Celebrating Christmas

We've had fun doing things as a family getting ready for Christmas and then there was the special morning, here's our recap of the Holiday.

Ward Christmas Party
This year's theme was the polar express, so we all wore pajamas, drank hot coco, got jingle bells and met Santa. By the time Santa came Ashley was already asleep and Rachel likes the idea of Santa but not actually being near him. Maybe next year.


Making Pizzelles
I made 5 batches of pizzelles this year! It wouldn't be Christmas without them.

Bellagio Gardens
We enjoy going down to the gardens at the Bellagio Casino through out the year because it's always changing. During Christmas it is beautiful with all different colored poinsettias.


Sugar Cookies
Ashley got to join us this time in making, decorating and eating sugar cookies.


Gingerbread House
Another of our yearly traditions is the gingerbread house. We cheat and buy the kit which makes doing this so much easier and quicker.


Christmas Morning
Wow, we had fun. It took 2 1/2 hours to open their presents which is about 2 hours longer than what I thought it would. Rachel came down stairs and was so disappointed because Santa didn't bring playdoh (last year it wasn't wrapped, this year it was). I thought she was going to cry and then she opened up the wrapped playdoh and was so excited. She brought her hands up to her head like she couldn't believe it. It was great! Then every present that was opened needed to be played with. Rachel wore her princess dress the entire time she opened presents. Ashley's "playdoh" was the bounce and spin zebra, she giggled knowing exactly what it was. She didn't even wait until it was put together before she was on it. The rest of the morning was spent playing with all the new toys and games. One of my highlights was being able to have my parents watching the girls enjoy their Christmas morning and then us watching them open their gifts thanks to skype. It's nice to have a way to spend holidays even if we're a half continent apart.