Christmas 2012

We had a great holiday season and the girls were so fun and excited for all the festivities. As usual I'll keep it brief and let the pictures tell most of the story.

Mark had a business trip a few weeks before Christmas and these girls were happy to have him home!

 Although I hate to admit it, Elena & Abigail are starting to transition from napping every day. However, some days they need a nap and don't fall asleep because of how exciting it is to talk to each other and play in their cribs during the so-called nap. This picture was on one of those days. Later in the afternoon they started watching football with daddy and it put them in a slumber.

Our neighbors have a Christmas party for all the kids in the neighborhood, including a visit from Santa himself. Their yard is all decked out as is the inside of their house. The girls all loved it and although A&E were a little nervous about getting too close to Santa, enjoyed seeing him.

 With some help from the elves (or parents), each child received a gift from Santa. It was a fun night!

The girls had fun doing gifts for each other. Adriana made Elena & Abigail each a bracelet and they colored her a picture. They also loved wrapping things to put under the tree. We got to open several things (usually board books) from around the house that they wrapped, some all by themselves! They were always very excited to tell us who had wrapped it and to whom it was for.

Adriana & Elena. Caroling at a retirement home

Adriana's hand made stepping stone

Painting presents for daddy

Elena 

Abigail

 A tradition I grew up with was to sleep under the Christmas tree a week or so before Christmas. It was always such a magical night. The day we put the tree up Adriana brought down all the pillows and had made beds for everyone! Sadly we had to postpone it to another night because some of us were sick.

 It took awhile for everyone to fall asleep, but it was a fun night.

 Christmas dresses!

Adriana

Elena

Abigail

... and a little Christmas belly shot

 Making sugar cookies! Couldn't share any of these because of all the tasting that went on.

Caught in the act!

Helping daddy make rolls for Christmas dinner.

 The girls loved acting out the nativity. In fact we did it almost every night the week before Christmas. This worked out great because everyone got to do all the parts. We even got a Mary & Joseph that looked very similar. And yes, I even got to be Mary one of the times. I spared the donkey from giving me a ride!

Cookies for Santa

Elena in her reindeer PJs

Ready to see what Santa brought

"All I want for Christmas is my Ninja Turtles!"

Gifts to each other with an affectionate hug!

Bracelets from Adriana

New jammies from Grandma

Being doctored by the best 3 doctors in town.

Adriana trying to make a big belly like mama

36 weeks