Christmas Eve

We had an amazing Christmas weekend with our two little angels! We had so much fun making special cookies to leave out for Santa. On Christmas Eve, we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast, then spent the day hanging out at home before heading out in the rain for Children's Mass that evening. Because of the bad weather, we cancelled our dinner reservations so we wouldn't have to take Ella out in the cold. Instead, we came on home after church and had dinner here then got ready for bed early so that Santa would come : )

Lia making cookies for Santa while Ella watches happily


Daddy and Mama helping Lia make cookies


Setting out milk and special snowman cookies for Santa


Ella and Lia all ready for Christmas Eve mass

Early Christmas

This morning, Keri stopped by with Sage and Avery for the kids to exchange Christmas presents. They had fun unwrapping gifts. Lia really likes the new puppy dog Sage gave her : ) Thanks to the DesAutels for our gifts!

Avery, Lia and Sage with their presents

Avery checking out Lia's present

Lia playing with her new dog "Trixie"

Last weekend, my mom, dad and brother were in town to celebrate Christmas with us early. We had so much fun spending time with them. We went out to dinner at Perry's one night and Philip grilled some delicious steaks for us the next night. The girls got so many great presents too! Uncle Cliff gave Lia her very own sleeping bag, which she thinks is really cool. Mimi and Grandaddy gave her a camera, a new doll that she named Baby Lila, a hair doing set that she hasn't put down since she opened it! Ella got an engraved silver cup, a Waterford bud vase, clothes and books. Thank you Mimi, Grandaddy and Uncle Cliff for all the wonderful gifts you gave the girls and also for everything you got for me and Philip. We had such a great time celebrating with you!!

Lia getting in her new sleeping bag

Watching a DVD with Uncle Cliff

Ella loves her Grandaddy already!

Opening presents with Mimi

Lately...

I captured this cute moment on my phone the other day. Ella loves to look a Lia and just grin so big!! It is really adorable seeing my two girls getting to know each other : )

I came out of my room the other night to find this - Lia had gotten herself "all dressed up" to go look at the Christmas lights in our neighborhood. She looked hilarious! Of course, no outfit would be complete without all her accessories - hat, sunglasses, necklace and a purse full of stuff.

Daddy let her "drive" the car around to look at all the Christmas lights. She had a blast!


Lia and Ella playing on the activity mat

Ella at 4 weeks

This post is a little late, but I didn't want to forget it. Here is a photo of Ella at 4 weeks old. She weighs 8 lbs 10 oz. She is starting to smile at me when I say "I Love You!" She is eating every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. We are so happy to have another healthy daughter! Our family has a totally different dynamic now that we are 4 instead of only 3, and I can't imagine life without my precious Ella!!
Here is a photo of Lia at 4 weeks for comparison:

Photos of our Christmas decorations

Meeting Santa 2011

Well folks, here it is, the best photo we were able to get with Santa. After a week of excitement and anticipation, Lia was all ready to meet Santa last night and even had a list of questions prepared to ask him (What kind of cookies does he like and does Rudolph want big or little carrots.) When we got there, she couldn't wait for it to be her turn. Then, as soon as she got in his lap, she promptly began to boo hoo! Santa was very patient (although he does look a bit perplexed in the photo) and tried to calm her down to no avail. Finally, I came and picked her up and through tears, she first asked for a kleenex then told me that I needed to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas (an easel) and she was ready to go home. Oh well, it will be a funny keepsake for years to come : )

Ella with Nana and Papa

Cliff sent me a few more photos from the hospital. Here are some great ones of Ella with Nana and Papa...