magical morning

It was a very magical Christmas morning at the Street house this year.  The girls couldn't wait to see what Santa brought them.  Emma Jane was tickled with her new sleeping bag, but she was really excited to see who was inside...the Little Einsteins!  Vivian was more interested in the wrapping and tissue paper, but she was also pretty impressed with her pink cozy coupe.  Emma Jane tried out Vivi's new car, but she was also thrilled to receive her very own pink scooter.  Since it was a rainy Christmas Day, the girls spent the morning cruising around the house in their new rides and happily playing with their toys. 

We are so grateful for our two sweet, precious girls.  Although it was so much fun to watch them open their presents, just spending this special time together means so much more.  In the words of Dr. Seuss...

"Then the Grinch thought

of something he hadn't before...

What if Christmas, he thought,

doesn't come from a store?

What if Christmas, perhaps,

means a little bit more?"

In the words of Emma Jane...

"Happy Birfday to Baby Jesus!"

cookies for santa

The girls had a ball making Christmas cookies with their daddy.  Emma Jane loved getting covered in flour and squishing the dough!  Vivian seemed content to just watch at first, but then she let us know she was ready to participate...in eating the dough that is!  Some of you may remember Emma Jane's reluctance to give cookies to Santa last Christmas, so we were worried that this might be a recurring event.  At one point, she told us that Santa could have "just one pwain ole cookie with no spwinkles!"  Of course, we let her know that Santa deserved much more than that for all of his hard work.  After several pep talks, Emma Jane was happy to share a few cookies with Old Saint Nick!  Then, the exciting wait for Santa to arrive was upon us...

 

Merry almost Christmas!

Here's to making more special memories with family and friends this holiday season.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

special deliveries

We've had fun finding Christmas packages in our mailbox this week!  Aunt Susan sent the girls adorable handmade Christmas tutus.  Emma Jane and Vivian have worn them several times since we received the package in the mail a few days ago.  They love to prance around and watch the tulle bounce!  Thank you, Aunt Susan!

Last night we made a special evening trip to the mail kiosk to deliver Emma Jane's letter to Santa.  On the way there, the girls were in awe of all the Christmas lights and decorations on the neighborhood houses.  While dropping off Santa's letter, we were surprised to find a package from Aunt Scott waiting for us in our mailbox.  When we got home the girls excitedly took out the presents inside.  Emma Jane was thrilled to play with the manger scene that had the stamp of approval for early opening.  Thank you, Aunt Scott!

getting in the spirit

We spent last weekend getting into the Christmas spirit.  The girls wore their coziest pajamas to have brunch with Santa at a neighborhood function.  Emma Jane was very reluctant to get close to Santa, but Vivian happily sat in his lap.  The rest of the weekend was spent decorating the house...inside and out!  

Ready to meet Santa!

Daddy's big girl

Vivian was in awe of St. Nick!

Santa tried very hard to coax Emma Jane to sit next to him, but she was not ready to cozy up to someone she'd just met!

 

She got nervous and showed him her new Christmas jibbitz on her Crocs.

Emma Jane inched a little closer while Vivi checked out Santa's fur cuffs!

Finally...success!

Emma Jane "helped" Paul hang the snowflake lights.

Vivian loved looking at all of the colorful ornaments and taking them OFF the tree!

 I guess they tasted pretty good, too!

Emma Jane took her job of decorating the tree very seriously this year.

Is there anything more exciting than transforming your home into a Christmas wonderland?  In the eyes of a child, that is exactly what it becomes and it's well worth the hard work it takes to get there!