{Snapshots of Christmas 2013}

Christmas day has come and gone. I'm pretty sure that our tree is drying out, but don't be surprised if you stop by and I am still playing Christmas music in the kitchen while I sip my gingerbread latte...

I love all things Christmas and having little girls has given me an excuse to be a big kid!  Early Christmas Eve morning, I started rocking our Christmas tunes and making reindeer pancakes.  Abigail was so joyful trotting around our house dancing to " Jingle Bells".  And then we saw the snowflakes!  It only snowed for about ten minutes, but I bundled her up and out on the deck we went to dance around in the snow!  It was such a fun morning!

We enjoyed this Christmas season so much because it was filled with memories of family and snapshots of joy!  Abigail has gotten the hang of presents and after we celebrate her birthday next month, I'm pretty sure she'll be ruined for life.  She thinks everyone is bringing her a present these days!  Her big gift this year was an adorable little pink kitchen that we found second hand.  She watches me so intently when I'm baking and tries to do exactly what she sees me doing so I knew this would be a hit.  We brought it down from the attic late on Christmas Eve and put it by our tree.  Mike and I giggled as we pictured all the excitement that was just a few hours away!  

My own little Christmas miracle was sleeping in on Christmas day.  This little baby slept until 5:00 which makes for a very happy mama! Violet is such a joy and is just starting to really focus and grin!  I was able to enjoy a few precious moments watching her smile and coo before Mike brought Abigail into our living room.  It's moments like these that I want to remember forever. 

And then, the fun began!  Abigail came around the corner to our living room with wide eyes as she saw lots of presents and her new kitchen! 

 

 She has played so much with this little kitchen and she hasn't even opened her pots and pans or noticed her apron yet.  Mike's mom had a friend make the cutest aprons for Abigail and of course Uncle Alan got her the most adorable winter coat!  I'd say she's a happy little girl! 

Mike's mom and dad were able to come down from Chicago and spend Christmas with us again this year and it has been wonderful!  Alice always comes with a box full of cookies and recipes for us to try.  Dan of course is getting his exercise running around our house with Abigail in his arms or on his back...and occasionally on his head! We even took a trip down to Columbia for Christmas dinner with my family and ventured out to the Opryland Hotel to see Christmas lights . What a wonderful Christmas it has been!