Christmas Eve {2011} Part 1

On Christmas Eve I was thankful I got to spend the day with my girls.  Brian did yet another trade day with me so I could go to my family Christmas in Avoca.  (ps... I get to work New Year's Day for him :()  We had a great afternoon with family then daddy joined us when he got off work!

My day just wasn't going as planned... I thought I would kill 2 birds with one stone and dress Marley when she got up... BACKFIRE!  She ate breakfast and I gave her a sippy cup with milk... Is is too much to ask for a sippy cup to not leak?  Seriously!!!  Milk all over her cute Christmas pants...  But then again this photo was so darn cute!  She helped me unload the dishwasher :)

Lily wrapping up her own snack bag...

Cheese!  Mommy curled my hair then forgot to put on my turtleneck...

So we re curled it a bit...

Off we go...

The girls in their Christmas dresses mommy made!

My sisters house was decorated so pretty!  Much prettier than mine!  I think I need some new decorations...

Cousins

My brothers family

Courtney and Cash

They just love holding Marley

Opening a recorded Twas the Night Before Christmas book from Grandma

Snack time

Photo courtesy of Isabell...

Awe... resting by the Christmas tree with Courtney

Santa even stopped by for a quick visit

Her beloved microphone with a string!

Stacking cups and a book for Marley

Putting Santa to work....                 See he's not that bad after all...

Thank you Santa!

end of part 1...

Christmas cookies

Sorry this was meant to be an earlier post...

The day before Lily had her preschool program we had to make 3 dozen cookies for the exchange.  Brian mixed up the dough while I was at work then we baked and decorated after dinner. 

decorating...

and taste testing...

Then the evening after her Christmas program we made chocolate covered ritz crackers with peanut butter in the middle.  YUMMY!!!

And lastly dipped pretzels with sprinkles!  That was the extent of our holiday baking...

Marley {just for fun}

I realized I hadn't taken any pictures of Marley by herself in front of the tree.  So I prettied her up a bit and took a few.  What a sweetie!!!  She even let me put a bow in her hair :)

Being silly!

Sweatin' to the oldies / Stubborness at the table

Brian had the girls downstairs playing while I was finishing an outfit for a friends little girl.  Marley came upstairs with this headband of Lily's.  Then she got into my elastic... She looks like she should be on Sweatin' to the oldies!  Too cute!

As I've mentioned 100 times before, Lily is super stubborn when it comes to eating.  We made spaghetti with some different noodles.  Everyone but Lily loved it! 

Luckily she had no idea I was taking the picture...

This was her way of getting out of eating!

Marley thoroughly enjoying hers!

Lily's Preschool Christmas Program

Last Tuesday (12-20), Lily had her Christmas program and cookie exchange at preschool.  I was thankful Brian did a trade day with me so I could attend the program.  Brian's dad joined so he could see Lily's school and watch her sing.  We had front row seats and I was all ready to video tape and take pictures of Lily singing.  She had been practicing all of her songs for a few weeks and I hoped she would actually stand up there and do it.... Well, she didn't.  The teachers walked the kids in and stood them in there perspective spots.  There was a tape line on the floor for them to stand on and Lily decided she wanted to stand a foot behind everyone else against the cookie table.  Oh well I guess...  I was able to get a couple of good shots and she did sing a few lines after all! 

I can't say how much I LOVE this dress!!!  Lily loves it too!  This dress was made by one of my favorite designers, Beth at Dogwood Lane.  The dress is even big enough she should be able to wear it next year!

this was before she decided to move...

checking out the cookies behind her...

yummy... eating a fancy sugar cookie!

Christmas present from her teachers at school

Art projects from school

Girls meet SANTA

Last Friday we took the girls to see Santa.  Lily was super excited but I had a feeling she may flake out.  We told her she was supposed to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas.  Lily has no problem telling us what she wants Santa to bring but again... she gets so nervous around people.  Just to be silly we told her if she didn't tell Santa what she wanted he would bring her jeans and green beans.  Both of which she really DISLIKES!!!  Well the tactic worked... She was a little apprehensive at first but warmed right up to the big guy!!!  Marley was a breeze :)

and here comes take 1 with big sissy...

seriously... why do I have to sit here?

Take 2 much better...

then Santa said something was missing from the picture... acting a bit dumb I'm like... what?  This is what we came for so I think we are good.... OH NO!  Mama and daddy joined :)

Totally unprepared for a photo!  Not that I ever do anything with myself anyway but geesh...  I really need a makeover!!!

And for the grand finale... Lily by herself with the BIG GUY...

seriously... are we done yet?  she was cringing!

Need I say more!  This photo is HILARIOUS!!!  I can't wait to show it to her when she gets older!  Too cute!

And this is as close as we got to a smile with Santa... a goodbye hug!

Lily proudly told Santa she wants a Lalaloopsy doll and a microphone.  

And Marley is a bit too little to tell Santa what she wanted... She LOVES anything cuddly!!!