Rodgers’ Christmas

Davis Christmas

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning, we woke up at our house, a tradition we started when Abbie was born.  We all opened our stockings and then headed downstairs for the good presents.  Abbie’s eyes were so big when she saw her huge princess tent.  They both headed inside right away.  Tessa lasted a few minutes with the presents then headed upstairs for a nap.  Her favorites, of course, were the panda hat (anything soft) and the animal cracker (her other favorite, food).  Abbie had such a good time opening each present, one by one, making daddy open it all the way so she could play with it before moving on to the next present.  I think her favorites were the snow white dress up and the fairy’s (daddy picked that out).  What a great Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve at the Rodgers.  The kids all had a blast playing together, opening a few small presents and eating lots of yummy food. 

We came home early to carry on our family traditions.  We sat by the fire and listened to Daddy read “twas the night before Christmas”, set out Santa’s cookies and milk, then went outside to listen for the sleigh bells and set out the reindeers food.  Abbie heard the bells and made a bee line for the house!  She yelled that Santa was coming and wouldn’t stop by her house if she wasn’t in bed.  I think that’s the fastest that kid has ever fallen asleep!

Angel

 

    

Abbie had her first school play tonight.  Her class (the 3 year olds) were the singing angels and Abbie played her part perfectly.  She did get a little excited when she saw her family in the crowd and shook her bell so hard that the bell went flying.  But other than that, she did great!  Mimi and Pappa came to see Abbie’s big performance too, a special treat for our sweet Angel!

1st Gingerbread House

 

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Abbie’s first Gingerbread house…success!  She had a great time decorating her house (dressed up as a ballerina of course!  Mommy and daddy had a great time watching the excitement in her eyes.  Just another reason to love Christmas!  Maybe next year, Tessa won’t be napping during the fun.

A special visit with a special friend

 

I’m quickly learning in life that there are many types of friends.  There are the friends that I have from childhood, friends from college, friends that I can call to head to the gym with, friends that I only talk on the phone with, friends that I get my kids together with, and friends that I can go a year without talking to and then call and things pick up like we’ve been talking every day.  This last type of friend is Katina, the one whose pictures you see right here (who came for a visit so I could meet her precious new little one and she could meet mine-who is a year old-that’s how long its been—crazy how time flies).  Katina is such a special friend of mine whom I met in graduate school at JMU.  She’s the polar opposite of me, which as I grow older (and wiser), is becoming the most special kind of friend to have.  She’s the one who (and always has) tells me like it is.  She doesn’t sugar coat things to spare my feelings, which is refreshing.  She’s taught me to loosen up a bit, to go against the grain of life.  The best part of all, she probably doesn’t even know she’s taught me these things, which is why I’m writing this post—to tell her she’s very special to me.  These last couple of years haven’t been the best to her, but this is cute little boy Austin, came into her life and turned that around, isn’t he adorable???  She always questioned becoming a mommy, and I always knew in my heart that she would make a fantastic one, I’m so happy for her and Brian.  I’m so happy for her and I, to remain friends through the years, through the distance.  Thanks for being such a special friend.

                      

                      

 

Gum Drop Square!

 

    

Gum Drop Square…the opening night…2 kids, freezing cold…not the best idea we’ve ever had.  But…it was still fun, especially for Abbie.  We waited in line for over 1 1/2 hours, so needless to say, Tess wasn’t thrilled for the big guy.  Abbie hopped right up there, told him she wanted a magic wand and mobigo games.  Then the elf came and took her “shopping” and she bought a present for me (sweetest little girl ever).  It’s still under the tree, i haven’t peaked!  When we got back to the car, Abbie yelled “I forgot to tell Santa I wanted princess dress up clothes.”  She was insistent that we go back to tell him but we convinced her to write him a letter instead!  I knew Tess wouldn’t be too into Santa, but there’s something about the screaming baby on Santa’s lap that I just love—mean, i know, but oh so cute when they get older!!

Christmas Photo Shoot

 

Of course, I had to get the girls dressed up in the beautiful dresses that my brother Eric (ahem, mom) picked out for them to make the Christmas card.  Here are the results of this stressful, I mean, wonderful adventure. 

 

(my favorite picture of Abbie…ever!)

                  

(Tess-a little confused about Buddy-our elf on the shelf)

 

        

 

 

Best girls ever!

Rockin’ around, the Christmas Tree…

 

 

                       

We continued the tradition (I know, I love Traditions!) of getting our Christmas tree as soon as the table was cleared of the turkey, okay, it wasn’t that soon, but it was the day after.  Abbie and Tess had a great time running around Lowes (TJ wouldn’t let us cut one down after the fiasco last year) trying to find the perfect tree.  We decided on 2 this year, one pretty one upstairs for Mommy and one pretty one downstairs for all of the family ornaments, and the place where we plan to spend Christmas morning, the tree where Santa will be delivering presents.

We decorated after Tess went to bed for obvious reasons, sorry Tess—maybe next year.  She didn’t seem to mind though, she woke up the next morning just in time to help put on the finishing touches of the tree upstairs. 

Abbie had a wonderful time going through all of the ornaments and picking out her favorites.  I decided to carry on the tradition that my mom had of being the one who goes through all of the ornaments, tells the story behind them (I write it down because I’m a little too much like my mom in that I can’t remember anything—ever!)  and hands them to everyone to put on the tree.  Abbie loved hearing the stories and wanted to know where every single one came from and why it was special.  I can’t even explain the joy of seeing Christmas through her eyes.  And Tess’ little face the next morning when she saw it—priceless.  Even though I’m pretty sure she has no idea this year, it’s still fun to see her take it all in.  Next year will be a whole other story, i’m sure!  Let the Christmas Season begin!!