Ice Cream in December

In our house, there is never a bad time for ice cream. This is even more true now that I have my very own ice cream maker (thanks to my hubby). For our first batch, we made homemade frozen yogurt. It is almost good for you and the girls loved it (I do too)!

Christmas Day Fun

Although this was a very unusual Christmas for us not being home with family and plenty of places to visit, we had a wonderful Christmas just being together here in VA. After opening Santa gifts, stockings, eating breakfast, opening more gifts, etc., we were left with the entire day to enjoy our new toys and each others company.

Reagan and Bella Grace needed a little down time to watch their new Tinkerbell movie after the excitement of opening gifts.

Mommy and Reagan playing Pretty, Pretty Princess- we had a great time and Reagan won!

The girls are making music with Bella's new Crayola toy.

Bella Grace was worn out from all of the fun. Check out her kicked back position on the couch.

Christmas Dinner

After 2 years, We learned that there is a Fresh Market (a favorite!) in the area. This called for a celebration. Christmas Eve morning, we drove out to Fresh Market and made our Christmas dinner purchases. The theme this year was delicious and hassle free...accomplished! It was a nice quite dinner, just the 4 of us.

The New Rides

Reagan and Bella Grace both got bikes from Santa this year. The day was warmer than normal for a December day which allowed us a chance to get out and ride. I see many spring and summer days spent outside riding until the girls little legs are very tired. They love their new bikes!

Watch them go...

Beautiful Art

Daniel and I also had a wonderful Christmas! As always, Daniel completely spoiled me with gifts. The pieces of artwork are two of the wonderful gifts from Daniel painted by one of my former Young Life girls. The 'S' now hangs over our couch and the family tree will soon find a home in our entrance. Thanks, Love!

Christmas with Bella Grace

It was a lot of fun to see Christmas through Bella Grace's little eyes. She is still new at the gift thing, but had a lot of fun exploring Christmas. Her favorite word of the season was Santa.

Yummy...a gummy sucker!

Backing in to sit down with her gifts

Opening her Diego rescue pack...the favorite toy!

Bella taking her baby Belle (thanks Reagan) over to ride her new bike from Santa.

Reagan's Christmas Morning

Reagan was a blast this year! She was tremendously excited about every gift and squealed in appreciation. She repeatedly said, 'I really like this _____!' Seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child is truly a wonderful gift!

Digging into the stocking while wearing the beads from her Pretty, Pretty Princess (thanks Santa)!

'I REALLY like my new bike!' All Reagan wished for this year was a Princess game, so this new Princess bike was a BIG surprise!

Opening her Princess Castle tent

Two new puzzles: Dora and Princess

Bella Grace gave Reagan a working 'big girl' Princess watch. I am sure that you have noticed a theme to Reagan's Christmas...everything Princess!

Twas the Night Before Christmas

A few more pictures before heading to bed to wait on Santa...

Mommy, Reagan, and Bella Grace in our matching Minnie Mouse Christmas PJs

Our Advent Nativity Calendar

Cookies and Milk for Santa

Christmas Eve

Aside from the year that Reagan was born, nether Daniel or I have spent Christmas Eve anywhere other than CBCB in TN with our extended family. This year was different. Because of Daniel's leave schedule, we were in VA for the holidays. Although we missed our family greatly, we did enjoy the quite family time that we had as a family of 4. Christmas Eve we went to our VA church for service and then enjoyed a nice dinner out with friends.

Our 2 little Christmas Candy Canes before church.

Our Family 2009

Dinner at Geisha Japanese Steakhouse with the Purcells... After a failed call ahead seating (45 minutes to wait after our call ahead/reservation time) at Carraba's, we attempted Jason's Deli which was also closed. From Jason's Deli, we could see an 'open' sign and a not-so-full parking lot at Geisha. We went right in and enjoyed a wonderful Habachi dinner on Christmas Eve. It was a little like our very own A Christmas Story meal.

The Purcells

Leaving Reindeer food for Santa's Reindeer.

Ornaments

Each year the girls and Daniel get a new Christmas ornament for the tree. Christmas Eve they opened their ornaments and added them to the tree.

Reagan's ornament: Little Mermaid (Princess was the theme of her Christmas)

Bella Grace's ornament: Tinker Bell (continuing with the Disney theme)

Daddy's ornament: Ralphie dressed as a Pink Bunny (A Christmas Story)

Socks?

For about a week, I found Reagan in her bed during nap with socks on her hands. She explained that she was dressing up like Santa (In a picture we have of Santa, he has mittens on). There were a few days that I pulled the sheets back and found several pairs of socks hiding in her bed. She is a funny little girl and a precious little sleeper!

Still Opening...

The grandparents left behind several Christmas gifts for the girls to open closer to the holiday. Last night, we let the girls open a few more gifts. It has been fun to see them enjoy each gift a little at a time. Reagan opened her paint set from Gabby and Dado and Bella Grace opened her drums from Gabby and Dado and her crayons from Grammie and Papa. Thanks to All!

Yea...Paint!

64 Crayons...that is A LOT of coloring for such a little girl!

Making noise, something Bella is very good at.

Within minutes of opening the paint set, the girls were gathered around the table creating their very own masterpieces. Reagan and Bella Grace love to do art...what a perfect gift!

Christmas with Friends

We are so thankful for wonderful friends to share life with here in VA. Monday night, we ate Christmas dinner with the Hagers and the Purcells. The food was delicious and the fellowship was fun. After stuffing ourselves with food, the adults played Guitar Hero while the kiddos played around the house. We are tremendously blessed!

The Hagers (Bryan, Kristen, Kenan, and Sladen (not pictures...sleeping), The Smiths (Daniel, Elizabeth, Reagan, and Bella Grace), The Purcells (Amy, Chris, and Connor)

Kisses from Connor

Guitar Hero

Bella on the Piano

Reagan on the Drums

Christmas Cookies

While baking with the girls the other day, we realized that we did not own Christmas cookie cutters. Reagan was thrilled when we picked up a huge set of cookie cutters on Monday. Even better than the cookie cutters was that I allowed her to skip nap that afternoon and bake some cookies for her family and friends. She did a great job! I enjoyed the Reagan and Mommy time (I think that she did too)!