This is your 3rd Christmas! Hard to believe, and yet I can't remember Christmas without you. We spent the Sunday before Christmas with Daddy's family and went to Old Town for Lunch then to our house to hang out and open a few gifts with your sweet cousin Connor.
On Christmas Eve we stayed in our PJ's until noon and decorated Gingerbread cookies for Santa. Daddy even joined in the fun. You two ate a lot more decorations than were placed on the cookies :) There is no denying that y'all are daddy and daughter, two peas in a pod.
After your nap, one of daddy's best friends, Uncle Will, came over to see you and play for a bit. He is always ready to pick you up, swing you around and listen to your demands in the playroom :)
That night we went to Grammy and Grandaddy's house for supper and our yearly "Charlie Brown Christmas" viewing. The meal was incredible (as usual) and the family time was great. You stayed up WAY too late and were too excited to reason with about anything. We did manage to leave out reindeer food for Rudolph and read a Christmas story. Next year we will pay closer attention to the time!
Christmas morning daddy woke up at 6 am to start smoking the prime rib we were making for lunch. I laid in bed watching the monitor expecting your little head to pop up at any moment. Then as 7:30 rolled around, I told your daddy to go ahead and wake you up...I know I am crazy, but we were so excited.
As I filmed you coming down the stairs with daddy and peeking around the corner to the big display from Santa, your little face was stunned. You did not speak, you walked over to your giant, pink princess castle that you have been asking for and talking about for two months, and began to play. You studied it, touched each doll sitting in it, looked back at us, as if to ask "Is this really mine?" It was priceless.
I think we expected some big squeal, but your reaction was much more genuine.
You also got an art easel to paint and draw on, some winter mittens and hats, a giant floor puzzle, a horse toy, etc. You were not the least bit interested in opening gifts this year. You wanted that castle and by the time the bottom of the tree was cleared our, so was the princess castle. Each little piece that Santa had put together was pulled out and scattered around the room. This is what has happened each day since Christmas as well. You have a blast with the castle!!
You got mommy the new Dyson dust buster thing to clean up all your messes ;) and you got daddy a new Browning pocket knife!
Grammy and Grandaddy came over for breakfast and to open gifts with us. We had fun as you are always spoiled by them :) I think you get more excited to see them than your mommy and daddy!!
Afterwards, we all got ready and packed in the car with our special prime rib daddy made for everyone and headed to Grandma Charly's house. It was full of Christmas smells, loving family and laughter. You had such a great time playing with the uncles and snuggling with the aunties. It was our first Christmas without Paw Paw, and your little spirit manage to keep most of the tears away.
We also visited Grandmommy Ada at Arbor Acres on our way home. She was thrilled to see you and you were wired and busy running from one end of the room to the other. No nap, LOTS of sweets, and spoiled rotten. Just the way kids should be on Christmas :)
As we drove home in the dark with Luminaries lit on the road, I realized that this was our last holiday as a family of three. What a wonderful time it was.
I love you sweet thing.
Daddy and you making Santa's cookies. You like to smile extra big.
Finished product.
Santa brought you your PRINCESS CASTLE!!!
And a cool art easel.
Santa's gifts.
All those presents under our pretty tree!!
You and your "cheese" face.
Your new favorite thing.
Opening presents.
A sleepy daddy giving you a snuggle.
A very pregnant mommy helping.
Some new winter gear...if only it would snow.
