Arizona Christmas

When we left Arizona to head to California we left our tree looking like this...

 and when we returned home after a few days with Grandma and Grandpa, we found this!

Santa definitely didn't forget that we were away and visited our house too!  He even left some messy footprints for Mommy to clean up! ;)  That's okay Santa, this is the exact reason I invested in a dirt buster!

Even though it was quite late, the kiddos couldn't go to bed without opening the gifts Santa had left under their own tree.  Roxy too!!

First we opened stockings...

 And then the gifts!!

 As you can tell we were pooped out from our long drive!  The girls were excited to open their gifts but the fun didn't really set in until the next day.

 Phew,  2 Christmas' down, 1 to go…we still have to visit Nana and Papa! We'll save those pics for another day!

California Christmas

It was a very special Christmas but there was a void in each of our hearts this year.  I have not yet mentioned the loss of our Gram in November.  We were so blessed this holiday in being happy and healthy but we were missing our Gram.  We miss her so much and her memories will be with us always!

The first present we had my parents open was a scrapbook of family photos for us to all remember, it was so great to see them recall fun times and memories with their grand children.

Then the mayhem began!!!

Emery found her place on the coffee table, probably because most of the presents were piled taller than her!

Uncle Nathan got a cool new camera for when he surfs and snowboards!  We can't wait to see your cool videos!

Grandma got a framed family picture from our wedding.

Akira was given the ultimate surprise from Grandma and Grandpa…an iPod!!

(She has now officially enrolled in the talent show because she can practice the song she is singing with her iPod, Adelle, over and over and over and over again!).

More gifts….

 And lots of LOVE!  

Emery got a new kitchen and table from Grandma and Grandpa, something she loves to play at school!!  Now she has her own! 

All present opening was put on hold to put these together, she just couldn't wait!

And yes, my 11 year old brother went into Victoria's Secret all by himself to get his sister a gift card!  He's so sweet!

 Christmas 2012 was very special.  All the traditions that I grew up with are being passed down to my children and it was so fun to watch.  My parents are the best grandparents and my brothers are perfect uncles for their nieces!  The love is around us and we are so lucky to be a family!  We miss you Gram but you are always with us!!

Christmas Eve Festivities

 Our Christmas Eve started off like this…dogs and all!

We made our road trip to Grandma and Grandpa's the night before to be able to enjoy family time on Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Emery sure has improved in her present opening skills since last year.  Sissy stood by for reinforcement just in case, but she had no trouble (she also opened some of grandma's wrapped presents under the tree, oops!)

The girls got matching feet pajamas and put them on quickly so we could complete our Christmas Eve traditions, hot cocoa and a car ride bundled up to look at Christmas lights.

Uncle Griffin and Nathan got cozy in their pajamas too!

 Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for making Christmas Eve so fun!

Family pics on our way out the door to look at lights…

Both girls were passed out in the car before we could make it nearly two blocks (and I forgot my camera to document :( ) but we enjoyed our cocoa and the quiet before having to return home to play Santa!