Christmas 2012

Christmas was seriously so fun this year with a toddler in our house.  I think this is the most excited I've been about Christmas in a long time--the excitement of seeing Aurora's reaction to everything was the biggest highlight of all!

We really had a wonderful Christmas, and hope you all did too!  We decided a while back that we're done traveling for Christmas, which means we didn't make it up to see my family for Christmas, even though they're only 1.5 hour drive away.  We plan to get up to see them soon though!  I seriously LOVED being home Christmas morning and being able to open presents at our house.  We've been married for almost 7.5 years and I think this is the first time it really felt like our family Christmas just because we got to have Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at our house, ya know?  I'm all for doing it again ;)

So, here we go with the gazillion pictures.  Enjoy!

Christmas Eve

Dar made Christmas waffles for breakfast.  Delish!  And you can never go wrong with making waffles for our little munchkin (as long as you use soy milk!)

 We made some Christmas goodies: this candy cane popcorn recipe is a must-do-again!

And Aurora watched some TV upside-down.  I guess it's better that way?

 

When we were kids, my dad used to take us swimming Christmas Eve and it's one tradition we want to continue on with our own kids.  Aurora loves the pool, so it was a huge hit, especially because we haven't been to the pool in a while.

After swimming we got ready to have dinner with Dar's family--they only live 5 minutes away so I guess that doesn't count as traveling ;)

Aurora and "Janna" munching on pomegranate seeds.  Delish!

Babs occupied herself while we were waiting for dinner
 

 
After dinner we hurried home to set out milk and cookies for Santa!


Christmas Day
Santa came!
 

Aurora and I woke up and watched TV for a bit while we waited for Daddy to wake up

Then we opened presents!  (Don't judge our looks, it was Christmas morning :)




Before heading back to Gamma and Bampa's for brunch and more presents we had to take our traditional family picture

Me and my sugar dumpling sharing a Christmas smooch

At Gamma and Bampa's:
Aurora loves nativities!  Especially Baby Jesus :)

 Our cutie in her darling Christmas outfit I've been waiting all year to put her in!
 
Opening more presents!



Some of the gifts Aurora got this year

I love watching her play and interact with her toys.  She loved getting tons of princess stuff this year.  Princesses and Minnie Mouse are always a big hit at our house!
 
We didn't get a picture of Aurora visiting Santa at the mall, but who needs one when your very own Grandpa looks like Santa!  This is seriously one of my favorite pictures of the whole week.  Love you three!!!

 

Merry Christmas to you all!  We hope yours was a wonderful as ours was!

P.S.  I didn't a picture of it, but I wanted to publicly thank my BFF, Tracee, for your very thoughtful gift.  You totally made me cry, and I'm so grateful to have yet another physical reminder of my babies, especially our sweet Nastassia who gets to spend every Christmas with Jesus :)  It was just what I needed, especially because of the tough moments this Christmas season when I'd think about her and knew I couldn't have her with me.  Thanks again, Trace!! You're the best!!!!  Hope you know how much I love you and appreciate your friendship.  I don't know what I'd do without you!!!