Can I leave these up all year long?

We went all out this year with the Christmas Lights!  Although we still haven't tackled icicle lights on the eves, I still did manage to decorate quite nicely, getting them up by December 1st.  The girls loved them and I made sure to turn them on nightly, so they could always see them bright and shiny upon returning home from school.

But man, it's a lot of work putting them up (especially on the trees, what was I thinking?) . . .I have no plan to take them down, my goal is perhaps by the end of January?



Christmas with the Fitz Family

Boxing Day was just as perfect as the day prior.  It was wonderful to prolong the magic of Christmas one more day!  Nana and Pop Pop came to spend the night with us, while Aunt Tori visited for the day - I enjoyed every minute of our time together and when Nana and Pop Pop decided to extend their stay by a night, I took off an extra day so that the girls and I could spend more time with them.

Farmer Family Photo - Day Two

Starting to open presents . .

Upon learning she received a doll house, Katie starts leaping in the air (see the feet off the ground)!

. . .and runs to let us know.

The PERFECT moment, the excitement of it all - exactly how childhood should be, full of wonder, joy and love!

Opening Caroline's stroller!

Sissy and her Auntie Tori

Beautiful Day = Beautiful Girls

N A N A !

Celebrating Pop Pop's birthday (a couple days early)

After the day was done, we all bundled up and headed out in neighborhood looking at all the lights.

The next morning, reading stories to Nana.

Thank you Nana, Pop Pop and Aunt Tori for being so fabulous and coming to spend the holiday with us, WE LOVE YOU!

CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Morning 2011

Seeing her presents from Santa - 6:30 a.m.

Sissy's 4-Wheeler

Katie's Princess Bike (note Minnie riding on the back :)

The bike was loved by all . . .

Caroline's FAVORITE gift, her castle!

Story time with Grandma

Katie's favorite gift, her doctor set - we were all very ill that day!

Grandpa being silly!

Taking Sissy's present out for a spin!

And the stockings were hung . . .

Finally!  Christmas Eve . . .we are so excited to wake up tomorrow and see the wonder that Christmas will bring for our girls.  We had a busy evening getting everything ready for Santa . . .baking and decorating cookies for him . . .



 

 . . . and sprinkling Reindeer Food in the yard so they would have something to munch on as well.

I hope I can sleep tonight . . .I simply can't wait till the morning!

Happy Birthday Grandma

December 24th, isn't exactly the greatest day of the year to be born on . . .so I always try extra hard to make my mom's birthday extra-special!   And why not?  I have a mother that's amazing and extra-special as well.

Usually I stay away from any type of Christmas or Winter theme, but this year I did a little bit of Winter and I loved how it turned out.

I ordered matching shirts for the girls online - Caroline's said "It's Grandma's Birthday."

While Katie's said "Happy Birthday Grandma!"

Opening Gifts

Katie sharing her cake with Sissy!

Playing with Grandma

All done . . .

H A P P Y    B I R T H D A Y     G R A N D M A  - We love you!