Christmas Morning

DISCLAIMER: I haven't posted all these pictures of the girls' presents because I think my blog readers really want to see every gift they got.  I've only posted them so my parents can see our Christmas morning.  With that out of the way...

Ava woke up at 6:30.  I had just gotten up and was hoping to sneak back to bed, but it wasn't to be.  She told me she had hardly slept she was so excited.  I consulted Brig as to what we should do...wait for Brielle to wake up or let Ava open right away.  We decided to make her wait.  I know.  We're cruel.  In the meantime I made french toast and bacon and Ava jabbered excitedly about what she thought all her presents were.  She did pretty good being patient, poor girl.  Brielle woke up at 7:30. 

 And she's off....

Brielle woke up happy, but then again she usually does.  She seemed to get the opening presents thing more than Ava did on her first Christmas.  Maybe that's because she has a big sister to show her how to do it.

 Bree and her wild hair. 

 

Ava helping Brielle open her presents.  Sometimes Brielle got annoyed and would yell out in protest when Ava wasn't letting her in on the action

 Brielle with Ava's boots.

 Gosh dang-it Mom, don't take my pillow pet away!

 Oh you were just trying to get it out of the plastic bag for me to cuddle.  Silly me.  All is forgiven.

 Ava said, "I think this one's a hula hoop, Mom."

 Bingo!

For every blond Barbie you get you must counter it with a brunette one.  It's a rule in our house.  Glad Santa was paying attention.

Ava loves dressing up.  She often wears her princess dresses out and about.  I've thought of quashing her grandiose sense of style, but I figure you only get to be a little girl once.  Some days I still wish I could put on a tutu or a ball gown before I leave the house.  You know, just to make me feel special.  My sweats don't give me that feeling.  They usually give me the feeling that it sucks to not be able to fit back into your pre-pregnancy jeans.  Then I buy a Coke to wash down all the sadness.  Tangent.  Sorry.  Basically I wish I could buy a dress like this one.  I doubt she'll be wearing it to anywhere but church. 

 Ruby slippers to match.

 Third year on the Christmas list was the charm.  The Pillow Pet has landed.

I don't know why I didn't get a picture of her next to the easel after she opened it.  And yeah, she guessed what this one was too.  She writes things on it like, I love my mom, and then calls me into her room to show me her "surprise".  Gosh, she's sweet to me.  It was a very merry Christmas. 

Christmas Eve

Every Christmas Eve since we've moved to Salt Lake City, our lovely landlords have invited us to their Christmas Eve party.  It's where I was first introduced to sushi, for that one act alone, I will be eternally grateful to them.  I snapped a few pictures of the girls after we got home.

Ava with the wand the Bullens gave the few kids at the party.  Lora who has three sons has always made a fuss over Ava and each year she buys her a Christmas gift.  Ava got an art kit that she has hardly put down since she got it.  Bree got a board book and some bath toys.  Best landlords ever.

Ava played with Veronica and Ashlyn whom she sees the one time a year and yet they all get along great.  Last year I was recuperating from my c-section but they made up a plate for me and brought it down and I remember the food was wonderful.  This year on the menu was goose...for those who have never tasted it it tastes like greasy turkey.  Maybe that description doesn't make it seem that appetizing but it's really pretty good.  Also, salmon and prime rib.  Plus a great spread of side dishes. 

Brielle hung out with me and Brig while the other adults oohed and awed over her.  I admit I'm not super comfortable hobnobbing with people I don't know well, but it's so sweet of them to invite us, knowing none of our family live in the city. 

We were treated to an impromptu concert by a guest in attendance who according to his wife is a descendent of Brigham Young's.  That was followed by a group singing of Feliz Navidad with our lovely hostess doing the samba while her twenty-eight year old son tried to get her to stop embarrassing him.  Needless to say there was quite a lot of imbibing going on around us. 

 This is Ava's sugar overload face.  Plus it's Christmas Eve, what's a girl to do?

All that was left to do was get the girls in their jammies, read Luke 2 and put them to bed so Santa could come down the chimney.

Brielle's First Year

Unexpected you came into my life - a longed for wish that I had nearly given up on.  You changed everything.  You in black and white, a new heart beating on screen.  Mine.  You are my second daughter.  I know a thing or two about being a second daughter.  I hope you know I expect you to be nothing but yourself.  To love who you are, not in spite of how different you may be from your older sister, but because of your unique strengths that come with being different.  Already you are full of love.  Hugging sister when she is sad.  Patting my arm as you lean into my chest.  Lighting up when Dad walks through the door, arms outstretched to him, ready to be held.  I hope you never lose the guileless way you love without fear.  Few people retain the ability to love without holding anything back.  At night when I hold you when everyone else is sleeping the clarity and focus you bring to my life is like a razor's edge.  The complications of everyday melt away as your features turn soft in sleep.  All there is is your warm trusting body in my arms, your precious trusting soul in my care...it seems an overwhelming responsibility.  And yet here you are, a testament to hope, a banner for all the good in this world, brightness in an uncertain future.