The Holidays

I guess I have a lot of catching up to do, so I'll start with November-December. Naturally, our lives were revolving around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Thanksgiving was mellow. We ate, played games, and enjoyed being with family. It was rather healing for me as I was still recovering from a miscarriage the previous week. Unfortunately, the next day Andrew's brother and his wife rushed to the hospital when her placenta ruptured. Long story short, our nephew, Wyatt, lived only 12 hours. So, we were all eager to say goodbye to November.
I spent the following weeks preparing for Christmas and trying to make the most of the holiday spirit. It did help with the emotional trauma of November and we are all feeling much better. The girls still ask about their cousin Wyatt and ask when I'll have another baby in my tummy, but those conversations are less painful and more sweet and tender now. I love that they aren't forgetting either little angel.
Christmas day! This was the year Ella was too excited to sleep in. In past years it's been 9-10 when we wake and open presents. This year Ella came a knockin' at 5:58. She was so excited. So, so excited. She bugged me for about fifteen minutes then finally realized two pesterers are better than one. She woke up Livie and between the two of them they were able to get parents out of bed.
Presents!

Milkshake cups from Grammy. They love them, but were extra excited about the bubble wrap.

Daddy loved how well Livie wrapped his present. It was a thermos that looks like a ginormous shotgun shell. She picked it out just for him.

Ella picked out the watch for daddy. He loves it.

Andrew spoiled me big time this year. Watch as these lame pictures turn into fabulous ones with my new Canon Rebel. He already regrets giving it to me as I have been extra camera happy.

Christmas dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Turley's!

Ella didn't really get any toys this year. I was worried she would be upset but she was thrilled with her new clothes, boots, purse, and Jamberries. 

Mommy practicing with her new camera.

Livie playing with her cleaning set from Ella.

Ella practicing with her rubberband loom from Livie.

Hungry, Hungry Hippos!

Christmas breakfast. I was going to do fancy orange rolls but ended up with a fever on Christmas eve. So, we went and saw a house with the music and light show, then came home and drugged mommy with some nyquil. I was asleep by 9:30 and didn't even make it half-way through It's a Wonderful Life. Luckily, I had grabbed some pillsbury cinnamon and orange rolls just in case. The girls were plenty happy with that.

Because when you're waiting for Christmas dinner what else are you supposed to do?

Hy-ho. This boy was such a goof all night. He had us all rolling. 

Believe it or not, this picture was actually suggested by the FIL. He hates pictures! 

Dancing.

Andrew had Bobby this year and got him a wind up plane. This is him opening it. BTW, Bobby had me and is the one who got me the HP cookbook and "Make love, not horcruxes" shirt.