Christmas Time...

Good evening friends.  Where has the time gone?  I know I've been missing from blog land for a bit but I have been busy enjoying the Christmas season.
I have been checking in on your blogs but haven't been commenting much.  I promise to do better.
We had a good holiday season. Although it was a bit sad without hubby's dad, we made it and enjoyed it.
I was in charge of the party at Darbee's school.  It was a Polar Express party.  The children wore their PJ's to school and they watched the movie.  Her class went around the school to every classroom caroling.  I stayed all day with her as well as a few other parents.  It was so much fun.

I took in the snacks.  They had Christmas sugar cookies with sprinkles, "snowball" cheese balls, and reindeer donuts.  I also made homemade hot chocolate.  I used the polar express recipe and it was DELICIOUS!

Here is her class caroling in another pre-k room.

They were adorable!

Christmas Eve, we always meet and eat Christmas breakfast together.  We met Nana and Papa and enjoyed a nice breakfast at Cracker Barrel.  Afterward, we went shopping for stocking stuffers.  

We had a super busy day.  We had to go to three houses for get togethers.  Whew!  We ended up at Nana's that evening for our Christmas. Darbee was so excited and wanted to open gifts first thing.

Do you think she was a little excited when she discovered what was wrapped?

Oh yea...

It was her new baby doll, Charlotte.

We had such a good day and was so ready for Santa to come. We hurried home and got to bed.  I think I was just as excited as Darbee.  I was like a kid too!

Before we headed to bed though, Darbee had to tell Elmer bye as he would be going home with Santa until next year.  

Darbee was allowed to touch him since he would be leaving that night.

She gave him many hugs and kisses and sadly told him bye.  

She placed him right by the door so Santa wouldn't forget him. :)

Goodbye Elmer!  You have been a lot of fun!

We had to wake Darbee up on Christmas morning!  We have had to every year!

She was so excited to go see what Santa brought.

I love this one.  She didn't know what to say or think.

Santa wrapped some presents this year which was something he had never done.  She quickly tore into them.

She was thrilled when she unwrapped her pink bb gun.

She had to hold it up.

And even more excited when she opend a Wii.  

This was nothing she had asked for and a complete surprise. 

It was more of a gift for all of us. :)

I just loved her expressions.  She was so excited about her Stompeez!

An ipod was her most wanted thing.  Santa "hid" it behind another toy.  She got all of her presents unwrapped including an ipod case and didn't have an ipod.  She wanted to cry but still wanted to be happy over all of her toys.  Hubby asked her to bring him a toy to look at and it was behind that one.  She started screaming and jumping.  It was priceless.

Then she hugged it.

Yes...we were so blessed this holiday season.

As excited as I was on Christmas morning, there was a sad place in my heart.  One because I knew Bennie, hubby's dad wouldn't be coming to play and see what Santa brought.  Another because I knew how sad and heartbroken those parents who lost their children in the shooting must have been.  I just can't imagine how they must have felt.  

We had a good Christmas and for that I am thankful. We spent time with those we love.  We made memories. We carried on traditions.  We were blessed.

I hope all of you have had a good Christmas season.  

Until next time....