We wish you a Merry Christmas! 2011

We had a quiet Christmas morning at the Long house. We savored our last Christmas as a family of three ( though someone made sure that there was plenty of internal bladder kicking as to not be forgotten). We took our time opening each gift before moving on to the next. Despite staying up a little later than normal, Mike and I were up bright and early, filled with child like anticipation. We waited as long as we could for Mackenzie to rouse from her sleep before Mike , unable to wait another second,crept into her room followed by me with the video camera. Her sweet , sleepy voice whispered " Merry Christmas!" and with that she remembered that Santa was promised to visit and she was out of bed and down the stairs!

We knew Santa would come through with a fantastic present and we didn't want to miss Mack's reaction so we had the video camera rolling to catch her reaction. The poor girl is so much like her mother, who gets easily embarrassed when all the attention is on her. She pulled off the blanket that Santa cleverly used to hide the gift and , with a mini gasp said " Um. I'lllll just have to play with this later." :
This doll house came with a poseable family of six. Mack has loved playing with them and so have I. Playing dolls was a favorite pastime for my sisters and me growing up. Seeing Mackenzie playing with them and creating scenes between them is so much fun to watch. I giggle at how, inevitably,all of the family and the pets , too ( two cats and a dog, perfectly enough) along with a good portion of the furniture end up in the parents bedroom. She is strangle patient when I make the baby throw a colossal tantrum, cooing " It's ok, Dear."

Mackenzie had a pretty good pile of loot at the end of present opening but her favorites were the scented nail polish, lip gloss and ear " muves" :
Mike was surprised with a new shop jacket that he proclaims is cozy enough to sleep in!:

Ellie was a happy girl when she found her stocking filled with dog treats and toys. After trying to bury this bone with no luck, she decided to indulge instead:
Mike spoiled me with my favorite Bath and Body Works treats as well as the "Family of Four" Willow Tree plaque and a figurine of a Mom, daughter and baby. That is a sure fire way to make a mama cry!
And for the little boy bouncing around in my belly from his proud daddy:
Looking ahead and wondering how next years Christmas will be makes me excited but I pray that each Christmas is filled with these quiet blessings and knowing how much love grows in our house.