And God Bless Us...Every One!

We wrapped up the Christmas season with 2 weeks of fun and had a wonderful time celebrating out first Christmas of Allie 'getting' the joy and anticipation of Baby Jesus' Birthday and Santa's Christmas Eve visit. We felt incredibly blessed to spend this time surrounded by our family and friends. It's tough not to have a little bit of sadness when the season comes to an end, but we're excited for all that 2014 will bring and really, there's no time for sadness when there are more birthday celebrations to plan :o). 

We happened into a chance to take a Santa train ride through Frederick, Maryland with the Gonzales family before Christmas and we absolutely loved it!

I have the golden ticket!

Checking in with a vice-grip on her good buddy and Christmas partner in crime, Brady.

Oh, Nathan...the sweetness. Just...can't...

take...it!

Honestly, she was more excited to see Brady and Nathan, but we won't miss an opportunity to check in with the big guy.

We had our traditional Pizzelle-making-party at the Shaiko's. Usually Barb and I pick White Christmas for the Christmas movie of choice while the cookie assembly line is in full swing. Turns out we're not the only Bing Crosby fans in the family. Allie was mesmerized with the dancing and showed us some moves of her own...shocker.

This was the version we heard...on repeat: 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, had a very shiny nose...ever say it glows!'

They do kinda glow.

Thank goodness Grammy's on task.

We started our Christmases on Christmas Eve with the Shaiko Christmas complete with a visit from Auntie Erin.

We'll take that gift, please.

Yes...she's snuggling with Ariel before she's even out of the box. Well-played Auntie Erin...well-played.

Cookies, anyone?

Bring on the beignets!

Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus!

One happy elf!

Allie - sharpening her camera skills.

Back at home, Christmas Eve bedtime was pretty exciting this year...

Cookies for Santa, carrots and water for the reindeer...and a Christmas chair jig for good measure.

Christmas Minnie Jammers...check. Christmas Mickey cup...check. Quietest bedtime we had in a long time...check.

Allie gave us a respectable 8am wake-up visit Christmas morning and it was on.

Merry Christmas to us!

Allie opened up a pair of undies in her stocking and this was her reaction as she declared, 'Santa doesn't do that!'
But once she saw that they were Doc McStuffin undies, I think she figured, 'Who was she to judge?'

A post-'Jenny' opening hug for Grandpa.

Jenny and Belle chowing down on cupcakes.
Looks like they have the same take on Christmas calories that we do...they don't count.

And another hug for Jenny.

Abs: 'The doll count is getting out of control in this place.'

And Allie's favorite gift to give (and probably to receive), a book of Allie.

Take a good look. You'll see the same outfit we've seen for about 3 out of the 4 days since Christmas minus the 2 hours it took to sneak it into the washer and dryer. 

Allie and Jenny...again.

The founder of our slipper and robe feast. Allie (and Jenny) have worn their matching night-gowns and slippers to bed every single night. And every single night, we have a mad dash to stealthily find at least one missing 's-l-i-p-p-e-r' to avoid 'd-i-s-a-s-t-e-r.'

:o)

It's Christmas, of course we ride our scooter in our new night-gown at 4pm in the afternoon.

Thanks Pop and Mumsy! (Don't worry, once she started gaining speed, we swapped her hat for a helmet.)

It's tough being surrounded by snuggles and pink.

The Friday after Christmas, we made it up to Maryland to visit Jonathan and Brenda and get 'the cousins' together. We even convinced Allie to change out of the night-gown for a day...well, part of a day at least.

The A-Team. Back together again.

Yeah...I'd say that's a pretty happy Christmas clan.