Christmas Day and night

Christmas morning after we played with our toys for a while, we headed to Pop Pop's house for breakfast.  I didn't take many pictures for some reason.  A few of Riley's Aunts and cousins always come and we have quite a breakfast spread.  It was such a messy day on Christmas.  Once we got back, we played some more and watched movies and the girls went down for a nap.  That night we made a pizza.  

She got an Ariel dress for Christmas and Granna got her
a "magic wand" that she absolutely loves!! 

I love having a helper in the kitchen!
Can't wait until AK can join in the fun!

Our Yummy pizza!  We even made use of some of the
leftover ham! :)

Christmas Morning

Santa came and the girls were so excited...well after Anna Riley was just a little dramatic over Santa eating ALL the cookies/milk!!  Thank goodness Santa left both girls a giant cookie in their stockings!  All of the toys from here on out are really meant for the both of them since they are so close in age.  We did get a few separate things but the majority of everything they got was accessories for their kitchen.  Anna Riley got a scooter and Ava Kate got a new ride-on push toy since the one we had was old and needed to be replaced.
They cooked on their new kitchen all morning.  When we got home from breakfast at Pop Pop's, we put it in the playroom and set up the grocery stand.  The girls were entertained for hours...I won't lie, Riley and I had just as much fun!
 

 

 

Twas the night before Christmas

When Anna Riley was born, we started a few of our own family traditions on Christmas eve. 

After the Christmas eve service at church, we come home to get ready for Santa.  We always wait until Christmas Eve night to put our new ornaments for the year on the tree.  Anna Riley was so excited about this part this year.  Her ornament was a ballernia since she started ballet this year.  I couldn't decide on what do do for Ava Kate's this year so we ended up with a Minnie Mouse one for her.  

On Christmas Eve, we also read two stories.  I do the fun stuff with Santa but I do want the girls to know the reason why we celebrate and so we have always read the true story also.  I found a wonderful book to read this year, The True Night Before Christmas.  We read our books and got our cookies and milk ready for Santa.

 

Anna Riley has been so excited about Santa this year.  She loved him and loved anytime we would see him.  We have watched Polar Express once maybe twice but read the book several times.  But, once we put her to bed, she had a meltdown.  She kept telling us she didn't want to go to the North Pole with him and she didn't want to ride with him or the reindeer.  I think it just finally set in that someone might come to her house in the middle of the night.  But, as I told Riley, if you think about it, a man coming on a train in the middle of the night to get you and take you far away is somewhat frightening!  It took us from 8:00 until after 10:00 to get her settled and calm down enough to go to sleep poor thing! 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve at Granna and PawPaws

On Christmas Eve, we went to my Parent's house in Berry for lunch and presents.   The girls had a blast opening up the presents. They got lots of things but some of the favorites were Anna Riley's cash register she has been wanting,  the doll cradle for both of them, and the Swimming Little Mermaid doll and her guitar.  Ava Kate loved her counting phone and grocery scanner,  and her musical instruments.  They also got the movie Cinderella which made Mommy really happy! :)

 

 

AR has to ride the 4wheeler and golfcart if we are in Berry!

The girls' had so much fun opening their presnets. Anna Riley
got her cash register she wanted so bad! 

 

After the girls had naps, we got ready to we could head straight to the Christmas Eve service at our church in Tuscaloosa.  That is always my favorite service for so many reasons.  It brings tears to my eyes each year. 

Hollyhand Christmas

On Sunday, we celebrated at Riley's Dad's house.  The kids always have so much fun playing together and of course they love opening all the presents!

All the cousins:
Ava Kate, Duncan, Brilyn, Ainslee, Anna Riley

Pop Pop with the 5 grandchildren

Brian (Riley's brother), Leigh,
Ainslee and Brilyn

Amanda (Riley's sister), Wesley and Duncan



*click to make bigger*



Anna Riley and Ainslee both got the My Generation horses so they were excited!  Anna Riley also got a Cinderella clock and Ava Kate got a little cash register, Little people car and the FP Laugh and Learn mirror .  They got a grocery stand and money from Pop Pop.

 

 

Earnest Christmas

We always have our extended Earnest family Christmas on the Saturday before Christmas.  My cousin Janet hosted it at her house in Samantha.  We have manly appetizers and desserts (my two favorites!!)  It is always so great to see my cousins and their kids.  Anna Riley had so much fun she did not want to leave. 

 

Granna and some of the kids playing a game.

This was the hot spot for the kids!  They all piled on the
bed and took turns playing the Wii!