Christmas Morning

So this is the second year in a row now that we have had our family out to our house on Christmas morning.  I guess that makes it a tradition now…So the grandparents arrive around 9am, but that means we are stalling a three year old for two hours BEFORE they arrive--worked out pretty well, until the last 15 minutes.  It is hard waiting to open and see all your Santa gifts that long, but she was a real trooper for the most part.

While Santa was very good to Bella, I only featured a few of her favorite gifts…

Bella has been sleeping with her baby blankets since, well, she was a baby.  But Santa must have known there is a big girl bed in her future, so he provided her with a BIG and COZY Rapunzel blanket.  She has slept with it every night since.

This however was the cherished gift--you know the one you ask Santa for and just hope that he is able to get it for you?   Somehow it managed to fall behind the chair, so for a bit we had a little girl that was rather worried Santa may have forgotten her #1 item.

Love her excitement in this pic--

and the fact that she still loves Toy Story and has from the very beginning.  

After gift opening, more of the family arrived.  Aunt Sarah, Uncle James, and Uncle Mike made it for our brunch on top of the grandparents who were already there.  We definitely missed Mammaw and Pappaw this year, but they weren't feeling 100% on Christmas Day, so they had to stay home. 

Bella and Mike rocked it out with the blocks for most of the time before we ate as a family.  She is quite the builder but Uncle Mike definitely gave her a run for her money too.

I managed to spend much of the morning in the kitchen, with a lot of help from my parents--Thanks mom and dad--but I couldn't resist a tummy shot since, well, I haven't gotten many of these this entire pregnancy.

We had a lovely brunch, lots of yummy food, everything from breakfast casserole to deep fried turkey, made by me and all of you who brought things as well.  Tried out new recipes, sat around the table and throughout the house, and just took in the wonderfulness of Christmas.  And all along, I couldn't help but wonder what it will be like next year when we throw another little girl into the mix.  Can't wait!  

Thanks all who were able to make it, and able to celebrate with us on Christmas Day.  We love this tradition we are creating for Bella and our family, and are so thankful each of you can be a part of it--now we just need to do a better job of taking pics of those who were in attendance.