Christmas Morning 2011

We had a very blessed Christmas Day with Nana and Aunt Brenda being with us to help celebrate the birthday of Jesus. We began the morning quite early and did not stop opening gifts until many hours later. It was so much fun watching the girls hand out presents to all of us! Having Nana and Aunt Brenda with us made the day even more special as we thanked each other and God for the many gifts both material and other that we have been blessed with. We also called family in all parts of the US including Washington DC, New York and Memphis. This is a very special time of year and even when loved ones can't be with us, they are in our hearts. We hope that all of our friends and family had a wonderful Christmas Day. We wish much joy and peace during this wonderful season. Enjoy the photos below of our Christmas morning!

A Visit from Santa Claus!

  
 The girls both asked Santa this year for American Girl dolls, Julie and Kanani. Emma-Caroline also asked for Julie's hip '70's bed and bike and Sophie asked for all of Kanani's accessories.

 Santa was very generous and brought the girls all the items on their list as well as other things like games, puzzles, art supplies and books.

 After a little coaxing from big sister, Sophie was up and ready to see what Santa had left.

 The girls inspected the crumbs, drops of milk and letter from Santa.

 They then went in to discover the fun things Santa had brought.

 More to come on Christmas morning with gift opening with Nana and Aunt Brenda!

Christmas Day 2010

Christmas Day was a beautiful day here in the Avery House. It was a day of rest, fun, excitement, joy, love, wonder, . . . It was our first Christmas in our new home. We are blessed and happy and thankful for all that God has provided for us.
Our day began early, as I am sure all parents with young children know. Emma-Caroline tip-toed into our room and quietly whispered to me, "Mommy, do you think Santa has been here?" Sweet girl! We had to wake Sophie, Howie and Nana so that we could all venture to the family room together. Before we made it to see what Santa had brought, the girls discovered that their Elf on the Shelf had brought them some goodies and placed them in the stockings on the door (This is an added tradition we started when we first got our elves.)
We then ventured to the family room to find Santa's gifts.
The girls were excited to find their Just like Me American Girl Dolls, clothes, pets, and bunk beds. Sophie named her doll Emma Rose and Emma-Caroline named her doll just Caroline. We like naming things after ourselves around here it seems!

Later the girls open gifts from Nana, Mimi and G-Daddy, Aunt Linda and Aunt Brenda, Grandma Beverly, Aunt Rhonda, Aunt Bess and cousins Elizabeth, Ellen and Diane, as well as presents from Mommy and Daddy.
Sophie was the most excited about all of her gifts. The Zhu-Zhu Pets were a hit!
Emma-Caroline loved her ballerina doll from Aunt Brenda.

Both Emma-Caroline and Sophie received beautiful silver butterfly necklaces from Aunt Linda.
We opened presents in "shifts" only stopping to eat breakfast. The girls were so excited about all of their gifts.
Even after breakfast we still had gifts to open!
Emma-Caroline showing off her American Girl Doll and carrying case from Mimi and G-Daddy.
Howie was excited about his socks from Nana!
Sophie was thrilled with her Dora Dollhouse.
Still more presents!
The favorite Zhu-Zhu Pet. Below, Nana got some favorites too!
We truly had a wonderful day together. The gifts that surround us are wonderful, but the greatest gift of all is God's love shown to us through Jesus and the gift of love that comes from family and friends. We hope all of our family and friends had a wonderful and blessed Christmas. Please continue to pray for Edie of Life in Grace http://www.lifeingraceblog.com/who lost everything in a house fire three days before Christmas.