Christmas Cheer

Christmas Eve, we went up to my mom and dad's to celebrate. My parents decided to switch up our gift-giving tradition this year and we drew names. I will admit when I first heard about this, I wasn't a big fan...I do not do well with change. ;) It worked out wonderfully though and saved my mom a lot of stress. Brynna has only asked consistently for two things for Christmas...a real pony and a suitcase. She didn't get a REAL pony, but she was still delighted with the little gray pony she found in her stocking. She was even more delighted when she opened her PINK suitcase from Aunt Tracee! After gifts, we ate and played games. Then I went to Candlelight Service with my Grammy. Growing up, we always went to Candlelight at my Grammy and Gramps' church on Christmas Eve. I hadn't been since Braylee was a baby. It was the first time I'd been back in that church since Gramps' funeral. I sat in "his spot." A man sang O Holy Night during communion and I couldn't hold back the tears...partly because I miss my Gramps but mostly because I envisioned my Gramps spending Christmas in heaven with Jesus.

Egnew Grandkids- Elyas, Emilee, Braylee, & Brynna

Loving her new pony
Travis, Heather, Emilee, Ely, Braylee, Brynna, me, Alex, Tracee (& twins), Nick, & Trista
Brynna drew Tracee's name.
Braylee had Papaw's name.
I love the huge rug my mom got me!My dad gave my mom a bunch of homemade candles.
She was pleasantly surprised to find cash stashed in them too!

My siblings and I- Tera (30), Trista (23), Travis (32), and Tracee (29)
Getting ready for bed on Christmas Eve

Since we are in the rental house right now, we decided it would be fun to let the girls spend the night at Mamaw & Papaw's and wake up there on Christmas morning. The girls loved the princess dolls they found in their stockings and danced around the living room with them. They were anxious to open their gifts but were patient little girls and let us go watch Emilee and Ely open their gifts first. On our way home from their house, Alex and I were surprised when Brynna said the entire Pledge of Allegiance by herself!! (She picked it up on her own from hearing Braylee say it I guess.) We just looked at each other and laughed!

Christmas Morning

Once back at Mamaw & Papaw's, the girls emptied their stockings first. Then they opened gifts from us...including new bedding for their room. We always have them open their big gift from Santa last. This year, Santa brought a dollhouse! :) They love it!!

Dancing with Belle & Cinderella.
The princesses also had notes attached to them telling the
girls they can't wait to see them at Disney World soon. ;)

Decor for their new room

This is the last picture I have from Christmas. It was in the afternoon before we went to the Swartzentruber gathering. Brynna is having Belle recite the Pledge of Allegiance (notice her holding her hand across her chest). ;) I took a video of her little voice too, but alas...it's gone. :(

I'll update on the rest of our Christmas festivities once I get some pictures from family.

Oh No!!

I am devastated! Somehow, I've lost over half of my Christmas pictures! I took over 250 between 12/24 & 12/28 and my album is only showing 85 pictures now. :( I lost the pictures from our Swartzentruber (Alex's mom's side), Knepp, and Clifford (my mom's side) family gatherings. I'm so sad. Thankfully, I will get a few pictures from family but it just won't be the same. I'm too bummed to work on my Christmas update now. I'll try to post again soon...

Jolly Holidays

We have had so much fun the last few days! Saturday, Jamie and I took our kids, along with little Trista, to see The Princess and the Frog. Alex and I debated on whether to let the girls go. Alex thought it would be too scary and the girls would end up in our bed all night. But, they both loved it! It was Brynna's "first time" to the movies. (She went a couple of times as an infant when we'd take Braylee and saw a short film on a big screen at a museum.) The movie could have done without the voodoo stuff, but the princess & frog part was really cute.

Brynna LOVES popcorn so she enjoyed having her very own bag!

Trista, Brynna, Braylee, Ava, & Jake

Saturday evening, I had the girls try on their dresses for a few pictures. We had lots of fun with all their posing. Brynna was in heaven since she asks daily to wear a skirt and tights. ;)

Sunday morning was Christmas Sunday at church, the 4th Sunday of Advent. I love Christmas Sunday, and I'm going to miss singing all of the Christmas carols. I do not tire of Christmas music. ;) O Holy Night is one of my MOST favorite songs.

Our Family ~ Christmas 2009

Braylee and Sydney

After church, we went to my Granny & Pa's house (my dad's parents) for Christmas. We all received wonderful gifts! The girls' new sweater dresses are adorable!! They have been attached to their new Barbies ever since...even slept with them the first night.

Granny & Pa with the great-grandkids.

Brynna talked my brother into playing with her...so cute!

I mentioned in the last post about Braylee telling the story of Jesus' birth. It's detailed...from when the angels told Mary and Joseph she was pregnant until the wise men brought him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. On the way home that night, she was telling the story once again and got to the part about the angel coming to tell the shepherds. She said, "The shepherds were out in the fields watching their sheep and a bright light shone in the sky. They all got scared and ran together..... pause...I just made that part up!!" followed by lots of giggles! :) But then right went on into "The angel said, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news." Such a silly girl.

Monday, Aunt Tracee went with us to Bloomington to finish our Christmas shopping and to help me finalize some house things. It was a long and busy day but a successful day.

Tuesday, Santa came to daycare. I wasn't working, but I took the girls in to see Santa. They had a ball!
Aunt Tracee came down in the afternoon to see our new house. We also wanted to take some belly pictures! It was such a treat for my girls to see Tracee for 3 straight days since she has always lived in South Carolina since they were born. She even had the chance to read the girls some stories and stay for dinner. I think the belly pictures turned out very sweet...hope she doesn't mind me posting a few! :) This evening, the girls wanted to go Christmas caroling. I decided we could walk down to Jamie's...but they weren't home. Just as we were walking back up to our house, Jenn & Brad and their kids pulled up in the drive. We wished Jenn a Happy Birthday and the girls sang We Wish You A Merry Christmas to them. Jenn, thanks for stopping by because you made my little girls very happy! They can't wait to go caroling again! :)

May you all have a Joyous Christmas! What a wonderful gift God gave us on Christmas morning! He has an amazing love for us! While we were still sinners, He sent His Son into the world to die for us. I hope you cherish the true meaning of Christmas with your families this year.

Pre-School Program & Party

Monday evening was Braylee's Christmas program at pre-school. She has been singing the songs for the last two weeks around the house and did a wonderful job at the program! She had to find Chloe, her best buddy in her class, afterward to get a picture. So cute! Then, we went out for dinner with Mamaw and Papaw.

Chloe & Braylee- I often forget how tall Braylee is since her BFF Sydney is also tall. But, it's really obvious when she's next to a shorter friend. :)

With Papaw & Mamaw

Below is Grant's papaw Dave, Grant, Braylee, and my dad. My dad and Dave went to school together and then I went to school with Dave's kids and now their grandkids will be in the same class! Our families (mine and Heather's) grew up about an hour from here, but Heather and I both married boys from the same area. :) When we make it into our new house, we will be living just a few houses away from each other and our little kiddos will grow up together. It's nice having a little bit of Greene County so close!

Yesterday was Braylee's Christmas party at pre-school. They had a big birthday party for Jesus. While we do let the girls enjoy "Santa" and all of the magic of Christmas, it is very clear to me that my girls know exactly what Christmas is really about. They can both tell the story of Jesus' birth...very detailed by Braylee. You should ask her sometime. ;) I was able to leave work for a little while to attend the party with her.
Last night, Mandy and I had a "Girls Night Out" with our little girls! We took them to Mi Pueblo of course because these girls can put away the chips and burritos! When we got back, the girls were playing in the bedroom and walked out in leotards. They looked so cute!

This was taken last Sunday before church...gives a little glimpse of our rental house too. :)