Addie was sifting through a box of old cards I've saved and happened across a card my Mother-in-law gave to me prior to our wedding. Inside was a toddler photo of Justin. I had completely forgotten about it but was thrilled to discover it again, especially all these years later and now that Arabella is a little tiny girl version of her Daddy. It's an uncanny similarity.
I love getting Christmas cards in the mail! It's one of my favorite things about the holiday season. I love adorning our refrigerator with all our friends and family's smiling faces. I love seeing everyone's photo card creations. Since we are so far away from everyone we care about it makes me so happy to have everyone a tiny bit closer in their photos and kind words. I adore the traditional cards with gilded cabins covered in snow and holly decked fireplaces. I love Christmas cards.
I can't believe how big Addie is getting. She is a real help in the kitchen with the Christmas cookies this year. We sang Christmas carols while baking. Then my heart proceeded to explode with joy. Next year Bella can help too, right now all she does is eat the dough.
Remember when I was inspired by Etsy Christmas crafts. I had aspirations of hand crafting Christmas garlands for all my family members in time for them to hang them in their own homes this year. Realistically, that was a bit of a pipe dream. I just finished one garland for our home and it took a bit to get the method and supplies correct. I worked little by little on the craft in the evenings after the girls were in bed. There are always a million things I need to accomplish when the girl are asleep so it took me a long time to finish this. The other garlands will probably be created after the new year when I get some free time and unfortunately too late for everyone to enjoy this year. 
We don't have a mantel, a grand arched doorway or even a nice banister to hang this from so on to the boring white wall it went. Not too shabby. I like the more modern Christmas paper I found here in Manila. I especially love the black and white addition to the more traditional red and green patterns.
Addie is now feeling better but Thursday she was complaining about her ear hurting. Poor thing had her first ear infection. Luckily, the decongestant and antibiotic kicked in quickly. She was her happy little self that afternoon. Not so happy in this picture though.
Addie's preschool Christmas program was yesterday. It exuded extreme cuteness, melting all hearts in the audience. Adelaide was the "A" for angel in the Christmas alphabet song. 
