Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas here in Manila. Megan has made it an extra special holiday just by being here with us. Justin and I were so excited for Addie to wake up on Christmas morning. When she jumped into bed with us we didn't suggest she fall back asleep like we normally do, instead we encouraged her to get up and go see if Santa came. To our surprise she didn't want to. Even when we told her to go check her stocking on her her door she said "no". We finally realized that while we convinced her that Santa Claus was coming on Christmas Eve to bring her gifts under the tree, we failed to mention that he would leave the gifts and then move on to other kids homes. He wouldn't hang out at our house. She didn't want to go into the living room for fear that Santa might still be sitting there eating his cookies and waiting for her! We had to laugh once we realized what her hesitation was from. We quickly explained that Santa wasn't in the house. She got over her fear quickly when she saw that her stocking was full of little gifts and that Santa had left her a huge haul of gifts under the tree. Bella Bean woke up about 40 minutes later and the fun of the day began. Unwrapping gift after gift for the girls while we talked on Skype with all the grandparents. I made my traditional homemade cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting (a serious Christmas morning treat). Addie changed outfits over and over depending on what tutu, princess gown, or pajamas she opened from a gift. Arabella sucked on lots of curling ribbon and quickly had a stash of new toys surrounding her. She loved her new Radio Flyer push wagon. Megan helped me get the turkey in the oven then watched the girls as Justin set the table and we put the finishing touches on our Christmas dinner. Mid glass of wine I decided it would be best for me to get Bella to sleep first then eat my meal I had worked so hard on. Both girls were in bed early then I could enjoy my meal. We popped in "It's a Wonderful Life" and cut a slice of pumpkin pie. We quickly whipped up a second pie ('cause that's what my sisters and I have been taught to do best: cook). The first pie was nasty as we forgot the sugar. The second pie at 10 PM with homemade whip cream was awesome. The day was crazy and chaotic and exhausting and wonderfully happy. Addie was thrilled with her Christmas. She wrapped her arms around Justin and I and said "Merry Christmas Mommy", "Merry Christmas Daddy", "I love you" and that made it all totally worth it. Thank you to all our family and friends who sent beautiful gifts for the girls.Pez at 6AMFrog PrincessPink Rose PrincessMegan got Lucy new ballsAunt Megan made Addie a Fairy GardenBella is crawling all over the place now. She's on the go!Justin said he knows he's getting old because his new coffee maker makes him as excited as he once got about receiving a Nintendo DS. He can't stop playing with this coffee maker!Lucy passed out in a princess dressAwesome Christmas dinner