Christmas Time!

Even though it hasn't felt like Christmas time (say 70s and sunny), Christmas is almost here! We have enjoyed the build up this year with Grace. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, we picked up our Christmas tree.

Yes, we were in T-shirts. It was in the 80s that day! 

We started a new family tradition this year - decorating for Christmas, listening to Christmas music on Spotify (if you haven't discovered it, you should definitely check it out) and eating Krispy Kremes! Grace loved her first Krispy Kreme experience!

I will always remember this Christmas mostly for experiencing the wonder of the season through Grace's eyes. I treasure the memories of waking up in the morning and hearing her say "Turn Christmas lights on, Mama." followed by "Turn Billage (village) on." and then a hearty "Good morning Billage!" We would get our milk and coffee and put our drinks on coasters (this is a very important step for Grace) and then cuddle on the couch reading Grace's Bible and her other Christmas books. Grace always wanted to find the "Happy Birthday Jesus" story.

Grace and I made a Christmas garland one week.

Because of the entertainment industry, we get a disproportionate amount of publicity for upcoming movies. One of the malls here had a HUGE Happy Feet 2 display.

We seriously live in Mayberry LA. Our town, Culver City, had it's own little Christmas tree lighting ceremony full of elementary school choirs, homemade cookies and a live Santa. 

Grace and her buddy Eli

Daddy took Grace to see Santa and she burst out crying before she even got close to him.

Lucy sporting her cute hat in our new double stroller

We continued a favorite Christmas tradition of Zane's and made his mom's gingerbread cookie recipe. Grace had a blast!

Flour!

Frosting!!!!

Taste!!!!!!!!!!!!

Straight up sprinkles :o)

We also built a gingerbread house! Grace really just wanted to "taste" the decorations, and by taste I mean eat. 

Our church celebrated Christmas early so we used the excuse to get an extra wear out of the girls' beautiful Christmas dresses.

Daddy and his girls

Little Miss Lucy

In case you're wondering, yes, her eyes are that steely blue Grace's were at this age. I don't know how we got 2 girls with light eyes. Lucy's still could change...

We celebrated our Christmas here this morning.

It started with a special breakfast of cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, & a cantaloupe-pomegranate fruit salad.

Lucy loves her new high chair. Now she can participate in family meals. Thanks Nonni!

Cinnamon rolls - O Boy!

Grace is great at helping clean up after meals. This just kills me...

Grace got a few treats for the flight in her stocking.

She loved giving Lucy her present - an elephant paci!

She's getting so big!

Grace LOVED her present from Lucy. Lucy's card said "Dear Big Sister Grace, I can't wait until I'm big enough to have tea parties with you. Love, Moosey Goosey."

Just unwrapping the presents was more than half the fun.

Then came the BIG present. It was a perfect sermon illustration. Grace didn't want to put her shoes on to leave the house. She wanted to play with her play dough. Little did she know that there was something way cooler waiting for her outside.

Merry Christmas y'all! It's off to the South for a Tender Tennessee Christmas for us!