Merry Christmas!

I cannot believe that it's Kennedy's first Christmas.  WHERE has the past year gone?  Last year at this time, my husband and I were on the couch, watching Christmas movies, and talking about how much different this Christmas would be.  And boy is it.  This year, we're watching Christmas movies, and frantically wrapping the last 20 gifts, after a day full of activities (and wrapping.)  Fortunately Kennedy is still young enough that she can sit and play while wrapping is going on, and she has no idea.  In fact, she was happy to help.

We are so blessed this Christmas.  We have an amazing little girl.  She's happy and healthy, and I truly could not ask for more.  We've endured challenges and fears over the past 10 months, that we never thought we would face in a lifetime.  It made the start of all the Christmas traditions with Kennedy that much more special.  Seeing her face light up each time the Christmas lights are turned on makes me want to keep them up all year.  As she gets older, and we continue to add to our family, I'm sure that we will continue to add new activities and traditions to the holidays. 

Amidst the craziness of the day, Kennedy and I took some time to bake cookies.  Kennedy (safely) sat on the island, and helped.  Today was the first time I realized just how thankful I am for a big kitchen.  Kennedy had a great time - she played with the rolling pin, the cookie cutters, the sprinkles, grabbed clumps of dough, and got into the canister of flower.  I hope Santa doesn't mind that she was chewing on the cookie cutters in between me using them.  I really did mean to wash them.  But in between trying to prevent her from throwing flour everywhere and from diving off the counter, I *may* have forgotten.

No mom, I wasn't eating the paper.

Okay, maybe I was.

It doesn't taste THAT great.  But it's fun.

Daddy you are so silly.

Let the baking begin!

I'm going to check out the cookie cutters mom.

Let me help you roll the dough out.

This is pretty yummy mom.

Do you need more flour mom?

Can we make cookies again next week?

And Miss Amanda says I don't use my hands enough.  If she could only see me now.  I just don't do it for her.

If I bite this long enough, I bet I'll get the top open.

Santa's coming!  Santa's coming!

I can't take it anymore!  Is he here yet?

Mom, why can't I have cookies more often?

This is really yummy.

Can I have more?

No mom, I'm not tired yet.

I'm gonna stay awake until Santa comes.

Well, she didn't quite make it until Santa came.  But she stayed up to read The Night Before Christmas, and she's tucked in bed with her Christmas pajamas on.  Most of the gifts have now been placed under the tree.  Santa may or may not have gone overboard this year.  Next year, we'll be doing this for Kennedy AND her little sister or brother.  I can only imagine that it will be twice the fun with two little ones.  And uhh...we may need to think about moving Christmas to a bigger room by the looks of the tree.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of my readers and their families!  I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday.