Christmas 2016

I'm a tad late writing about our Christmas last year, but because it was one of the best holidays we've ever had, I couldn't help but still blog about it!

The whole month of December, the girls had such a blast! Between looking at Christmas lights, opening all the generous and thoughtful gifts they received and enjoying the spirit of Christmas, it was such a fun month for us!

Jayden loved our nativity scene! We would wind-up the music box and listen to the pretty music almost every day!

Out and about looking at Christmas lights with Memaw and Papa! One of the girls favorite things to do!

When we were bringing out the Christmas decorations, we came across this singing and dancing puppy that Uncle John and Aunt Mary gave to Jayden a few years ago. Ever since Sophia found him, she hasn't let him go! 

Christmas Eve with the Erickson's! Such a fun way to start the day!

They saved the biggest and best gift for last!

And Uncle Steve was as excited as the girls to assemble their cool Power Wheels Jeep!!

Such a fun and generous gift from Auntie Neen, Auntie Katy & Uncle Steve!

Later that day we headed down to Escondido to spend time with Jonathan's side of the family. The girls had such a fun day and enjoyed their Christmas Eve dinner at their special table!

Quality time with the great grandparents and their family!! 

Jayden trying on her new Christmas ornament stocking LOL

When we got home later that night, it was time to assemble the girls new trikes!!

Best daddy EVER!

FINALLY!!! Christmas morning!!!

The girls LOVED opening all the gifts! And by Christmas morning, they had the routine down! If we said, let's go sit down and open gifts, they would run to their spots and wait patiently for their gifts!

Selfie :)

Notice daddy's blue bow on his head...

Shortly after, the girls copied their daddy :)

Drum roll please...their final gifts made their appearance! Sophia & Savannah are a little short and can't quite reach their pedals, but it won't be long before they are riding around with big sis Jayden!

After opening all their fun gifts, it was breakfast time! Their sweet great-grandma Dee made yummy Mickey Mouse waffles and they ate every last bite!! Such a fun way to start off the day!

After nap time, it was time to head to Monnie's house for more Christmas day fun! 

The four musketeers (minus one = Brooklyn)

The girls had so much fun opening their gifts!

...and it wasn't too much longer before the dress-up clothes came out!

We had such a fun time this holiday season and we had an amazing time with friends and family!

Now that all the decorations are packed away, there's one specific Christmas toy that hasn't made it's way up to the attic (and probably never will). Sophia is obsessed with her little puppy and she even has a hard time going to sleep if he isn't with her!

Happy Holidays from our family to yours! And an extra special thank you to our friends and family that made this holiday season so special!! <3

21 Months and Oh So Fun!

I can't believe there are only 9 more days in 2016 and today Sophia & Savannah turn 21 months! They are getting so big and while we have our fair share of crazy days in our house, this stage is so much fun! Listening to them jabber and learn new words is so much fun! 

Sophia is still our little social butterfly ~ she will go up to (almost) anyone and let them hold her and she will have a conversation with them...meanwhile, Savannah will just sit quietly by herself and read a book, do a puzzle or build blocks. They are both so smart and uniquely different ~ I love it! One of my favorite things is they call each other "sissy" and will have conversations with each other in the morning or while they are in the room before bed. I hope they are always best friends <3

This month they have also had a few "firsts". Yesterday they started swim lessons...that was quite the adventure! They did amazing swimming last summer when we would go to the pool, but last night they were not having it! Towards the end of the class, they finally calmed down, but all Sophia wanted was to get out of the water and hold her little Christmas doggie and Savannah just wanted to play in the water, not work! LOL

And last week they both had their first dentist appointment! They did great, until they had to lay down on the chair! They pretty much freaked out the whole time until they got back out of the chair. But overall, everything went well and they had good reports from the dentist! They loved getting their pink balloon after they were done getting their teeth cleaned!

I love these two little loves! I can't get enough of them and their spunky personalities!

They loved helping decorating for Christmas this year! All the girls wanted to be outside while daddy put up our lights...unfortunately our inflatables for our front yard all broke this year, so we will have to replace them :( 

But the snowman across the street has also provided hours of free entertainment for the girls! We have to go over almost every day to say "hi" to "fowy" (as Sophia calls him).

The train around the tree is by far their favorite! That was probably the best investment ~ it has provided hours of fun for all three girls! We love building tunnels with blocks and watching the train go around and around the tree! Awwww...the simple things in life :)

The best is when we let them play with a TV remote and they think it turns on and off the train while we are really turning it on and off with the real remote. It's hilarious :D

 

It's amazing how you can grow two babies in your belly at the exact same time, deliver them the same day, feed them the same foods, love on them the same, parent them the same and yet they could not be more different if they tried!   

Sophia & Savannah ~ you are so loved! I can't believe you're already 21 months! The big TWO will be here before we know it! You bring so much love, fun, tenderness and joy into our lives! 

Let's enjoy every day before you turn another year older. 

We love you! <3

Jayden's First Christmas Performance

A few days ago, Jayden had her very first Christmas Performance at school! Since she sometimes doesn't do very well with large crowds, we started preparing her about a week in advance. Every day I would remind her that the performance is coming up and how she will be standing on stage in the church and all the families will be sitting down in the crowd. When the day of the performance came, I was so nervous for her, but I reminded myself it was her first performance and even if she just stands up on stage, that is a success and I would be happy with that! 

Jayden was the very last preschooler in line and was so excited when she saw me, daddy, Monnie, Memaw and Papa!

Even in her spot on stage, she was all smiles!

Once the singing began, she was doing all the hand motions and singing all the songs! I couldn't stop smiling! But for me, the best part of the performance was when Nate, her best friend at school, started getting nervous, Jayden stopped singing and started rubbing his back and comforting him!

In that moment, I could care less about her knowing all the songs and hand motions, I was overcome with joy that our little 3 1/2 year old was loving and comforting one of her best friends. 

After her concert, we met her back in her classroom to congratulate her on her stellar performance! Even Nate's mom came up to me and told me how Jayden loving on Nate was the sweetest thing she's ever seen and how it helped Nate get through the performance. We could not be more proud of our sweet Jayden...not only did she do an AMAZING job singing all her songs and doing all the hand motions, but her love for others was more than evident during the concert! 

I love her kind, gentle and loving spirit <3

Jayden and her amazing teacher, Mrs. Ross!

Our super star <3