Happy New Year 2017!

Today is the first day back to school and work, which means it is also the first day that I've had a quiet house in which to sit down and post the rest of our holiday pictures.   We had a wonderful Christmas, full of giddy excitement over presents, delicious food, and lots of family memories.   Here are all the highlights......

Last year I decided to make homemade cinnamon rolls a part of our Christmas tradition.   This year, both girls were old enough to help and they loved it.

Even better than play doh really!

Making the dough is an all day process, but once you are to this step, you are almost there!

The girls helped me deliver the finished product to all of our neighbors.   So much fun!

The girls and I spent one morning at the mall.   We saw the giant tree and caught a glimpse of Santa too.

Christmas Eve was rainy and gray so we stayed in our pjs all morning and even got to open a couple of presents.

Per our tradition, the girls opened new matching pjs to wear on Christmas morning.   They insisted on trying them out right away though.   

And then we spent the afternoon cooking.

 

And playing with the gifts from Clara Kate and Jack.

And rolling out sausage balls.    Then it was time for church.   This was the first year Susannah was old enough to be with us and really understand.   Watching her hold her little candle and sing "Silent Night" almost brought me to the point of an ugly cry.   ;)    After church we went over to our neighbor's place for some soup and champagne.   

Then it was time to put out snacks for Santa.   Susannah made him her world famous gold-fish cheese sandwiches.   And we left some apple slices for the reindeer.   

Santa came through in a big way.  

This is the obligatory picture on the stairs before its time to run and see what Santa left.

The girls were beside themselves.   If I could figure out how to post a video successfully, I would show you.   But since I can't, here are the pictures.

They each had there very own tic-tacs in their stockings.   And hand sanitizer that hangs from their book bags.  This is apparently what all the cool kindergartners have.  ;)   

Susannah made cards for Peter and me and she was so excited to give them to us.

And she wrapped up this snowflake she made at school for Sarah Avery.    We spent the day playing and eating and packing for our big trek to Tennessee the next morning.    It was a journey, but we survived.   

And getting to celebrate Christmas with grandparents made the 8.5 hours in the cramped car totally worth it!

Grammy came through with this blanket

and fleece that the girls loved.

Thanks Grammy for all the wonderful gifts!!

Another exciting part of being in Tennessee was meeting our newest cousin, AJ!   

The three great grandchildren.

The sweetest.

Since Meadow was with us this trip and needed to be walked, we spent even more time at the park by Grammy's house.  

The weather cooperated for the most part and we all enjoyed the fresh air at the playground.

Its amazing how much the girls had changed just since we were last here in July.   

Grammy was kind enough to keep the girls so Peter and I could have a date night.   We met my one of my oldest and best friends downtown for dinner and drinks.   We stayed out way too late and had a blast!   Thanks Lyndsey and Nick!  And Grammy!

One day the playground was too wet so we walked on the green-way instead.

Susannah is such a good big sister.   She has even been helping us with potty training!

How did I get so lucky?

Randomly, a photographer who was doing an engagement shoot at the park asked to take pictures of Meadow.   

He texted Peter these shots.   The drive was hard on her hips but she was a trooper as always. 

And these three were so happy to get to spend the week together.   SA called her "grimmy".  

Sweet Memories.

And now we are back to our routine.   Headed to the doctor and a Daisy troop meeting this afternoon.   We hope all of you are having happy and healthy starts to 2017.   Love and hugs from Alexandria!