Merry Christmas!

As usual, it was a busy holiday season. And as today comes to an end, I can't help but reflect on all of our many blessings. The girls had a fabulous Christmas, not because they had the toy store delivered to them (almost literally, including the clothing dept), but because they are surrounded by so much love. As the holidays approach each year, it's easy to get tired of the hustle and bustle from planning Thanksgiving to planning Emma's birthday then turn around and prepare for Christmas. As if the day to day grind isn't enough to squeeze in to a measly 24 hours, now we have to plan Thanksgiving feasts, shop for presents and plan Christmas Eve/Day, all the while working against everyone's schedules? It's enough to tire anyone out! But at the end of the day, we remind ourselves of the gratitude we have to be able to have such a "problem". To have so much family to spend our time with and to share the holidays. So much family whom we love, and who love us, and most importantly, our daughters.

We were able to spend Christmas Eve with the "Powell" side (now the "Powell-Thomas" side) :) Matt, the girls and I went to [Auntie] Jenny's and [Uncle] Robbie's where Grammie and Faaja were visiting... and Grammie was making a delicious Christmas Eve dinner. Everyone had a part to play in the dinner prep, teeny tiny parts, so I'll give all the credit to Grammie ;) I got to steal Riley (Jenny's baby, cousin to Emma and Kk, 4 months old) for a little while and hear his sweet laughter. He is so precious. Absolutely the sweetest little guy. After dinner, we gathered around and opened presents. Kaelyn and Emma helped Grammie pass out each present to its respective recipient. It was quite amazing how well Kaelyn did in taking the gift from Grammie, the direction to where it went and how well she followed the direction. Such a proud little elf she was ;) Being that the tradition is "oldest to youngest", the girls had to wait a while before they got to open their stack of presents, but they waited so patiently, I couldn't be more proud. Riley too...he was a trooper! As the night got late, we came home, opened up Christmas eve pajamas, left cookies and milk out for Santa, and went to bed. Well, the girls went to bed. Santa still had a lot of work to do... and cookies to eat. YUM!

Christmas morning we all four came downstairs together and Emma and Kaelyn saw their gifts from Santa; Emma got a scooter, and Kk a tricycle. They opened their stockings, and then more presents from Santa and Mommy/Daddy.  Grammie and Faaja came over and spent a couple hours playing with the girls and their new toys before heading back home. And then later in the evening, Matt and I took the girls to see Disney on Ice at the CBB Arena. The show was beautiful and filled with talent, great effects, music, costumes, and lighting. Emma loved Ariel. When she came out, Emma's face lit up and my heart melted and filled with so much joy. To see the girls smile is all I need in this world. I couldn't ask for more. Kk, well she was a bit restless throughout the show so I had to take a few trips outside to distract her. She is still too young I guess. But I would still consider the experience worth it.

As we wrap up Christmas Eve/Day of this year, our Christmas festivities have not ended. We still have two more gatherings to plan for which will continue into the beginning of January. This coming weekend will be with my brothers and their families (more adorable babies!!!!) and my stepmom and next weekend will be with my sisters and their families. So, the shopping has not ended, and the love and feasts will continue. As we fight the day to day grind, it's easy for our days to slip away, and time with our loved ones to pass by us in a blink. So we are grateful for holidays, even in the chaos, to be able to spend QUALITY time with our loved ones. At the end of the day that is all that matters anyways; presents and food are just icing on the cake. I couldn't have asked for a better holiday season, for a more amazing family or for more beautiful, bright, and loving daughters.

Here are some holiday pictures to share. Merry Christmas!!

Riley... I'm including this pic because he is too darn cute!!

Cousins!

Kk didn't really care for Santa...