Merry Christmas!

So I hope everyone out there has had a very Merry Christmas!  We certainly had a good one, even with some ups and downs with the weather.

The view from the bottom of my brother's driveway, before they got hit with MORE snow.

 

 

 

Our Christmas started with a wonderful Christmas eve, though we did have one small hiccup.  I finished some cooking for the next day, and we actually went out to eat for lunch.  Surprising I know, but it was nice because we knew we would be eating a great dinner in a few hours.  Also because Big Idea did not get my package to us in time, we did a few last minute shopping trips for the Nut.  (I'm afraid I left a nasty message for Bob and Larry- hope they can forgive a mad mommy)  Elizabeth opened her first gift that day from Amie and Brandon.  She got a super cute hat, art book, and earrings.  She absolutely loved the earrings, and was so cute in the hat.  She is still looking at the art book.   After that we cleaned up and got ready for church.

Most adorable hat!

Do you think she has enough on her ear?

 Mom, Melissa, Dad, Elsa, and April joined us for church, where we had a very simple communion.  This is my favorite family tradition, as it keeps the real reason for the season in the forefront.  After church we headed to Mom's where we had yummy lasagna.  Mom makes the best lasagna ever!  Dinner was fabulous, and we read the Christmas story afterwards.  Mom asked who the baby was in the story and Elizabeth answered "baby Jesus".  I was super proud.  She opened her gift that night and got some great dvds from Mom and Dad.

Elsa, myself, and Mom on Christmas Eve after communion.

Elizabeth showed Elsa her very own Christmas tree in the den.

Opening a gift from Elsa.  Thank you!

Opening her Christmas Eve gift.

I got DVDs!!

Melissa got Mom this beautiful angel, which Elizabeth declared was hers.

Pop reads the Christmas story, with some help from the Nut.

Cutie Pie under the tree!

We went to see the Christmas lights in the neighborhood and then headed home.  Mark read us all a few Christmas books and Max took advantage of the snuggle time.  After we got Elizabeth to bed, Santa got to work.  He evidently came because the milk and cookies were consumed.  Plus check out all the gifts!

Snuggling in to read some stories.

Santa came!

Santa's elves had some more work to do so it was a late night for some, with last minute wrapping etc.  However, all of us got to bed and even slept in the next morning.  But that morning...toy overload for the Nut.  I don't think that she knew what to think.  But she loved all her toys.  We even got a call into Ma and Papa to say Merry Christmas and open some of their gifts on the phone.  Here are a few shots of the craziness.

Checking out what Santa brought her.

That's Tinkerbell.

That's my umbrella Daddy.

Can't wait for rain!

Riding her pony.

Wow, that's Snow White.

Now I'm Snow White.

Matching Aprons, Thanks Daddy!

Let me help you with that, Daddy.

 Next Grammy, Pop, and Melissa came over to have Christmas morning breakfast.  After we ate, we opened the rest of our gifts.  We had a lot of fun!

Getting some help from Pop.

Wow, it's Belle!

Mom must have liked that gift. ;)

Looking at the Nut's photo book.

Costume change, thank you Aunt Melissa!

A very happy Daddy!

A little Nut book for Aunt Melissa.

Aunt Melissa is the best.  Baby Girl #2 (aka Poppy Seed) got some nice clothes!

Super girl onesies made Mommy laugh.  Too Cute!

Our favorite, Llama Llama!!

Grammy, Pop, and Melissa left after we opened gifts and headed up to NC.  The weather was a little bad, so Mark and I came later prepared to stay over.  We had a nice dinner at Jon's and then headed to Melissa's to stay over. It was a scary drive, snow and ice were everywhere.  I wish we had 4 wheel drive.  But here are a few pics from the day.

Showing Paw how to dry his hair.

Is that Santa? or Uncle Jerry?

Time to fix up that car.

Nice purse!

Santa likes Camaros.

New Christmas pjs and Cinderella shoes.  What a cutie.

Mommy and baby relaxing on the couch...long day.

The next morning there was tons of snow, but most of the roads were scraped.  After playing in the snow awhile Mark and I decided to head home. 

Ready for the snow.

Snow angel.

Daddy and baby.

Making snowballs.

NC was suppose to get another 5-7 inches on top of the 8 inches they had.  We thought it might be better to go than stay...I'm not sure we were right, especially when we got to the TN side.  All I can say, is TDOT dropped the ball.

Our drive from NC to TN (on the TN side of the mountain).

But we got home safe and sound.  We've been relaxing at home ever since.  Elizabeth has been in toy overload even with some of her toys put up.  But we couldn't have asked for a better Christmas.  I hope yours was just as wonderful.