Christmas {2011}

Well, the crescendo of Christmas is over and I am feeling a bit in a funk. I think partly it is due to the unseasonably warm weather and no snow and the anticipation of Christmas is now over. We have many things to look forward to in the new year...mainly our new addition in March, and so while I am sad the holidays are over the anticipation for our little girl is building every day!

This Christmas Eve we spent with Darryl's side at Eric and Leah's. They graciously hosted as Darryl's parents new house is still being built. The girls were all so excited for presents and it was pretty funny watching them tear into presents all at once. Brylee got a dollhouse from Nana and G'pa Jim {which she has enjoyed playing with the last few days} and she got a Belle costume {from Beauty and the Beast} from Eric, Leah and the girls which she enjoys playing "princess". She got many wonderful gifts from everyone and we enjoyed many yummy appetizers all day long! I think all I did was eat!

On Christmas morning, Brylee awoke to Santa's present....a puppet theater. She was very excited and I am sure it will take her imagination to new places. We all opened presents {Darryl, Brylee, and I} before heading to my parents around noon. Some highlight gifts....a new Dooney and Bourke purse for me, a massage, and tickets to see the Lion King play in January. Darryl got the new iphone 4S {as his other one was on the fritz}, new running shoes, and clothes. Brylee got puzzles, a doll, dollhouse furniture, a stuffed kitty, magnadoodle and many more things.

At my parents, we had a wonderful lunch {ham and the whole works} and then we opened the mound of presents! Brylee was spoiled  by Dappa and G'ma Nancy and my brothers! We had a great time, eating, drinking cider, playing our annual Bingo, and just celebrating Christmas. It was a low key day, but that is what I like about it.

We weren't able to go to Iowa on Monday, as apparently some of the Voigt's were sick with the flu! So, eventhough we were disappointed we are grateful that they were kind enough not to share their sickness! So, we will hopefully be seeing them sometime in January.

Yesterday, Darryl and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it has been 8 years! We went to see a movie {which we haven't done in forever!}. The movie the Descendants {with George Clooney} was really good! Followed by the movie we went dowtown to eat at Zelo's an Italian Restaurant. We ate way too much and enjoyed the most scrumptious chocolate dessert! Heaven.

So, there you have it. Christmas 2011! It was a great Christmas and we are so lucky to have great family and friends! We are truly blessed.

Now on to this week's challenge....potty training. Day 1...done {with a few accidents}, here's to a accident free day tomorrow!

Here are some pics from Christmas...

{melting snowmen cookies}

 {Darryl, Alix, and Drew}

 {Miss Paige}

{Alix serenading Brylee}

 {Brylee playing the piano}

 {Eric and Paige}

 {Miss Drew}

 {the mound of gifts}

 {G'pa Jim}

{Nana Reda}

 {the girls coming in from outside...they looked like the 3 stooges coming in the door}

 {the Christmas Chaos}

 {mommy and princess Belle}

 {uncle Eric and Princess Brylee}

 {Brylee's new dollhouse from Nana and G'pa Jim}

 {the grinch!}

 {happiness}

 {Leah opening presents}

 {Eric with his outdoor calendar}

{Santa left a puppet theater}

 {Santa's crumbs}

 {Brylee's grinch doll in her stocking...she is obsessed with that movie!}

 {putting on her fake lipstick....good thing it wasn't real or it would've been all over her face!}

{her new dr. kit}

 {Carrying her new dollhouse furniture to her dollhouse}

 {her new white kitty....just like Alix's}

 {Her new princess slippers}

 {opening his new iphone}

 {Making sure she has a pulse}

 {Rosie just chillin'}

 {new running shoes}

 {hugs}

{the U of M tree....gopher nation}

 {G'ma Joyce}

 {cheese}

 {Brylee's stack of presents}

 {waiting for her turn to open}

 {the lovebirds}

 {opening her dumbo movie}

 {reading her calico critter brochure}

 {mom opening her presents}

 {reading dr. seuss}

 {Colin opening his gifts}

 

{the present I made for my mom...with lots of Darryl's help}

{hope you all had a joyous holiday!}