Christmas 2012

It was Sam Nolan's first time at Memaw's Christmas Eve celebration. It was also his first time to use a ride on to walk. He loved the Thomas Train he got from LB and Mike!

Trying to walk one-handed...show off. :)

I think it's safe to say this was a "princess Christmas" for Delaney. I don't believe there was any princess left off this year. She received her Rapunzel doll from LB and Mike!!

 Playing Santa with everyone's gifts. She opened her Princess kit, books, and Dreamlite from KK and Pete, fun toys and clothes from Nannie and Pop! Her expressions were so cute. She said, "Awww.. I love it! Oh my goodness!"

 

She also got a Cinderella doll from Memaw! She was in heaven!

When we got home we made cookies for Santa.

This is the milk mug for Santa that has Sam Nolan's feet on it. I absolutely love that it matches the plate Delaney had made.

Sam Nolan didn't care one bit about Santa eating cookies. He needed to taste test what Delaney had made first.

Cookie Monster. :)

Santa came and I was able to take a few shots before I became very sick with the stomach bug on Christmas Day. (Eric and Delaney had previously had it the days before)

Sam Nolan's side. His favorite Santa toy: the Weeble Wobble treehouse toy and the blocks table.

A little bit of Delaney's side.

Hanging on the tree were Belle, Little Mermaid, Snow White, and Merida dresses.

We had to try them on!

I didn't get many pictures during the fun, but we took videos of both of them waking up and seeing their surprises. Absolutely the best! Later, Nana and Granddaddy came over and gave them a train table, clothes, Pocahontas doll, and Doc McStuffins doll! At the end of the day, the major downside to being sick on Christmas is not getting to organize and go through the new toys. I was very overwhelmed with this picture in our den. But the kids were loving it! :)

Delaney's program at JCA was wonderful! She was such a star.

 Got some good action shots. "He know when you're AWAKE!"

 "Must be SAnta!"

 "SANta!!" She was very loud and clear about that.

 We were so proud of her and all that she has learned. My favorite moments in life are the ones where you are in a moment of pure and unexplainable joy for your child. Beaming proud. This was one of them. :)

 After the program she talked with Santa.

I am in a little bit of denial about Sam Nolan turning 11 months old this month.

 At 11 months, he is eating EVERYTHING! He doesn't turn down anything and will eat until you run out of food to give him. He has the funniest scoot and his left leg feels a little like sand paper because it stays on the floor while the other leg raises up to move. It looks a little like a frog with a limp. :)

 He likes to dance when we turn on music he likes. He thinks it's funny when he puts his pointer in our mouth like we're going to eat it, and he DOESN'T ever want to be left to play on the floor by himself. Spoiled maybe??! Both of our babies were like that at this age, so I'm guessing it's not just them.

 Someone likes to laugh, too.

 At the Roberts' Christmas dinner, Nana and Granddaddy bought Sam Nolan and Delaney cute little desks with their names on it. Sam Nolan also got his first truck!

 Delaney LOVED using her desk for her "work".

 Happy babies!

We have had many conversations with Delaney during the Christmas season. We don't want her to lose sight of what Christmas is all about.  Last night on the way back from Nana and Grandaddy's she told us that we need "to make sure the poor people have presents." It was a sweet reminder to us that we are truly blessed and how His plan has taught us so much. What amazing gifts we have to hear words like this from our own child?! We should remember to have childlike-kind hearts and a loving spirit throughout our years on Earth.

They have had the best time playing. Sam Nolan is finally old enough to scoot around, play with toys, and most of all play with Delaney.

When I write play, I really mean tolerate her funny girly games. I'm pretty positive the girly games won't last too long, but I do know they sure do love each other. I love these pj pictures because it captures a moment that sums up their relationship perfectly.

He is in total awe of her.

A big milestone for Sam Nolan is the beginning of his walking adventures. He is not as big of a talker as Delaney (that's an understatement!), but he is definitely more physical than she was at this age.  He turns 11 months old today! :)

One of our most favorite things to do during the Christmas season is to join our buddies for some much needed catch-up time at "Breakfast with Santa". This was the first year it was held at California Pizza Kitchen, so it was breakfast pizza for everyone and a craft table with laminated bookmarks.

Delaney and Ashlyn

Sam Nolan did not like Santa...of course.

But this little girl did!! She hopped on his lap and began telling him what she wanted. Ariel doll!

This is how it looked for second.

This was so funny to me. Delaney and Santa just a laughing, and Sam Nolan does not see the humor!

Sam Nolan is such a funny boy. When mommy and daddy can't get to a bottle, he makes it happen anyway. He looked in the bag and this is what happened next.

Face of a guilty little boy. But sooo cute. :)