The McKay Family: December 23rd-25th 2011

Christmas is so much fun when you've got a little one to enjoy it with! Eleanor must have been extremely excited about Christmas morning because she woke up at 3 a.m. Luckily, she zoomed from her bedroom to ours without notcing that Santa had already visited us! While Mommy held Eleanor for a few minutes, Daddy walked quietly to the living to turn off all of the lights. After he returned to our room we returned Eleanor to her room. Thankfully she couldn't see what Santa had left. Finally at about 8:45 (and after some "encouragement" E woke up and ran into the living room going straight for her Princess Castle. She was also very excited about her new kitchen complete with dishes, pots and pans, and food. She also loved playing with her new Leap Pad and Minnie Mouse Bowtique dolls and clothes. One of her favorites was also the horse and doll rider. Daddy showed her how to play her new guitar and she enjoyed playing with that as well. She was so precious opening her gifts this year. Her face was full of excitement and surprise as she opened and played with her presents. She certainly did not need any assistance opening her gifts this year! Each time she would open something or find something new under the tree she would come over to get us saying, "Mommy look look!" There is just nothing better in the world than being her mommy!

This Christmas season I am remembering how truly blessed I am. I am so thankful for my little family. They mean the world to me! I am also thankful to have a career that allows me to spend extra time with them. This might be the best Christmas I have ever had.

Our "big tree"

Playing 'Rella @ Nana and Papa's

Opening gifts at Nana and Papa's

Playing with her new Leap Pad

Future chef.. hopefully better than mommy!

E loves Minnie Mouse!

Princess-Rockstar-Equestrian

Dress up Time!

Dinner time!

The first thing Eleanor went for Christmas morning was her "pincess castle"

We were blessed with a new home for Christmas! Chris, Eleanor, and I have settled in to our new home and we love it! After a week of sleepless nights, Eleanor is now sleeping in her "big girl" bedroom. This took some compromise for both she and I. I explained that she had to sleep in her room and she decided that if she had to sleep in her room she would sleep on a palette on the floor. Mommy thinks this is just fine as long as she is sleeping well in her own room. Not sure what we will do when her pink Christmas tree is taken out of her room (I think this is mainly why she insists on sleeping on the floor), but we will cross that bridge when we get there.

Bella is doing exceptionaly well with her doggie door allowing her to play tirelessly in a big fenced backyard. It is hilarious to see her get through the doggie door with her little back legs. I often find her sunbathing on the back deck. She has also made "friends" with a couple of neighborhood cats. Not really. She hates them with a passion but Eleanor loves them so we keep feeding them. They visit us every night before bed.

Eleanor has also been through the doggie door. I recently found her sitting on the back swing waving, saying, " Momma I swinging, sit down ." Gotta keep an eye on that kid!

Mommy is enjoying decorating and taking walks around the neighborhood! Daddy is very excited about having basically the entire downstairs to himself for piddling and what not. Eleanor is enjoying her new playroom and "adopted" cats.

We are truly blessed and very thankful!
Here are a few pics of our new house...