Christmas with the LeBlanc's

Christmas morning after opening all our gifts at our house. We got dressed and headed to Mimi and Papa's. Avery opened her presents from them. She loved her LeapPad and barbie dolls, jewelry and barbie house.

 We all went over to Josh's Grandparents' house. The whole Maxwell gang was there, the only ones missing were Drew and Meredith.

 Chelsi and Baby Max figuring out this present opening thing.

 

 Avery ready for her presents.

 The guys with their Meat :)

 He is the happiest baby!

 Grandma Audrey loving on all her "Greats"

 Merry Christmas!

Ok enough pictures!

Twas the night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house our little mouse was still stirring :)

I worked Christmas Eve until 7pm so Josh and Avery went to Mass with his family, then they hurried home to get everything ready for Santa!

 Cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.

 Ready for Santa to come down the chimney!

 

Before bed, Avery opened a special gift. It had Christmas pajama's, new hot cocoa mugs and the movie "The Crippled Lamb." She got in her comfy PJ's, we drank our cocoa, and watched the movie which is about Jesus' birth. It is so hard to balance the "magic" of Santa with the real meaning of Christmas. I wanted to refocus on the birth of Jesus and she really enjoed the movie.

 Christmas morning, we had to wake the sleepy head up at 8:30! When she finally crawled out of bed she was excited to see all of the carrots gone and the cookies half eaten. She asked why Santa didn't eat all of his cookies, and I told her maybe he wanted to share with you. Avery said " Eww, I don't want Santa's germs!" Haha, little germaphobe! 

 She was very excited to see the camera she had been asking for all season! She also got a new bible, markers and crayons.

 Then it was stocking time!

 A new toothbrush!

 She loved the candy, slippers and gloves that were in there.

 Her BIG present was waiting outside for her with a big bow on it!

 Gettting the hang of it.

 Her very own swing set!

 Momma got a new camera purse

 And Avery loved all of her new presents.

Thank you Uncle Drew and Aunt Meredith for my changing table! Now I can be just like mommy!

Christmas with the Danford's

This past Saturday we celebrated Christmas with the Danford's at Jake and Angela's. It worked out perfectly because the week before we dealt with 2 sick kids (Avery and Jai), mom wasn't sure she could get off of work and trying to accomodate everyone's work schedule is a pain! But thankfully the starts aligned and everyone was able to come together happy and healthy and ready to play.

 These two were certainly ready to open presents.

 This little man didn't know what was going on with the presents but sure liked all of the attention.

 Present time!!!!!

 The night before was Josh's birthday and these three party animals played a little too hard that night!

The kiddos soaked up Grandma time!

Jonnilin made an awesome shrimp fettucinni, we had salad and garlic bread. Then a hot fudge pudding cake in honor of daddy. It was a great day and we are so blessed to be able to get the whole family together for holidays while Josh and JL are close by.

Christmas Traditions

I am absolutely in LOVE with Christmas. I love the music, the food, the movies, the decorations and the feeling of happiness and giving. This year we were able to get an early start on Christmas. We put up our decorations in the middle of November. December was a very busy month for us, so it was so nice to have it doen and to be able to enjoy it the whole Christmas season.

 Here is my little helper, helping me hand the lights.

 TaDa!!!

 Our little angel putting the angel on top of the tree. A little girl, who shall remain nameless, also tooted on her dad during this sweet father/daughter moment. :)

 This was so cute, she found the tree skirt before I put in under the tree and she put it on like a cape. She kept saying "Ho, Ho, Ho, I'm Santa Claus.

 Avery loved playing with the Nativity scene this year. I am so glad I got a study one years ago, so she can play with it to her heart's content. It was so fun watching her learn the story of Jesus' birth and calling all of the figures by their name. It is very important to us that the true meaning of Christmas is not lost in the hustle and bustle of the season.

 Josh even faced his fear of heights to "try" to hand lights on the roof. Unfortunately the peak of our roof was too steep for him to get the lights on. But we were very proud of him for even getting up there to try!

 Avery loved our inflatable Santa. She got upset anytime leaves would get on him or if it rained on him.

 The final product! I actually got 2 trees this year at our church estate sale for an amazing price. So we had this 9ft beauty in our living room and an 8ft white and red themed tree in the breakfast nook. Have I mentioned I love Christmas?

 Our favorite thing to do this year was to snuggle up, drink hot cocoa and watch Christmas movies. Avery's favorite movie this year was "The Grinch"

 We also did our holiday baking. We made peanut butter balls, sugar cookies and chocolate covered Oreos.

 Avery was in charge of the sprinkles.

 Lots of sprinkles!

It is so fun, as Avery grows, to start these traditions with her. I pray that she always has happy memories of the holidays and all the fun stuff we did to make it meaningful and magical.

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving was another fun holiday this year.

 Avery's school had a Thanksgiving feast before their vacation. Each class had decorated shirts and there was a huge dinner waiting for them in the cafeteria.

 All lined up and ready to go.

 Her personalized place mat. This year Avery was thankful for "Mommy, Daddy, Izzy and Grandma"

 She was very excited to be sitting next to her friend Andrew.

 We hosted the Danford's at our house Thanksgiving day. I did not get very many pictures, but here is Avery setting the table.

 We had an awesome spread of fried turkey, ham, green bean casserole, candied yams, cornbread dressing, rolls, ambrosia salad and apple dump cake.

The whole Danford gang was there as well as a girl from Josh's work. We are so very Thankful and blessed this year. As Josh and I grow in our walk with the Lord, it is easier to recognize His blessings. I feel like we don't take as much for granted and give Him the glory for all that is going good in our lives.