Christmas 2012

 

 

Santa's helpers were busy the night before Christmas getting things all ready for the morning.

 

Setting up Santa's half-eaten cookies and milk has proved challenging for us each year because Lollipop can't control herself and licks the plate clean and drinks all the milk.  So this set-up has to wait until the dog is completely asleep too!

 

I love this picture of Thatcher.  They had just woken up and emptied their stockings.  Although we had been talking up Christmas and what was going to happen for the past month, a 2 1/2 year old still has no idea what you really mean nor do they remember what happened the year before, at least our kid didn't ;)

 

 

There was a pile of presents behind him but he couldn't get over his value pack of gum he got in his stocking. 

 

 

After Todd and I had a cup of coffee, we settled in and watched the kids open gifts, ONE AT A TIME. It was nice, calm and everybody got to see what everybody got.  I love this way of doing Christmas ;)

 

Samantha was especially thrilled with her new bear because this was something she had written on her note to Santa.  She kept saying, "Santa got my letter!  Santa got my letter!"

 

 

Thatcher is so easy to buy for and so appreciative of everything.  Between Cars, Spider-Man and Batman, I knew he would be happy even with clothes ;)

 

 

 

I love both of their reactions to this gift.  They are both wondering what the heck it is. 

 

Lollipop got a few new gifts including her favorite, new treats ;)

 

 

 

My one at a time rule was awesome because they would stop and play with the gift they had just opened.  We were able to lounge around all morning opening gifts, drinking coffee and just relaxing.

 

 

 

Okay, I'll admit, Sam did get a bit impatient a few times waiting for Thatcher to have a turn ;)

 

 

This photo is blurry but he is wearing his new kicks.  They are Batman light-up tennis shoes. He was over the moon, running around the house saying how much he loved them.

 

 

 

 

 

I got some new kicks and some new Lulu, perfect to go with my New Year's resolution.  Can you guess what that is? again.....

 

 

Sam asked us for her own full-length mirror for her room. I love the practical gifts and that she loves to pose in front of the mirror ;)

 

 

Channel Islands always has something that works for Toddy.

 

 

And this was how our front room ended up.

 

 

Christmas 2012 was a total success!

Complete with remote control cars and Yoda slippers

 

 

and some VERY fancy princess attire!

 

 

And a Lollipop for Lollipop!

 

 

Later that evening we joined friends on the Mesa for an impromptu Christmas dinner which was the perfect end to our day.

Christmas Eve 2012

We spent Christmas Eve in Thousand Oaks with Todd's family

 

 

It always amazes me how kids can fall asleep like this.  At least he had a quick nap before the festivities.

 

Pretty blondes ;)

 

 

 

The kids' table was decked out with fun things for the kiddos.

 

 

 

 

Lotto card scratching is always a highlight of our holiday dinners.  So far I think our highest win has been $10.  I won $5 and a free ticket that I still need to turn in.  I'll keep you posted on that....

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting patiently to open gifts.

 

 

We started a new rule this year and carried it over to the next morning.  One gift gets opened at a time.  This was enforced by Todd and me because on Christmas 2011, they both opened a ton of presents in about 30 seconds.  There was wrapping paper, gifts and just chaos everywhere.  Mommy likes the one gift at a time rule, much calmer ;)

 

 

 

This is the, can I please open a gift now?! look.

 

 

Blings & Gems!! This has been a favorite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

More princess attire to add to her collection.  The day Samantha gets tired of Princesses is the day one lucky little girl gets a lot of great princess gear. Get ready Jessica Stone!

 

 

This was one of Thatcher's favorite gifts but I must say, at almost 3, he thought EVERYTHING was great.  He would have been content with just opening one gift and playing with it.  This was a Spy Set complete with spy watch, walkie talkies, binoculars, flashlight and sunglasses.  Thatcher loves to dress up so this was the perfect gift for him.  Thanks Uncle Drew!

 

 

 

Yes, Todd painted the gift wrap on Uncle Chris' present because we ran out of wrapping paper. 

 

 

Agent Thatchie

 

 

 

Walkie Talkie-ing

 

 

 

This is how Thatcher looks most days now. 

 

These kids love their Uncle Drew

 

 

We all got silly towards the end of the night with photo booth apps on our phones. Such a fun evening, thank you Dancing Grandma and Papa Ward!