Christmas 2010

Christmas was full.

Full of sweet, sweet moments with the girls doing fun things together.

Full of warm, cuddly moments of enjoying just be together.

Full of family and sharing love and joy with them.

I do love Christmas for being so full of these things...family, friends, love, and joy.

We all seem more full of love, full of hope, full of joy.

Or maybe we are just more willing, more open to sharing it during this time.

Regardless, I love it and wish it would last just a little longer.

It seems we do something different each year for Christmas and this one was no exception.

We stayed home - at our own house! - for the first time.

It was different but it was very special.

We did take a day trip to see...

this Angel baby, sweet Vivienne and her super fun siblings.

We went to wish this beautiful girl a very Happy 8th birthday!  We love you Ella!

Then, a couple of days later, she came to see us as we hosted a little family Christmas party and

birthday party for this sweet little fella.  Happy Birthday Connor!  We love you too!

Connor's little bro, Evan, came too and stole the spotlight, the attention, and all the hugs and kisses from everyone.  He gets that from his mother.

Evan thought it would be a great idea to have some friendly Christmas competitions...

"First up," he said, "Cutest Elf Face Contest"

He won.

Then Evan announced the next contest, "Squishiest Hug"

Again, he won.

"Time for Best Behaved in the Christmas Eve Pajama Picture Contest!," 

Evan yelled after hanging the stockings.

Evan went undefeated that night.  He is something.

So Christmas morning was very special, sweet, and fun.

My favorite pictures:

This says it all...make-up was her primary request for Santa.

She was SO excited about everything she got but man oh man, she loved this make-up.

I will always remember the squeal she let out first thing that morning when she spotted the presents in the living room from her bed.

We were so happy to have Connor and his fam with us this Christmas.  He was adorable and so excited about all his train toys.  I will always remember how fast he jumped in the pink Princess car that morning.  He thought it was a super cool ride.

Lillianna was so sweet this Christmas.  She loves the magic, the traditions, and the story of Christmas.  She was into it all - taking care of our elf Minty, teaching Ellenie about the birth of Jesus, leaving cookies out for Santa, singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.  She really enjoyed it all.

Sweet Evan was such a blessing this Christmas.

  He is such a reminder of all that we have to be thankful for.

Christmas was full.

Full of all the best blessings of this abundant life.

We have so much to be thankful for.