An early Christmas!

We are headed back to IN this year for Christmas so we celebrated early out here! It was really important to us to start some traditions with Taylor and let her experience Santa at home. Taylor and Derek made a chain to count down, everyday when Derek would get home from work she would take him over to rip off the next link and count how many days till Santa would come! We loved building the anticipation with her and listening to her tell us what he would bring!

(Editors note: After Taylor's bath we slick her hair straight back and then while she sleeps it parts itself and dries stacked in the back...there is a certain Grandma (Megan) that can't stand it and hates that I have pictures with it like that...so to all that it bothers, I apologize!)

On Christmas Eve we let her open one present...preselected of course! Derek and I gave her a Children's Bible, we then read the story of the birth of Jesus and were just so touched with how well she listened and how eager she was to hold the Bible and look through it herself. She loved her nativity and using that as props while we read through the story.

Later in the evening we had her put out cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer. We also asked her if Santa would like some milk with his cookies and she said "NO, Santa wants water". So after we selected the proper cup (she chose a coffee mug) and directed just how much water to put in the mug (about a quarter of a cup), we were ready to leave it for the big guy! Although she did need to help herself to a few of the carrots first!

Christmas morning was so much fun this year. She was so excited when she woke up telling Derek that Santa came .... and that she was a big girl and didn't need his help (which is another topic in itself!). Her face lit up when she saw the tree on and the presents out that Santa had delivered overnight! She was so excited about each present and it just warmed our hearts! We were so bad and only took long videos on Christmas day, we didn't many get pictures. We'll try to get some of the action when we have our next Christmas in Indiana!

We also had a great time celebrating with Derek's family. We did our family Christmas later in the afternoon and judging from the nonexistent walking room in our living room, I'd say everyone had a great time...especially the girls! Thanks so much Bob, Bonnie, Greg, Alyssa and Bea for all the wonderful presents and even more so, for a such a fun day together!