Christmas 2011

     We had the best Christmas ever! I don't think we could have asked for a better day.  It was a day filled with laughter, family, presents, and lots of good food!  After my grandma and brother-in-law both had very serious health issues this past year, I know what meant the most to everyone was getting to be together.  The babies had a great first Christmas.  They really didn't "get" it this year, but I know next year they will tearing into presents just like Ashlyn. With the newest Leone baby arriving in July of next year, things are going to get even crazier with four kids! I absolutely can't wait!  Ashlyn is at the perfect age for Christmas.  She believes fiercely in everything that comes along with Christmas, especially Santa.  It  was priceless to see her reaction when she came downstairs to see what Santa had left her.  She got what she wanted most: a bike and Beanies Babies.

     

  I took A LOT of pictures.  We are going to have them published in a picture book to enjoy for years to come.  Here are some of my favorites from the day.  

Here is all of the loot Santa left for the 3 kids.

Ashlyn checking out her new bike

Dawson liked her bike too.



I love how Dawson is watching her in this picture.



Here is Ashyln opening her enormous box of Beanie Babies.  Santa brought her a ton of them!

Checking out what she got.

Dawson's first Christmas

Ashlyn helping Dawson open his Santa gift.

Dawson got a pirate ship from Santa.

Happy boy!

I love how he is looking at the box.

The girls in their matching pajamas.

Ella has some cute facial expressions.

Dawson and his first football.

Loving the breakfast casserole.

She loved opening presents.

Ashlyn's Grandma and Papa DeLorme got her a horse truck just like the one she loves at their house.

Ashlyn in the ball pit.

I was very ambitious this year and decided to make homemade rolls.  A lot of work, but delicious!

Babies first Christmas

Enjoying out wonderful Christmas dinner

Ashlyn loves her Uncle Steve soooo much!!!

Christmas Eve 2011

   I have decided to break up Christmas into two separate posts so it won't be too lengthy.  Like we do every year, we spent Christmas Eve and day ant my parent's house.  It is really a lot of fun to all be under the same roof for two days.  I really enjoy getting to spend so much time with family.  We all spent the night at my parents house and I know that we all really look forward to it and enjoy it.  Christmas Eve was very laid back and relaxing.  My mom and I spent most of the day cooking.  We usually go some where Christmas Eve for dinner.  However, this year we spend it at my parent's house.  We decided to make our traditional German dinner that we usually go out for.  The food was a lot of work, but everyone agreed it was really, really good.  It was so nice to eat at home and not have to go to crowded restaurants. We had such a nice day relaxing and spending time with one another.  

Ashlyn was showing her uncle how she paints her nails.

Ashlyn and Dawson playing together.

Dawson enjoying his first Christmas Eve

My mom has this obnoxious Disney Christmas clock that plays Christmas songs.  It is so annoying to listen to, but the kids just love it.  Dawson really enjoyed watching it.

Christmas Eve dinner

Here is Ashlyn sprinkling the reindeer food.  I really think it helped the reindeer find her.

Ashyln posing with her letter to Santa and his milk and cookies.  She listed some things she wanted, but the two biggest things she wanted was a new bike and Beanie Babies. 

Ashlyn giving Eddie Buddy a cookie and a kiss before he headed back to the North Pole.

Everything set out for Santa

Bye Bye Buddy

     I am very sad to announce that Eddie Buddy has officially gone back to the North Pole for the year.  We had so much fun with him and can't wait to see him again next year.  He was mischievous at times, but he was a very funny and loving little guy.  Ashlyn wasn't allowed to touch him because his special magic could rub off.  However, on Christmas Eve we knew that he wouldn't be coming back the next day.  Ashlyn got to give him a hug and a kiss.  We saw her over in the corner whispering to him.  I wonder what she was telling him?  Here are some pictures of his final antics.  

Eddie must have been very busy one night coloring Ashlyn a nice elf picture.

One morning, Eddie was by the camera.  We discovered that he had taken a bunch of pictures while we were sleeping.  He had one crazy night!  Here he is with an unsuspecting sleeping Ashlyn.

Standing in Ashlyn's doorway

One morning he had even baked cookies!  These are the cookies Ashlyn picked to leave for Santa.

Silly little elf

Eating the gingerbread house

Hanging out in Ashlyn's stocking

Eddie and Alli were best buds

Eddie could even fly!!!

On Christmas Eve, Ashlyn found Eddie sitting on a lamp at Gram's house.  He brought her some special reindeer food to leave out for the reindeer.  She loved it!!!

Busy, Busy Week

     Whew!!!  What a week it has been!  This week is usually one of the busiest we have all year.  Last Friday, Ashlyn had a program at school and a little party.  It was unbelievably cute.  Her teachers always do an amazing job putting together programs for the parents.  The program was at 3:00 and I don't technically get off until 3:00.  I promised Ashlyn I would race out of work and try to get there in time.  I did manage to get there right at 3:00 and when I walked in, her cute little face popped up from one of the seats.  She said, "Mom I saved you a seat right in the front."  It was so sweet and melted my heart!

       This weekend was a whirlwind of activity.  On Saturday night we had my surprise party (see previous post).  On Sunday morning, we finally did something that I have wanted to do since Ashlyn was a baby, we got professional pictures taken.  Booking outdoor pictures in December can be iffy.  However, Sunday was absolutely gorgeous.  We couldn't have asked for a better day.  We loved the photographer and she took some amazing shots.  The kids really cooperated.  We loved our experience compared to portrait studios.  She posted some preview pictures on Facebook and I could not be any happier with the pictures.  They are just amazing.  We are awaiting the cd this week.  I can't wait and I know the hard part will be picking which ones to print!  Joey and I have decided to start getting professional pictures taken twice a year now.  Totally worth the extra money in my opinion.  I will post some pictures when the cd comes. The rest of Sunday  was spent watching football and spending time with family. 

      This week we have been very busy getting ready for Christmas.  Ashlyn and I have been making crafts and cookies like crazy.  We are running out of time.  She goes to school the next two days which is too bad because we won't be able to do anything those days.  We tried to take advantage of the time we had.  I have been very busy finishing up my shopping (which I also just started this week) and completing final preparations for Christmas.  Christmas excitement is definitely all around.  I am so excited to see the kids on Christmas morning.  Our Elf has also been very busy this week with lots of mischief.  I think we will all be very sad to see him go on Christmas Eve. 

One morning we found Eddy Buddy reading a story to all of the animals.  It was a new elf book that Ashlyn loved. 

Dawson being a silly boy

I didn't get a good picture because the flash was on, but one morning we found that Eddie Buddy had drawn the family portrait.  Ashlyn thought that this was the funniest thing in the world.

The next day, Eddie was naughty.  He got into the cookies that we baked for Ashlyn's school.  Luckily, he just ate one.

Ashlyn at her program singing.

They all got to hear a story.

Performing her song.  I couldn't get a good shot because Ashlyn was at a bad spot.

Cute!

She loves school so much.

They gave parents a pin with their picture on it.

Ashlyn very excited to eat her cookies.

Ashlyn with her friends.

Ashlyn couldn't believe that Eddie Buddy and all the Toy Story toys built this castle all by themselves. 

Ashlyn working hard on her craft project. 

Her finished product.  She loved doing the lacing.

Working on another project.

I think this tree turned out so cute with her hands.

Eddie Buddy must really be getting tired from all of his trips back and forth to the North Pole. We found him resting. 

Ashlyn and I have been making a lot of cookies for various events.  She is a great little helper.

Look at her go.  She's a pro!

This may be one of his craziest tricks yet!  He turned the chaise lounge on its side! I would say he's a strong little elf.