Christmas 2012

Gifts are put away, laundry is caught up, and my house is relatively clean. So, I finally had a chance to pull all of our Christmas photos off my camera! Here is a look at our Christmas celebrations.

Eve of Christmas Eve
--Wyatt's Baptism :)

 
--Christmas Ballet starring Ms. Rachel

--Hanging out at Grandpa and Grandma's house

 
Then it was on to the big day!

--Christmas Eve--
1pm- A mini-photo shoot before church.

3pm- After a beautiful children's Christmas Eve service, we went outside and took some photos with Aunt Jenn and Uncle Jade.

5pm- Back at our house we hosted our annual Christmas Eve dinner for all of our family.

--Christmas Day--
6am- Jeff and I are the only ones awake. We are so excited for the girls to see what Santa brought.

6:45 am- We get the girls up :) Afton got a xylophone and sewing machine from Santa. Maisy got a scooter and talking  baby. Everyone is happy! 

8am- My Dad and Tricia come over for present exchange and Christmas breakfast.

6pm- After napping and relaxing all day, we head over to Grammy and Gramps for present exchange and Christmas Dinner.

8pm- We ended the night with playing in the snow. A white Christmas in Texas??! Such a treat!

It was a very Merry Christmas!

My Happy Place

After the events on Friday, all I wanted to do this weekend was to be with family. This is my happy place. We enjoyed the warm December weather and decorated cookies at Grammy's house.


 

So thankful for our blessings- little and big. 

Broadway Bound

Afton made her stage acting debut on Tuesday night. After spending a semester in the "Broadway Bound" class at church, she performed "The Hard Knock Life" from Annie. Her class did an amazing job- signing and dancing! Each kid had two 'solo' lines, Afton practiced her lines over and over again before the big show.

She was confident on stage and projected her voice. 

My favorite part was how excited she was when it was all done. It reminded me of a "runner's high". She was so proud of her class and her performance!

Next semester she begins "Musical Theater". We can't wait!

In case you missed the show, I recorded the dress rehearsal. Click on the link below to see it.
http://youtu.be/nCfdjt07Ydo

Maisy's First Dance Recital

Maisy has spent the semester dancing! She has been studying tap and ballet with Miss Jo-Ann and has loved every minute of it. To show off what they have learned, Miss Jo-Ann's Little Dancers put on a Christmas Recital at the high school. The show consisted of 26 numbers with a grand finale of the entire group singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".

Despite her enthusiasm, I was very nervous about Maisy and this show. My sweet girl is only 3 and being on stage for two numbers as well as waiting backstage without her family, well it seemed like a lot to ask. So for the grandparents reading this-- we didn't invite any guests to the show since we feared she might not even make it onto the stage.

 

Although I was called back to the dressing room three times-- because Maisy needed me :)-- she did AWESOME! She smiled, she danced, and she made up a lot of her own moves. Maisy was a little dancing diva.

My photos/videos during the performance are not great, I was too busy watching Maisy to properly document the event. But here are two iphone videos of her dances. Maisy is on the very left, with the big bun and bow.

(Click over the to the blog to see the videos below)

Ballet- "Frosty the Snowman"

Tap- "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth"

She lasted the entire 2 hour recital. And at the end, graciously accepted flowers from her adoring fans. 

Way to go Maisy! 

So Many Santas

We have seen Santa a lot around town lately. First, he flew in via helicopter to Afton's school.

 

Then we made our annual trip to see Santa at Town Square. Despite her excitement, Maisy ended up quite scared and upset. So $20 later, this was the best photo we got. And Afton had to talk to Santa for Maisy- since we was too sad to talk.

We then drove across the way to do some shopping and who should we see? Well it was Santa Claus again! This time sitting in front of Central Market- talking to children for free! Maisy said she wanted to go see him and tell him her Christmas wish. (She wants a 'talking baby') With a little coaxing and some kind words, this Santa was able to get Maisy come near. She even worked up the courage to talk to him.

The Central Market Santa was so kind. Afton decided he was the 'real Santa'- not just a helper like the one on the helicopter or at Town Square.

The girls are hoping Santa brings them everything on their lists :)