Merry Christmas!

Santa was very good to our girls this year. But that's probably because they've been little angels! Here's a peek at our Christmas morning.

Letters to Santa

The girls wrote letters to Santa a few nights ago. They both did a great job of expressing themselves through their writing! ;)

Rockin' Her New Sweater

Isabella absolutely loves this new sweater. She's worn it several times already and we only bought it last week. :)

New Vests

We went shopping last week at Old Navy and found these cute vests for the girls. They both love them and they are so warm and snuggly!

Cookies with Santa

Today was our neighborhood's "2nd Annual Cookies with Santa" day. The girls waited in line to sit on Santa's lap and talk to him about Christmas. They were great! They weren't afraid at all! Isabella sat right up on Santa's lap and Ione sat beside him. Kevin and I were so proud of them both. After visiting with Santa, the girls ate snacks and juice and got candy cane "tattoos" on their cheeks. Isabella even went back for a second visit because she said she forgot to tell him what she wanted for Christmas. Ione was even more excited about the inflatable Frosty the Snowman at the entrance though. She squealed when he waved his arms in the wind. And, oh, was it windy!

Reindeer and Elf

Willow has never made this face before! I wonder how she feels about the bells and antlers?

Willow and Zoe were TOTALLY in the Christmas spirit this afternoon!

Christmas in Mandeville

We celebrated Christmas in Mandeville with Pop, Ya-ya and Allie last weekend. Zack was studying hard for finals (first semester in college!) and wasn't able to join us. We had lots of fun. Ya-ya made gumbo and red beans and rice (my favorite!) Friday night. And Saturday night we ate at a delicious seafood restaurant. As we arrived, the sun was setting and Lake Pontchartrain looked beautiful. Isabella talked about that sunset for days! Ione and Isabella both ate a ton of crab meat. Isabella's favorite was the marinated crab claws that came in Ya-ya's seafood martini. Ione referred the Pop's lump crab meat. Both girls got wonderful gifts. Isabella got a faux fur princess wrap and an infrared remote control princess car! It's the coolest remote control car ever! Ione got an adorable frog prince bank, and Elmo Live. She LOVES Elmo!! So, needless to say she was ecstatic about her gifts too.

Lights!

Since we've been travelling so much lately, it's been really hard to find time to finish putting up all of our Christmas decorations. Yesterday, I was determined to get the outside lights set up and front door decorated. Unfortunately, a lost car key turned my day upside-down, so I didn't even start my project until about 4:30 yesterday afternoon. As soon as Isabella and I laid out the lights, it started to rain! UGH! Since a cold front was moving in, the temperature continued to drop rapidly. By the time I had the girls in bed, the rain had stopped, so I went out to get those darn lights up once and for all. It was now about 40 degrees, and the wind was insane! But, the lights are up and all the wiring is neat and easy to manage. I can't wait for the girls to see them tonight. I think they will be really excited!

Christmas Spirit

Our Christmas Tree

Christmas Ornament

Advent Tree Ornaments

Angel by the Fireplace

Butterfly Ornament

Mantle

Mommy & Daddy's Stockings

Isabella & Ione's Stockings

The Girls' Little Christmas Tree

Whimsical Little Santa

Traditional Santa

Our New Tree Topper

The Nutcracker

We've spent the past few days decorating for Christmas. Isabella and Ione put ornaments on their Christmas tree by the front door. We decided on pink lights for the girls' tree this year, and it looks beautiful! Isabella did a wonderful job hanging ornaments (even if they are all on the bottom two branches!) We also set up the little advent tree in the dining room. Nonni gave it to Isabella when she was a baby. Every day she adds an ornament to the tree until she puts the topper on it on Christmas Eve. Ione can't help yet, because all the ornaments are breakable. We also decked out the mantle with poinsettias, garland, lights, stockings and three wooden wise men. The weather has been nice and cold, so we've also had a fire in the fireplace every morning. It's been wonderful! In the breakfast area, we set up our big, family Christmas tree. After fighting with the lights, it actually was fully decorated pretty quickly. We added a new angel on top this year. Isabella helped pick her out, and she is beautiful. Next to the Christmas tree, the girls have their nativity set (from Grandmaman) laid out. Right next to it is their favorite "decoration" so far...the little wooden house with candy in it. It's another advent calendar with 2 square Dove chocolates in each door. I also posted some photos of other random Christmas decorations, like our little santas and nutcracker.

Hopefully, I will get some Christmas pictures of the girls soon and I can post them here.

Cousins

Gavin and Ione were eating satsumas from Nonni's tree. When Gavin tried to kiss Ione, she dodged him every time. They sure are a cute pair though! :)