Sweet sisters...                                                                   Hannah's Class Christmas Party

Faith's Christmas Party and Production.  The little angels next to her are her friends in her class.  They are in Ballet after preschool and performed beautifully

Hannah loves holding her baby sister                                                                                                Faith's class

Hannah got another 100 on her reading test at school.  Notice the lack of teeth.  She lost 7 teeth all in 1 month's time.  She has 4 growing back in now.

Building a gingerbread choo choo train with Nanna

Decorating Christmas cookies with Papa and Mimi

Papa taught Faith how to hold her tongue just right.          Hannah was very creative with her gingerbread men.  It turns out she is a bit of a perfectionist like her mommy : )

Sweet sisters reading their Tag books                                Singing Christmas carols with the cousins (a new tradition that we love)

Lilian wasn't such a fan of Christmas caroling, since she doesn't like having to get in and out of her car seat.  Plus, she missed her nap.  Lilian with her sweet Gran.

We had such a wonderful Christmas, celebrating Jesus with family. 

Christmas Eve, I woke up to my beautiful Christmas present from Alex hanging on our dining room wall.  The picture in the frame was hand stitched by my great great grandfather.  This was hanging on my great grandmother (Grandmama's) wall as long as I can remember.  After she passed away, it was given to me.  I was in a frame that was broken, and had no glass on it, so it was pretty dirty and dingy from cigarette smoke and dust and just wear and tear.  Alex looked into having it cleaned for me, but no one could guarantee it would not be ruined, since it is so old and fragile.  So, Alex bought a beautiful frame for it and came up with this all on his own.  I LOVE it!!!  This is probably my favorite gift ever : )  Hubby of the year!!!

We went to Papa and Mimi's house after lunch, where we watched a Christmas cartoon and the girls did some crafts and played with Charlie (the pooch).  Then, after nap time, we enjoyed a beautiful worship service at out church, where Hannah had her very first communion since she accepted Jesus as her Savior this summer.  What a blessing that was, and what better time than Jesus' Birthday.

Then, we had a delicious Fajita dinner, prepared by Mimi. 

After that, as tradition, we opened one gift each, which was our Christmas Eve Jammies.  While we were getting comfy in our jammies, it started to snow! 

After playing in the snow for awhile, we took some PJ pictures.

Then we cuddled together as we read some Christmas stories.  My favorites are "God gave us Christmas" and "Room for a Little One". 

Then, off to bed for the little ones.  It was surprisingly easy!  They were exhausted and crashed pretty quickly.  The adults, on the other hand, stayed up to watch a movie, and then listed for Santa.  Guess who came around midnight!

Mimi quietly woke up the girls to peek on Santa.  They were fast asleep, so it took some shaking to wake Hannah up, and Faith was confused and out, so I had to carry her.  When they realized what was going on, their eyes got huge as they peeked on Santa putting presents under the tree and eating his milk and cookies.  They were so excited!!!  They remembered to stay quiet though, so Santa wouldn't hear them. 

Look what Santa left

This was a Christmas Eve to remember.

Today was a fun day.  Alex took the day off and we picked Hannah up from school early for Faith's preschool Christmas Party and program.  It is so sweet seeing her with her friends at school.  They are all so tiny and cute.  Faith did a great job singing with all of the kids from her school.  It took a couple songs to warm up, but by the third song, she had it down.  Then, we went to see Santa at Bass Pro Shop.  There was no line, and the girls had fun telling Santa what they wanted for Christmas.  Lilian was interested in him, and didn't even cry.  We got a cute picture.  I'll post pictures and Christmas Program videos soon.

Tomorrow is Hannah's class Christmas Party, which I get to help out with.  Then, early release and Christmas break.  How fun.  We are all so excited for Christmas.  Especially, because it is Lilian's first : )

We are spending lots of time with family over Christmas break, and a few days at home just relaxing and, hopefully, reorganizing our office.  Fun Fun Fun!!!  We have a mini family vacation planned tot he Gaylord hotel for a night to enjoy all of their fun Christmas stuff.

Have a very merry Christmas.  Remember to take time during all of the busyness of the holidays to focus on why we are celebrating - Happy Birthday Jesus!