementines a day the whole break. She even peels them herself.
Silly girl.

Christmas Dinner; beef tenderloin, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. Delish.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Harrison and Lillian "helping" me make cookies for Santa. Good thing they were just for our family. I think they licked the spoon about three times per cookie.

Harrison washing dishes for me.

Yummy

All ready for church.

Me with my BFF Anna.

This picture is so precious. Look at all our sweet babies ready for Christmas Eve service. Our group sure has changed over the last 4 years.

Our sweet Goddaughter Claire.

Tracking Santa on NORAD.

The kids were too excited to pose for serious pics.

Opening the one present before they went to bed. HLP got a dart board and Lillian got a great button book. The dart board has been a huge hit.

All ready for Santa and the reindeer.

Harrison manning the camera.

Harrison reading "The Night Before Christmas" to Lillian.

She wanted to hold the book, and was very distraught.

Skype-ing with Papa

Marci made Lillian this adorable baby doll bedding. My sister got her the crib. You guys rock! Thanks for keeping Lillian so fashionable. Baby Abby loves her new digs.