Still "Christmas-ing"!!

Pictures to come...blogger's not cooperating today. :)

We are not finished with Christmas, but I thought I would blog a little, so it's not quite so overwhelming next week. :) We have two more celebrations this weekend before we can call the holiday season complete....and Kendyll is loving the fact that there is more Christmas to come! She is not quite ready to say goodbye to the holidays this year.

We've had a wonderful Christmas, as usual, and have spent time with so many of our family members, which is such a blessing. This year, I just kept thinking over and over about those families I know who are without someone they love this year, and I would stop right there and thank God for my family. They are all so wonderful and are what these Christmas memories are all about.

Kendyll and Carlie had a great Christmas week, full of fun surprises from all kinds of people...many presents that were on their "wish list" and a few that weren't that they LOVE! We also had time to do some of the traditions that have already come to mean so much to our little family over the last few years. Those are the little things that make me excited for years and years to come of making traditions last, as our kids grow. From Christmas Eve church together to our Christmas morning breakfast, I found myself extra emotional watching our sweet children this year. (maybe it's the pregnancy hormones or just the idea of knowing that our family will be expanded next year....)

One of the highlights of this Christmas as parents was watching the joy of Christmas morning in our children. We really try hard to make sure they know the true reason for celebrating, and we spent time talking about Jesus and what an amazing gift He is to us. Kendyll said the sweetest prayer I've ever heard her say at Christmas breakfast, and it made it all worth it to me. We also enjoyed watching their surprised faces as they experienced Santa this year (probably because Santa and his LARGE team of helpers worked really hard on their presents!! Thank you Grandad, Cassie, and Austin for being a part. :)

Their Santa gift this year was a "new room" to share as sisters. Santa went WAY further than either Kendyll or Carlie expected and gave them a true ballerina mirror and stage to dance on, as well as new beds and bedding, new vanity mirrors, and some little playthings for each of them. Truly, Santa knew exactly what each girl would love in a new room, and they have spent hours and hours playing there already.

The first night they slept together was precious. Kendyll read Carlie stories, then we all had our bedtime devo time, and then we shut the door and said goodnight. After that, we heard them giggling, talking, and eventually singing "night night" songs together. ALthough we did try to discipline them at some points, we just enjoyed hearing what will hopefully be years and years of "sister-time" after the lights are out and the parents are gone. I remember many of those days myself (which is why I wanted them to share a room!), and I'm so glad that Santa gave them a gift like this.

I will be back with more updates, but I've probably talked long enough for this entry. We hope you each had a fabulous holiday with lots of family memories made.