This year was such a great Christmas! We had a great time together with some local family, played with Ava for hours on end, ate some yummy 'typically off limits' type food, drove around and looked at some amazing Christmas light displays and just hung out together! Ava didn't really understand the 'Santa' concept but she was all for opening gifts! She was sooo excited when we walked downstairs! A lot of "oooh's" and screams and body shakes! It took us all day to get her presents unwrapped because she was so into playing with what she had!
Christmas Eve we headed over to my Cousin Sean's house for Dinner and a short Christmas program. It was fun to be with their kids who were so excited yet trying to keep it under control! We had a nice dinner and then read/sang/had a few musical numbers from the kids. We pulled out a Christmas book that my Aunt Cathy had compiled of their family's Christmas past and we were laughing at all of the pictures (lots of bad hair years). I think Ken enjoyed seeing the pics, especially the one year where I was baby Jesus, circa 1975! Ava loves getting together with these cousins and we love visiting so we didn't get home until about 10pm!!! I was really hoping Ava would sleep in and she did...it was her Christmas present to us! ;)
On Christmas day we just hung out all day and it was so relaxing! Ava was in heaven with all of her toys! That night we went to look at some lights then called it a night at the normal bed time! Here are a few pictures from the 2 days.....
This is Ava and her cousin Clay. She will talk about 'Baby Cay' the entire 12 minutes it takes us to get to their house!!! She has a serious love for this little boy!
This is Cole playing us a Christmas song....he did a great job...we were impressed!
This was the house after Santa had left. He did pretty good but he didn't leave until 1am! You'd think with only 1 child in the home we would be on the earlier delivery list!!! But no, it was pretty late before we could crawl into bed! I'll have to discuss that with him (and Mrs. Clause, of course) for next year! I mean really, us parents have got to get some sleep!
One of her favorite toys....the kitchen. (Her diaper leaked all over her cute christmas pj's so polka dots it is!)
Ava is very into 'ballet' and dancing so Santa brought her new ballet pj's and a little tutu. She stayed in it for over a day!
A new grocery cart...she put the baby in the seat!
This horse is her favorite too! Maybe next year Santa could bring a real one?! ;)
It was a great day and I know it will only get better as she gets older. She was so excited and just so happy! My Mom arrived the next day and just left this morning! Not only did she bring Christmas presents but she also stayed with Ava every night so Ken and I could go out!!! OMG....It was so great being able to see my Husband and not worry about the little bambina! We ate out, saw movies and talked! It was the best gift ever! And Ava was not too happy when 'gabba' said goodbye this morning! She kept trying to get my Mom to take her places (i.e. downstairs, to her room, etc.). She clearly didn't want her 'gabba' to leave! It was a fun visit!
So, being that today is Saturday I need to go finish cleaning up from the Christmas mess! It was great but there is stuff to do!!!
Yum. THose polka-dot Pjs are so cute. And that cute kitchen set. It looks like she is having soooooo much fun with it. My kids used to love their kitchen set back in the day. Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas lady. Hope you have a Happy New YEar!
Posted by: Christine | December 30, 2007 at 04:42 PM
I want that Christmas! We are praying for a speedy recovery for Ava and good nights sleep for mama:) It was so fun to be with you guys....we love you!
Posted by: Jenny | January 02, 2008 at 05:49 PM
I love the kitchen so getting one for my girls next year this year they got the Horse and the noise scared them at first but know they dance to it.
Posted by: shawnelle | January 09, 2008 at 03:37 PM