Christmas Eve 2016

We got up Saturday morning at the hotel, got ready, then Lyla and I went down to the salon for our nail appointment!

Lyla asked them if she could have alternating red and green... well not only did they do that, but they painted little Christmas lights on them and put little heart sequins... she was in her glory!

Poor mom only got boring red.....  :(  

After we were done with our nails we had brunch with Gary and his mom.  Then we stayed to visit with her for a little while.

From there we headed to my parents for Christmas with my family.

Lyla and Carter were all wound up and excited! 

When it was time to leave there, we stopped at Bill & Patti's really quick so that Erin and I could get a picture of our families together.

Then we were off for home to get ready for Santa to come! 

Lyla left cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.  She counted them all out to be sure there were enough carrots. 

Christmas Eve Eve 2016

Friday I had to work until noon, Lyla had school until noon and Gary took the day off.

Lyla was BEGGING to open one present before school, so we gave in and let her do it!

Once we all got home we allowed Lyla to open the rest of her presents from us.  Then we packed up the car and headed to West Virginia. 

We stopped in Morgantown and had dinner at the Boston Beanery, then we checked into our hotel room. 

From there we went to visit Gary's Uncle Delmus and Aunt Patti in Fairmont.  They've been through a lot this year and I'm thankful everything worked out and we were able to visit with them.

They are really fantastic people and any time we get to see them, I always cherish it.

After our visit, we went back to Morgantown and stayed over at the hotel.

Little Bit of Snow & a Couple Early Christmas Presents

Last week we got a little bit of snow.... It was pretty and exciting and I would be completely overjoyed if that was the last of the snow for the season!  I'm not sure I could be that lucky though...

But I will admit that the Christmas lights all look so much better in the snow!

Friday I got Lyla out of school a little early and drove her down to stay at Grandma & Pappy's for the weekend.  While she was there, Gary and I put together her surprise Christmas present from my parents.  They got her a loft bed for her room.  A loft bed is basically a bunk bed that only has the top bunk.  Its so nice in her room and gives her more space.

She was so surprised when they brought her home on Sunday!  I'm glad they were here and able to see her reaction!  It was so much better than her opening a box on Christmas and trying to explain to her that it will be a really cool bed once we put it together.

Yesterday Maria sent her present for Lyla home with me.  She got her such a pretty dress to wear and a matching tiara!

Lyla was so excited about it when she tried it on.  She was prancing all over the house telling me she was Cinderella because it was so obviously a princess dress!

"Baking" Christmas Cookies

Lyla was all excited about this Shopkins gingerbread house kit, so her and Gary got it out Saturday morning while I was in the shower....  It was a bit of a let down!  I think she still had fun though!

 

 

Later in the day I invited her friend Hailey to come over and do cookies.  I found sugar cookie sheets all ready to go.  Already rolled out and everything!  Basically all I had to do was put them in and out of the oven... other than that the girls pretty much did it all on their own!



Hopefully Santa likes sprinkles!! 

Ugly Sweaters & Happy Birthdays

Friday we had our annual Christmas party at work.  This year, Maria and I made it an ugly sweater theme.  I was really surprised by how many people participated and how many made their own - truly ugly sweaters!!  We stuck with the kinda ugly - cute but we wouldn't wear them on a normal day - variety!  ;)

Today is Gary's 37th Birthday!  Lyla insisted that he open his presents very first thing this morning.  First thing in the morning at our house is about 5:15...

She also made him a special birthday hat!

After work we went to Ladles for dinner.  Lyla asked the waitress to sing happy birthday to her dad, but she said they don't really do that there.  But she must have been pretty convincing because her and another lady who works there came over and sang!