Christmas Day 2013

Christmas Eve was a huge success. We hung around the house and did Christmas-sy stuff.

Success!

We taught Daddy how to wrap presents and Emily labeled them for us with our super-fancy Sharpie marker.

Then it was time to open presents with the fam!

Sorry for all of the action shots. I promise to use a real camera next year.

I feel like that should be on next year's Christmas card.

Then it was time for bed and Santa!

Both the girls woke up with fevers and a virus on Christmas morning but were both still really excited of course!

Check out our fancy jammies :)

We took the picture above and Grandma Joyce's house later Christmas Day.  Poor Caitlyn was struggling with that whole fever and bendryl combination.

Caitlyn called it "Crimpus" this year.  They are growing up so fast! I can't even think about how big they will be for this post next year.  We sure are blessed!

Christmas with Mimi and Papaw

Mimi and Papaw beat Santa here this year.  We were so glad to see them and be able to enjoy some time outside and just get to visit.

 And of course they brought presents. Lots and lots of presents!

 Caitlyn took off running through the house when she saw this baby swing.  It was the sweetest reaction.  She loved it!

 She liked her dollhouse too.

 Emily was also very excited, ohmygosh new plates!

 They kept Mimi busy putting together all kinds of accessories.

 Pawpaw gave Emily her first real diamond necklace.  She's super fancy now!

 Caitlyn was still loving her dollhouse :)

 Selfie :)

 Mimi's turn to open one!  They really overdid it with presents for us.

Then we all hopped on a bus and went to see Christmas lights.  The girls were excited about riding a bus for the first time.  Emily said that was the best part of her day (um, hello did she forget all the presents? crazy kid)

 How sweet is that?  I owe Aunt Tina for sneaking these pictures with her fancy windows phone.

 It was our first time at Hopelands Gardens to see the Christmas lights.  And we could wear short sleeves and jackets.  I'd consider that successful.

Our visit went way too fast like all of our other visits with Mimi and Papaw.  We can't wait to see them again soon!

The beginning of Christmas!

I can not tell you how happy I am that the girls have such quality people to spend time with at the gym.  It's really like a treat for them to get to go.  I mean, happy? or what? Lol

 

We did some crafts for Christmas presents this year.  I feel like they turned out pretty good. 

We learned some tricks that we will def use next time too.

Emily and Caitlyn got a special package from their Grandma Pat and Emily was blown away by this tiny little snow globe.

She thought it was the sweetest thing ever and had to go put it on the tree immediately.

We were very fortunate to be able to spend some time outside around Christmas too because the weather was perfect!

It really sealed the deal on my spring fever though.  In December. Not good.

Mini Dance Recital

Dance class had a parents watch night before the holiday break. 

 It's been so much fun to watch these girls grow up together.

 And how precious and sweet they are.

 Caitlyn got to participate in the Christmas snack time too.

She's going to think she's as big as them for sure!

Last Day of School

Yesterday was Emily's last day of school before Christmas break. The parents all bring in desserts and have a dessert bar for the teachers.

Caitlyn and I stayed and helped. 

It turned out awesome.  They said there was a lot more participation than the years before.  All of the teachers had been through when we left and it was still a table full of food.

Caitlyn had fun :)

And Mrs. Clause came and read to Emily's class.  She really looked the part.

After school we went to Augusta to see Santa.  Caitlyn was not excited and could not get far enough away from him.  She was even trying to keep her eyeballs away from him.

She didn't have quite as good a reaction as Mae Mae though :)

Baby shower for Caden

I have been planning Lulu's baby shower in my head for almost 2 years and I love how it turned out!

The cake looked exactly like I hoped.

We had a calendar to guess Baby Caden's Birthday.

I made a gigantic diaper cake.

And we also had Wishes for Baby Caden cards that matched the invitations.

Here is the picture I sent to the cake lady on the left and then the actual cake on the right.  Nailed it!

Megan made some super cute wraps for the silverware.

It turned out really well.  I hope it was everything that Lulu has always wanted!