A very merry Christmas indeed!

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas and we hope all of you did as well.  The kids gave us a Christmas gift by sleeping in.  Matt and I woke up at 7am and realized that the kids were still sleeping.  Knowing that it wouldn't be long before they were up, we decided to get up and get in position to capture the moment.  Matt had video duty and I camera duty.  I must say that I didn't get as many pictures as hoped for but Matt has some great video footage that we hope to share soon. 

 Santa has come

 Ella Catherine's easel from mommy and daddy

 First look to see if she made the NICE list

 Ella Catherine's Stocking content

 Carter not quite awake and not real sure what to make of everything

 Starting to wake up

 Matt's new footy pajamas from Santa Claus

 Gator Golf from Becky

 Christmas loot

 FORE!

 Playing barbie

 Family T-ball time!  First batter is Carter and he hit a single

 With one man on base Ella Catherine hits a pop fly to advance the runner to second and take her place on first

 Daddy is the clean up batter and hits a home run to bring everyone in. :)

 Some swing time

 Fun Christmas pancakes

 "The Artist" at work.  While she was painting this I asked her if she would like a drink.  She replied "yes please".  As I put the drink on the table, she put down her paint brush and said, "The artist needs a drink". 

 Her first painting on her new easel.

Carter's turn painting!  Love the toungue sticking out as he works.  His picture was beautiful just like his sister's.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was full our our usual traditions.  First we started by cleaning out our closets and the toy room.  We give away our gently used toys and clothes for those little boys and girls that don't have as many toys as we have.  We started this tradition when Ella Catherine was 2 years old and are hearts are always so overwhlemed by how generous they are about giving away their toys. 

We attended the children's mass at church.  We set Santa's cookies and milk out.  Matt read Twas the night before Christmas and then it was off to bed for Sugar Plums to dance in our heads.

 Our family after Christmas Eve Mass

 LOVE

 LOVE

 Daddy and Daughter

 Ella Catherine pouring Santa's milk

 Picking out just the right cookies for Santa

 Here is Santa's snack

 Mommy reading the last book in our advent book ( A new tradition this year)

 Daddy reading Twas the Night before Christmas

Cookies for Santa Party

We hosted our first Cookies for Santa party this year.  Unfortunately, Carter was sick.  We took him to the pediatrician and he thought it would be best if he wasn't at the party.  So, Matt took him on a little boy's adventure while Ella Catherine and our friends made cookies for Santa.  The kids had a great time cutting out and decorating their cookies.  They each had their own cookie sheet to put them on so they didn't get mixed up.  While the cookies were in the oven, I had some gingerbread men cookies they could decorate (Courtesy of Mimi).  It was a great afternoon with great friends. We hope to make this an annual tradition.

 Cutting out cookies

 Kailey's cookies

 Shaun's cookies

 Libby's/Katie's cookies

 Libby helped Ella Catherine decorate her cookies

 Gingerbread men

 mmmm gingerbread cookie

Christmas Round 2/ Nana and Pop's visit

    Nana and Pop came up for the weekend to celebrate Christmas with us.  As always we had a fun weekend.  Saturday, Nana helped me take the kids to see Santa (see below post) and then Saturday night Nana and Pop babysat while we went to a neighborhood tacky Christmas sweater party.  I didn't get any pictures of Matt and I, but we were by far NOT the tackiest couple.  We are already working on next years outfits. 
Sunday we all went to church, to breakfast after and then we exchanged gifts.  The rest of the afternoon the kids played with their new gifts and we all enjoyed visiting while watching some football.

 Opening her new bitty baby outfit and a matching outfit for her

 WOW a diego jeep and characters

 Taking his time opening his gift

 Here is one that says my name

 Looking at her new scrapbook that Aunt Kelly and Cousin Cori gave her

 Playing with his new Cars race track that Aunt Kelly and Cousin Cori gave him

 Bitty Baby's oufit

 Working on her scrapbook

Resting on the sofa with Pop