Christmas 2016

This year, Christmas had it's ups and downs.  The ups were just enjoying the Christmas season looking through the eyes of a 1 and 2 1/2 year old, being with family, and (eventually) enjoying good food and fun.  The downs were a nasty stomach virus taking us all out. Literally, every single one of us, including Mimi, Pops, and Tia (somehow Dani Leigh managed to escape the craziness, and Uncle G was in Costa Rica the entire time)! For almost 2 weeks (since we all didn't get it at the exact same time). Major bummer.

Either way, we still managed to celebrate, on our own as we were quarantined over actual Christmas, and then again with everyone for our "Christmas New Years" weekend. 

On the real Christmas day, we woke up still not feeling well, but wanted to make the most of the day. We stayed in jammies, went downstairs to turn on the Christmas parade, and just relaxed. The day was filled with saltine crackers and bread, lots of Christmas movies, and chillin' to the max.  We let Isabella open one present which was a HUGE hit! Despite her never even watching the movie, Frozen, she loves all the songs and has fallen in love with Olaf. So she opened a pillow pet Olaf with a projector and she immediately hugged it, and said "I love Olaf. You're my friend." And then she was inseparable with it for the next week or so!  She loves to sleep with it, and I must say it's a win win because on mornings she wakes up early, he certainly keeps her preoccupied with the projector!

We then decided we all needed to get out of the house for some fresh air. We went to Suwanee Town Center and just walked around, let the girls have a picnic dinner, and run off some energy.  It was nice to be outside in t-shirts in the middle of December (still, after 2 1/2 years, this amazes me!), and being able to look at all the Christmas lights on display.

The next weekend, we celebrated Christmas Lerma/Vega/Allard style and had an appetizer and movie night on Christmas Eve.  Christmas Day was once again pretty laid back and we ate a yummy brunch, played cards, watched Elf, opened a TON of presents (despite previously agreeing to only get the girls 1 things each!), and capped the evening off with an incredible prime rib dinner.  

I must say the holidays felt so much more festive and fun than they have in awhile. The girls were just at such a fun age where they started to understand what Christmas is, and were in amazement of all the lights and things that go along with Christmas. It flew by, but I am learning that this phase of life just does that.  Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!