Santa was here!

Hadley is still a little too young to understand Christmas and the excitement of Santa Clause.  We had to wake her up this morning so that we could open presents.  When we put her to bed last night, Austin made the comment that this is the last Christmas Eve that we will get to go to bed and wake up without the squealing excitement of a little girl!  How right he is, but we wouldn't have it any other way.

When I was growing up, Santa did not wrap presents, he simply put them under the tree.  However, Santa wrapped presents at Austin's house, so this topic is still under debate in the Allen household.  Due to loss of time, Santa did not wrap presents this year...that does not mean the decision has been made!  The only wrapped presents were the ones from Austin and me.

 Hadley seeing the tree for the first time Christmas morning...

 She just realized that there are toys underneath the tree...

Obviously she was excited about the puzzle!

We tried out her new sled in the house.

Opening a present with mommy...

...and opening one with daddy.

 She liked her Elmo video so much that she hugged it!

 As you can see, the doll was a big hit!

She just realized that her baby talks and bounces up and down!

 Big yawn!  I guess we woke her up too early.

 Austin opening one of his presents from me... 

...and me opening a present from Austin.

Merry Christmas Day! 

Wise Family Christmas Eve

While growing up, every Christmas Eve was spent at my Grandpa and Grandma Wise's house.  Oh the fun of spending the evening eating the annual chili and oyster soup, playing games w/ the anticipation of Santa looming in the house and then rushing to find space in the living room to fit most of us 16 grandkids while opening presents!  Since the passing of my grandparent's however, those Christmas Eve's are no longer.  Austin, Hadley and I now host the evening at our house w/ just my dad's kids/grandkids.  While for me, Christmas Eve will never be the same, it's important to build that kind of tradition and memory for Hadley.

For those of you that know anything about me, you know that I LOVE to plan and throw parties.  I was very excited about my disposable Christmas dishes this year! 

My sister made her traditional Chrismas candy, which we all enjoyed as our yummy desserts! 

We had our traditional Christmas music playing on the TV...rock on John Denver!

This year for Christmas my dad decided to give all of us a very special present.  He rented an oceanfront house in the Outerbanks of North Carolina for one week in May.  It has a private pool and we each get our own bedroom w/ private bath.  We are very excited!  Below is the house... 

 

Even though the vacation was supposed to be our present, dad pulled in the drive tonight with a truck full of presents just like Santa Clause with his sleigh!

 The girls got lounge chairs, and they love them!

Austin showing off his sweet brown towel to bring on vacation.  Dad said he tried to find beach towels, but apparently it's not the season to buy?

The newly engaged John and Melissa! 

Julianna helping Hadley open a present...

My sister and her family opening presents...

 Hadley fell a little behind in her present opening!

 Dad checking out his book about Historic American Guns...

 Julianna hanging out with her new doll.

 Check out the little hands reaching up at Gabe in his Transformer's helmet.  Hadley and Julianna were fascinated with it!

 The girls duking it out over the grocery cart...

 Hadley waiting patiently for Grandpa to open her "Monkey in a box!"

Merry Christmas to all...

and to all a good night! 

No Santa, but the Carousel will do!

We had two more presents to buy for Christmas, so we headed out this morning to spend the day doing a little last minute shopping. We also planned to visit Santa, but the line was way too long...way too long!  As we were searching for the perfect gifts, we ventured down to the lower level of Glenbrook Square Mall, which has a double decker carousel.

After searching our pockets for $2.00, Hadley and I bought our tickets and went for a ride. I wanted to minimize the scare factor, so Hadley rode on the giraffe because it's the only stationary animal. This carousel moves at a pretty good clip. I made sure Hadley was buckled in and then we both held on tight! Daddy caught a few pictures of us as we came speeding past...

...and yes, we did find the perfect gifts.

At least we would like to think they are! 

Michigan Family Christmas

We celebrated Christmas with Austin's family today.  As our lives get busier, we find that we don't get to spend much time together.  Well, all of us at once that is.  Kim made an awesome dinner w/ yummy dessert, and then we opened presents and hung out.  It seemed to be more fun this year because we have Brynn and Hadley who are so close in age, and the two of them provide some great entertainment!  

Hadley wanted to help daddy carry in Aunt Jodie's stuff, so she put on Grandpa's shoes! 

Aunt Jodie attempting to hold both of the squirmy girls!

Aunt Shelby finishing up the cookies with Grandma and Grandpa holding the girls so that they could watch...

A nice family picture off all the kids and grandkids in front of the Christmas tree...

Below is a picture of my kids hamming it up for the camera.  Too funny!

Below are pictures of everyone opening presents...

Uncle Brad playing with Hadley and her new book...

The girls are reading their new books...

Hadley-bears hauling around all of her Christmas presents...

Why the sour face?

What a great fun family day.  Merry Christmas!