And may all your Christmases be....

WHITE!

This is what we woke up to Christmas morning. It was spectacular. Everything about Christmas this year was wonderful. Our official celebrating began with the Ellison Family Christmas Eve Party that did not disappoint. Shelley and I got together one day (my cousin, Amy, was right when she said that we should never be left alone!) and came up with some ideas for the party including a special white elephant passing game, a jolly visitor, a nativity puppet show (on a related note: Shell, you really should write, direct, and star in your own children's television show, you're a triple threat...think about it.), and a stocking bar. I have such good memories of this party growing up and I still enjoy getting to see all my aunts, uncles, and cousins every year. We then came home, got in our Christmas jams, put the girls to bed, and got annihilated in Boggle by Jeff. My mom came too and was my partner in crime in MadGab.

The girls woke up at a very pleasant 8:00 AM (this may be one of the last years we enjoy our sleep). Sabrina walked in to the living room and said, "Wow! Look at all the presents!" Her enthusiasm was contagious and so exciting as she opened every present and ooed and awed at them all. Santa even wrapped our gum and toothbrushes, and she was equally excited when she opened them as she was to open her other gifts. Lucy spent the morning by drinking a bottle and sleeping in the swing. Sabrina was thrilled that she got to "help" Luce open her presents. Sabrina's favorite present: the twin dolls and baby carrier. Lucy's favorite present: the Gymboree tutu (okay...it's really my favorite present. Adorable). I think this is the first year that Paul and I really understood that Christmas is all about the kids, and our favorite present was watching the girls rip into their gifts.

We then headed to Grandma Irene's for breakfast, and I must give my 85 year-old grandma credit for still being the best short order waffle and eggs cook around. She's pretty amazing. Then we headed to the Sampsons and enjoyed the rest of the day and more gifts there, including one downright adorable leopard print poncho for Sabrina made by Grandma Sampson and a book with ALL of Carolyn's fantastic recipes. We came home exhausted, but thankful. We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.

P.S. I forgot to rotate some pics. Just lay on your side when viewing!