During the moving process, Mimi and I were working on getting dinner in the oven. Venessa and crew showed up in time for Nate to help move the piano then we had dinner, opened a few presents, and let the girls watch Prep & Landing.
On Sunday the girls and I decided they could make gifts for everyone, so they weaved the aunts and Mimi pot holders, made bracelets for Izzy, Siena, and Uncle Jakey (since he was the one who started making bracelets with them), and Grandpa got Monster Corner bookmarks to go with his birthday books that he got early to enjoy on his upcoming vacation.
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| Traditional Christmas Eve pajamas from Mimi. :) |
That evening before bed we watched a couple of Mormon Messages titled What Shall We Give and The Reason Behind the Season. We talked with the girls about how the best thing we can do for the Savior is to try to be like him, to be kind to others, be obedient, and how prayer is the way we communicate with Heavenly Father and know the things he would have us do. It was a nice discussion and I am so proud of my girls.
Christmas morning Lila awoke a little early because she needed to use the restroom (she was fighting her 4th UTI--more on that later). I told her she couldn't come downstairs until we were all ready and to go back to bed and if she got up again to get Mimi and Grandpa. About 30 minutes later I see her looking over the little balcony area and then she goes running to Ellie's room screaming, "Ellie, Ellie Santa came, Santa came." :) Ellie wanted to use the restroom before coming down so on the way there they noticed that Santa had left their stockings and a few bonus items of Frozen sister bowls and barrettes by their tree in the toy room--they were so excited because that is what they had wished for that Santa would leave stuff by their tree. Lila would not let go of the Frozen items and after every gift she opened she would go back and hold it or say something like, "Oh I just love the Frozen barrettes." Once again simple things making the difference.
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| I found cute ideas for the girls to make presents for each other too. It was so fun to have some one-on-one time with them and to see the excitement as they made the gifts for each other. At first I wished I had started earlier than 2 days before Christmas, but they were having a hard time keeping it a secret, asking me every hour if they could give each other a hint or show the size of the present. They each loved their gift: Lila made Ellie a tie snake because she loves to read about snakes--much to Mommies dismay and it was a perfect craft for her requiring only stuffing, gluing on eyes and a tongue. Ellie mad Lila a butterfly mask because Lila loves to dress-up, loves butterflies, and has been on this kick making paper masks. |
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| They received several presents from friends this year and we had them put them under the tree and wait until Christmas. |
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| Daddy recording and opening his stocking. :) |
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| Great Grandpa & Grandma Merrell (my Dad's Mom Dorothy) sent the girls a cute card with $2 to spend. They love getting money and were so excited. Grandpa Buckley even tried to help Lila put her bill back in the envelope, but she would not let go of it--it was quite a funny exchange. They were also generous with sending something for Andrew's gift. |
Thursday, Jake and Marcee came up and we continued the festivities at Venessa's home. We opened presents, ate lunch, toured a home, and just visited.
Friday my Mom and I did a little shopping and then we went to Surf-n-Swim after which we drove through the lights again. :)
It was a wonderful celebration filled with love. I am so grateful for the testimony I have of Jesus Christ and the opportunity that I have every year to focus on his birth and life. This season was especially filled with his love and peace as we welcomed Andrew into our family. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27). Merry Christmas!