Christmas Day

Santa Came...

After Kaylee and Campbell woke up and we got everyone assembled in their seats it was time for the opening of presents to begin. I was able to hold them off a little bit by letting them look in their stockings and enjoy a few treats.

 A little Christmas morning photo...

 Both girls with their first present...I hope Santa got them the things they were hoping for the most.

 Kaylee with her Texas rangers Oakley sunglasses, yes there evidently is such a thing for all of those wondering like me.

 Campbell with her American Girl doll. I love that she is still little enough to enjoy this stage of life for one more year. Let her stay little for just a while longer, please.

We have never done matching pajamas for the family before but I thought it would be fun and so did the girls. Not sure cary was thrilled but her was a good sport and went along with it.

Nana, Papa, Kaylee & Campbell

 Uncle Don, Aunt Trudy, Duncan, Ruby, Kaylee & Campbell

Our family

We had such a wonderful time together just eating and enjoying each other's company. Of course, the women went to our yearly tradition of taking in a movie, Annie it was this year. We are blessed to have family that will drive and take the time to make these traditions with us. It just would not be the same without all of these precious faces. Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve finally arrived and with it came my parents, Uncle, Aunt, cousin, and their sweet dog Ruby. It also brought lost of delicious food to the house that just says family to me. Of course, the girls could not wait to open presents and get the festivities started. 

Kaylee with her came purse from Nana and Papa.

Campbell with her dog and leash from Uncle Don and Aunt Trudy.

A little guitar fun for her American Girl dolls.

Kaylee with her favorite yearly gift of Texas Rangers tickets.

Our whole family is greatly blessed to have each other and be able to celebrate the season together, not to mention all the spoiling the girls get in the process. Our day was filled with food, fun, and lots of joy. The night ended with our yearly tour of Christmas lights with just the women of the family. There was a lot of laughing involved that too. Thank you Lord for blessed days like these and the memories that are made. I guess we were so busy making memories that I did not take any pictures of any one else except our girls. Merry Christmas Eve to all!

Our Family Pre-Christmas Christmas

 I cannot believe Christmas Eve is right around the corner. Every year we rush to get in a Family Christmas with the four of us before the rest of the family arrives and this year was no different. We took our usual tour of the lights at the state school then had to get a picture on Santa's lap. I cannot believe I can still talk the girls into this but I love it!

 We also managed to get some baking in to take to our neighbors as well as cookies to put out for Santa on Christmas Eve. Both girls had fun decorating them and they tasted just as delicious as they looked.

After taking in the lights around town and enjoying some Starbucks we came home to open our presents we bought for one another. Kaylee and Campbell had both asked for North face coats and as you can see could not wait to get them on. There were a few other gifts for each of them but these were definitely the biggest hit of the evening.

We were also blessed to get presents from Great Grandma Crenshaw in the form of homemade quilts for the girls. They loved them and could not wait to cover up with them all the time. I wish I had just a fraction of Great Grandma Crenshaw's talent. Once the presents were unwrapped and put away it was time to get some sleep before welcoming family in the morning. Let more fun begin! We cannot wait!

A few Christmas events

 The season would not be complete without a few of our normal events taking place.

 Campbell's school Christmas Party...this is the last year I will be attending one of these since they do not have them in 5th grade. The thought of that made me a little sad.

 Painting our ornaments at Mine by Design for the tree

 I love this tradition and look forward to it every year. We will have a tree full of memories one day when my girls are grown. 

Brunch with Santa at the country club with some of our favorites Then there is the tradition of making gingerbread houses together which always lets me see the creativity and decorating style of each of our girls.

Just a few more days and Santa will be on the way...

Candlelight Service at Church

Well this ended up being the season for solos for Campbell Grace because she also ended up singing Silent Night in our church candlelight service. She found out only a week before that she was going to be singing a solo but managed to knock it out of the park. Of course, being the Mom I thought it sounded like the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. This was confirmed when several people from church some of which are gifted musically came up to tell us what a fantastic job she did on such a hard song. Some even said she had a natural gift. Guess who was beaming from ear to ear after that? I am so proud of my sweet girl for putting herself out there and using one of her talents. 

Christmas Music Program 2014

 Well Christmas time is coming...today was Campbell's 3rd grade Christmas Program called "A Christmas Portrait" and she had a solo part. She has been practicing daily for weeks on The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting...) and was so excited to be able to perform alone. I would have been a nervous wreck but not this girl, she loved every minute of it. I am so glad that she has found one of her gifts and is not shy about it.

 Henry, Ava & Campbell

 Papa and Nana made the drive from Waco just to hear our star.

We were just beaming with pride an amazement at how she stayed on pitch and smiled from ear to ear.

Christmas Card Photos 2014

 My precious and talented friend Ashley took pictures of my girls one afternoon so that our Christmas cards would not be blank this year. I loved something different about each one that she captured but my favorites were of my girls just talking and laughing at each other with no staging involved. These are the moments that assure me they will be best friends one day despite the arguing that ensues at our house on a fairly regular basis. My heart just smiles looking at these two and thinking about how blessed I am to be their Mom. Thank you Lord for beautiful reminders and fun in the midst of it all.