Favorite Christmas Memories from 2009

Christmas time is my most favorite season of the year! I love the pretty lights, spending time with my family, giving gifts to the people I love, holiday parties with friends....but most of all showing my family how to love others and celebrate Jesus!

I wanted to post some pictures as well as some of my favorite memories from our Christmas this year:

1. Decorating the house and adding a 4th stocking to the fireplace mantle this year! ( Well...5th if we count our dog Bella's stocking) :)

2. A fun cookie exchange party with friends to kick off the holiday season -- in which I baked 11 dozen cookies! Never thought I could pull that off.

3. Baking all those cookies with my hubby, while listening to Christmas music and dancing in the kitchen!

4. An answer to prayer...Derek received a job offer and we now work together once again! So happy!!!

5. Fun times shopping, shopping, and more shopping! I just love it!

6. Picking out special ornaments for both Elise and Logan.

7. Taking the kids to pick out a special gift for Derek...and Derek did the same for me.

8. Having four different Christmas celebrations with my family all in one week!

9. Watching my 8 month old daughter open her first present and celebrate her first Christmas!

10. My husband purchasing a gift before Christmas that I had already bought him....oh, by the way, this is the second year in a row he has done that! :(

11. Watching Elise grow tired halfway through opening her presents and needed to take a break. I'm sure we won't run into that next year!

12. Watching Derek open a gift from his sister that was wrapped in a Victoria's Secret Box. :)

13. Starting new traditions with my wonderful family and taking TONS of pictures to remember these memories!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Getting Ready for Christmas!

Christmas 2009

Logan helps put the tree up

The tree is up - thanks Derek and Logan!
Logan playing with the garland before wrapping around the tree

Elise's 1st ornament for her 1st Christmas

Bella & Elise dressed in red & green

"I love to smile, smiling's my favorite!" :-)

Can we open our presents yet??? Nope - not til Christmas! :)

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

A Philly Thanksgiving!

The week of Thanksgiving we had the opportunity to travel to visit my husband's family in Philadelphia! Logan just loves to visit his Nanny and Papa, as well as his Aunt Wendy, Uncle Chris, and cousin Avery. And this was Elise's first trip to Philly! I'm sure she won't remember the occasion, but we will be sure to remind her all about it. She and Avery had fun playing together! Although Avery moves around alot right now, and Elise just sits there and watches her since she hasn't decided she wants to crawl yet.

While we are there, Derek and I always make a point to eat at all our favorite places since we only have a taste of it maybe once a year. One night we made the trek into the city to order cheesesteaks from Geno's - one of the famous touristy places to go! With all the lights covering the entire building, I almost felt as if I were ordering from a food stand at the fair. But nonetheless, it was an absolutely fabulous meal! So yummy!

And let's not forget to mention our love for WaWa coffee and hoagies! Even Logan has a growing appreciation for the food in Philly! :)

During one of our days in Philly, we had a family bowling night! I can't say that I remember the winner let alone the scores, but it was a pretty tight race between a few of us. Fun times!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal together, and then ended the week shopping on Black Friday!!

We are very thankful for our family! Can't wait to see them again!