Holidays 2016- Part 2

We had a lovely Christmas celebration! Here are some of the highlights in photos.

We got things started on Christmas Eve day with a cookie baking extravaganza. Iyla and I made batches of gingerbread, sugar, and chocolate chip cookies- she helped the ENTIRE time! She loves to bake with me, which is so sweet. Here we are modeling a tray of our gingerbread men:

Before bed, I told Iyla that it was time to leave a note for Santa. Here's what she wanted her note to say:

She picked out a special cookie and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer before heading up to bed:

I told Iyla that Santa only came when children were asleep, and with that she squeezed her eyes shut tight and said "I'm sleeping!" She was so excited.

I used a special "Catch Santa" app to record the big guy's visit to our home.

Before

After!

This was the scene that awaited Iyla upon waking:

She was so excited that Santa delivered on her new Rudolph stuffy toy!

Then it was time to get down to some serious present opening business. Iyla was so cute- the first couple of presents she opened she wanted to take out and play with for extended periods. It wasn't until an hour or two in that she got the memo that she could open ALL OF THE PRESENTS! Then it was like wildfire to unearth the rest of her loot.

While she opened gifts Eloise played it cool on the rug:

Iyla's doctor outfit & medical kit were a big hit. Here, she gives Rudolph a checkup:

I caught her in mid sentence explaining that he had a "hurt heart." That face!

She then proceeded to rock out with her new ukulele- an Austin girl through and through!

Eloise enjoyed new toys from Grandma:

And then of course I had to make the girls pose for some photos in their darling matching Christmas pajamas:

That afternoon it was time for a costume change, as we were hosting my family for Christmas Day dinner. Our dear friend Andy joined us, and he was kind enough to volunteer to cook up a Christmas feast for us all! It was incredible, complete with a roast chicken, ham, potatoes, carrots, peas, and brussels sprouts.

Andy's sister Sarah sent over some English cracker gifts for our table settings, which were a big hit!

Here, a couple cute photos of the girls and I. The 2nd shot is totally indicative of their personalities!

Iyla was quickly over the photo shoot- her faces are the best:

BC made my cousin Heather a Hankie the Christmas poo cookie (ew):

And Eloise was loved on by everyone:

Here was our best attempt at getting a shot of Iyla and Eloise with 2nd cousin Sammy:

And a few last photos of our Christmas Day festivities:

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Holidays 2016- Part 1

We've been having so much fun celebrating the Holiday season! At 4 years old, Iyla is at such a great age to really be excited about EVERYTHING having to do with Christmas.

The first stop on our Holiday extravaganza was meeting Santa Claus at our beloved Driskill Hotel. The girls were absolutely adorable in their fancy red dresses:

Iyla had some slight hesitation upon first approaching Santa, but warmed up quickly. When asked what she wanted this year, she replied: "another Rudolph stuffy (stuffed) toy!" She already has one, and I must say finding another that was DIFFERENT has been a creative challenge. On my 3rd attempt from Amazon.com I finally have what I hope will work for Christmas morning!

Eloise wasn't scared at all- just very fascinated by Santa, staring at him in awe between nibbling on her hands:

And the official photo with both girls- ha!

 Here Iyla was declaring "I love the Driskill!" Us too, sweet girl!

Then it was off to my company holiday party. Here, a shot of all the Juice Homes kiddos:

Iyla's school had a Holiday potluck lunch on their last day before break, and the kids got to put on a little show for the parents. It was adorable, and Iyla totally rocked the choreography! Here is a short snippet:

 It was also pajama day!

BC and I were able to get a luxurious date night out for a friend's wedding, while my Aunt Sheri and Uncle Vince watched the girls. I lasted all the way until 9pm! ; )

Then it was gingerbread house making time! As we began Iyla exclaimed to me: "I've never made a gingerbread house before!" (Um, yes you have sweet girl- this is your 3rd year! And possibly the first year where you might actually remember the experience).

There was much candy and frosting tasting going on as Iyla designed her house:

I got myself and the girls matching aprons this year for our Holiday cooking extravaganza. So cute!

Santa made some early stops at our house with his reindeer. Iyla has been having a blast "wrapping" her toys presents for us and delivering them with her Santa hat & trusty sidekick Sven:

And here, Santa's sleigh:

Then we were off for Christmas #1 in Houston! Happily both girls snoozed for most of the 2.5 hour drive there:

We took our traditional photos in front of Mimi and Grampy's fireplace. I LOVE this series with both girls- so adorable! You can get a glimpse of Eloise's jolly personality from the photos:

 "You're letting Iyla hold me ALL BY HERSELF?"

 And this is what happens when you ask your dad to take a family photo of you with your iPhone:

 Happily he did better with his own camera and sent me the photos!

 Being silly with his new cookware set

Family photo (minus the photographer, my dad):

And for dessert, chocolate pie bliss:

When we returned to town I ran a brief errand to the chiropractor, and Iyla promptly passed out in the backseat. She was happily exhausted from all of our adventures!

She then went to work on her computer:

 And headed out to a special dinner with her Papa:

While Eloise tried out the jumping seat I pulled out of storage:

Then it was time for our annual family trip to Austin's Trail of Lights! We lucked out with a gorgeous 60 degree day (after rescheduling our tickets from the previous Sunday's 20 some degree cold front!).

Not pictured: the fact that my groin/pubic muscle kept pulling severely during our walk, to the point where I finally had to get into the double stroller next to Iyla- Eloise still strapped to me- and BC had to push us all the mile or so walk back to the car. Oy.

In closing, I bring you Rudolph taking a snooze next to our bed (courtesy of Iyla Grace), getting his beauty sleep with my eye mask.

Rest up little guy- tomorrow's the BIG DAY!