Christmas with Grandma and Papa - 2014

This has been the first Christmas that Eloise has been impatient about opening gifts. I just love the excitement that she gets and also seeing Mirabel try to react the same way as we tear open the wrapping paper to see what is inside! I've always loved finding and giving that perfect gift more than opening gifts myself. I love to see what the recipient thinks of it. It's a whole new ball game finding perfect gifts for your children and seeing how much they love it.

This weekend Eloise opened up a Hello Kitty stuffed toy from Grandma and it's become her new love. She's insisted on having it by her side every minute! It's nice to be able to spread the love over several days of celebrations. There is more to come! Mirabel too, got a new pair of pajamas for one of her baby dolls and she's just turned into a little mommy all the more. Toting her around, wrapping her in a blankie and taking her on a walk. My heart just bursts to see their excitement.

We've done a lot of activities throughout the month, again following our Advent calendar this year. I'm so thankful for this tradition becoming more real as the girls get older and are able to understand just a little bit more of the Christmas story. Eloise just can't wait till the 25th when it's time to add baby Jesus to the nativity scene. It's also been fun to introduce new Christmas songs for her to sing.

I just love this season. I have my eye open year round for the perfect gifts for everyone on my list. I love the decorations around the house to get the spirit flowing. I love Christmas music playing in the back ground every evening. I enjoy wrapping all the gifts and putting them under the tree. Baking is not my thing, so I'm thankful for local bakeries who do that for me. I love sharing time with family and I so much enjoy the traditions that have begun forming with our family of four. I love how easy it is to share the love of Christ this time of year. O come, let us adore Him!

The extent of my "baking". 

Well, ok, so I did bake some pre-made cookie dough. ;)

The girls' new favorite movie. 

And Eloise learning a new song.

Grandma rocking a baby, rocking a baby. 

The girls with Grandma and Papa Holgate.

Branson Vacation

This summer marked 10 years since Justin and I took a full week-long vacation. Granted, with two kiddos now along for that ride, "vacation" looks a little different for us now. We had a blast with the girls and with Justin's awesome family! (Thanks, Bryan and Chris for welcoming us to join you!) The weather in Branson was beautiful. Thanks to a couple sets of wonderful grandparents, the girls got to play "musical carseats" and trade of vehicles to ride in. The trip there and back actually went pretty smooth. Except for a bee-sting on Eloise's foot, we all had an amazing time. At the pool almost every day, a ride on a real train and Eloise's first roller coaster ride at Silver Dollar City. We made some fun memories on our very first family vacation. 

 

Getting measured to see if she was big enough to ride the kiddy roller coaster!
(She made the cut and the video of her first ride is at the end of this post.)

Checking out the observation deck on the big train!

One this is certain, vacationing wore these babies out.

Family Photos - Summer 2014

We have a talented friend who has captured many of our girls' special days. Here are some fun shots of Mirabel, age 1 and Eloise, age 3. Precious moments fill these days...