Best Christmas gift...

We got this a few weeks ago, but it was wrapped up all nice and neat from Charlotte (made at her school). We put it in the office, so Charlotte wouldn't think it was a gift for her and then we forgot to put it under the tree. Not sure what triggered me remembering it last night, but we opened it up (after she was asleep) and we SMILED!

This was without a doubt, the BEST Christmas gift Victor & I got this year! Handmade by our little Charlotte, hand prints and all!

The day after...

we slept in...we (Charlotte) pretty much spent the entire day in our Cinderella dress and we had FUN!!! Ended up with everybody here and had a great time. Victor knocked it out of the park with his home made lasagna, sausage and meat balls...we ate too much, but it was OH so worth it!

Thanks everybody for coming over this afternoon/evening. We had a wonderful time again this year.











































She LOVES her new princess castle. THANK YOU Aunt Jan and Uncle Dennis!

Christmas morning...

The munchkin slept in, the one day we wanted her to get up early...

When we reminded her that it was Christmas morning, she went downstairs to see if Santa remembered to make a stop at our house...he of course did...

The one thing she asked Santa for Cinderella dress, was the last thing she opened up.

After a morning at our house, we headed up to mom & dad's for a late lunch and more family fun. A great day was had by all.

Hope you & your family/friends had a wonderful day together. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve 2009...

We had a great time tonight with my parents. Early church service and Charlotte did great for the first 45 minutes (bless her little heart)...

Then we went up to mom & dad's place for pizza, photos and gifts.

Lots of laughs and good times. So blessed to be together, wishing the rest of our family could be with us in person too.

We hope you all are having a wonderful Christmas and remember the true reason for the season.

Christmas Eve morning frost...

I had a couple more errands to run this morning...It was chilly 27 at our house, but 3 miles east of us it was seriously WHITE and frozen...crazy weather...

Around our home tonight...

Charlotte and mommy taking a late afternoon "rest" together on the couch. Naps, they ROCK!!!

























Christmas countdown. Only two sleeps left until Christmas...

























Special hand made candle that looks great on the mantle...

























The pud's first time sitting on Santa's lap and she asked for a Cinderella dress...luckily mommy & Santa's peeps know each other (and they still had it in her size at the mall).



















Happy, HAPPY ornaments on the tree.

























Christmas card goodness that keeps pouring in...the door is officially full and we are moving on to the french doors.




















Yummy goodness from Kansas City (Thank you Aunt Jan & Uncle Dennis).

























Surprise little digital wonders that make me smile (THANK YOU Bonnie)!

























Anniversary gifts that are very warm and cozy (Thank you AZ Mom & Dad)!

























Special handmade ornaments by a certain munchkin make me smile...

























It's looking very JOLLY in the downstairs powder room...




















I'm still seeing stars...



















Victor's cooking is making the house smell OH so good!

We were going to go out to Dilley and visit Storybook Lane tonight, but it's a wee bit foggy and freezin' so we decided to stay IN where it is warm and cozy.

Family potrait 2009...

We went and had our little family of three photo taken yesterday at Portrait Innovations. We love that place! They have a super kid-friendly waiting area and a super nice staff that always manage to make Charlotte laugh.

It helped that Charlotte was in a great photo-taking mood and it made for super quick photo session...yeah! Their printer was down, so I had to go back today and get the couple of photos we actually ordered, plus the CD with all the photos if we want more prints made...

Here are a few of my favorites (we did not order all these and they are the pre-editted versions, but they make me smile)...