Christmas 2010

 Our Christmas season started off great when Drew decided it was finally time to have a REAL christmas tree.  He bought this beautiful tree on base and we had a lot of fun decorating it.  I love the smell of fresh christmas trees.

I was able to finish Ella's stocking.  Mia helped me decide on the picture and my wonderful friend Deanna, embroidered Ella's name on it.

When the kids got out of school for the holiday break, we did a few activities, like the Children's museum, and saw the Christmas display at the Bellagio.  But the biggest hit was when we took them to see Santa.  

This is Cole's letter to Santa...

And Mia's....

To be honest, we weren't really even planning on seeing Santa, otherwise I would have brought my good camera with me, and made sure the kids looked adorable.  But alas, the kids were in regular old clothes and the photos were taken with my phone.  But it turned out fine. 

Little did she know she was about to be terrified by a bearded old man.

At first she seemed to do OK.

Not so much!

But the other three kids LOVED him!

CHRISTMAS EVE

We spent Christmas Eve with the Stuarts and Oldhams.  Amber hosted a wonderful ham dinner.  The kids loved it and so did I.  The company was perfect.  

Luke sat at the KIDDY Kid table with Carlee and Clara.

Cole and Mia sat at the regular kid table with the rest of the kids.  I wish I would have taken a photo of the adult table.  It was so beautiful.  

After dinner the kids acted out the nativity while Amber read the Christmas Story.  Cole was Joseph. Luke was a member of the audience.

 Mia was the shepherd.

 When we came back home the kids opened their traditional Christmas eve present... PAJAMAS!

 Christmas Morning was CRAZY.  Mia woke up way too early and had all her santa presents opened before anyone else was up.  Then she methodically woke up the rest of the family, starting with Cole.

 Luke was the last out of bed so we were able to see his excitement.

 The kids in their Christmas Jammies.

 Sweet Ella Bella!

 And OH what a mess.

Merry Christmas!