Christmas Day '09

Christmas morning was so much fun! This was our sweet girl just waking up and making her way out to the living room. I know she thought we were crazy because there were 7 of us sitting in the living room waiting for her to wake up with cameras and video cameras. Repeat after me: Only grandchild. Okay, now you understand.


This awesome dollhouse was her big present waiting for her Christmas morning from Santa (Heath's family).


Ella getting excited after she spent some time waking up.


Opening up her stocking.


Sponge Bob Tattoos. Yes, my little dainty girl is CRAZY about Sponge Bob. This was one of her ideas, not mine.


All of her stocking stuffers. Can you see a theme?






Ella getting sweet lovings from her Great Granddad.


Silly time with cousin Jerrod. This is an example of the amazingly fun time we had hanging out with family.


Some morning loving from my Uncle Jim.


My cousin Tiffany made this blanket for Ella. Is it not the cutest thing ever? She is still loving it.




Every year, instead of buying the aunts and grandmas a gift from Ella (because I can't afford that) I make them something Ellaish. This year I decided on journals and wrote a note on the front page just telling them how much they mean to Ella's life.








This is what one of them looked like.


This was the much anticipated gift. Ella for months had been asking for "the puppy that swims and walks". She saw it on a commercial and wanted it so badly. So we couldn't wait for her to open it.




She was very excited and even slept with it that night.




Getting some loving from Aunt Michelle & Uncle Bradley.


Can you tell she was excited about her new headband from her Aunt Ashley?




And of course the Dora nightgown was a huge hit.


Heath asked for boots for Christmas. I thought these would be perfect for him.


More family silly time. Wrestling with Uncle Arthur. A few weeks after Christmas, my Uncle Arthur and Aunt Sandy moved to Singapore. It was a very sad goodbye. I think this is one reason I treasured this Christmas so much with family. I was just really trying to soak all the time in.






Ella and her sweet cousins, Zach & Ethan. Always having fun together.


I am so thankful for the Christmas we had this year. I just feel like we all were focused on spending time with each other and making some great memories. It has gone down as one of my favorite Christmases.