Merry Christmas 2013

Excited girls on Christmas morning 2013

Little cuties posing for holiday photos

The four of us enjoying Christmas morning

Opening gifts

Happy girls in their new slippers & opening Santa's big gift!

Elise loved the reindeer stocking stuffers

A very Merry Christmas 2013

Christmas is always one of the most special and magical days of the year. This year was even more exciting as both girls were patiently counting down the days until Santa arrived. Elise wondered how Santa would remember her list among the millions of other children in the world, meanwhile Alina had genuine concerns as to how he would fit down our chimney (haha, love them!). Both our girls were so sweet this holiday, and truly relished in the spirit of Christmas. They only wanted to watch Christmas movies, read Christmas books, and wear fancy holiday ensembles. It is the most fun time of year for us as parents because there really is no other day that kids look forward to or talk about quite as much.

The girls woke up on Christmas morning completely starry eyed and delighted. They were so good about waiting to open their gifts until after we had ate breakfast. Nana and Papa joined us on Christmas morning for breakfast and gift opening too, which the girls also enjoyed. They were both spoiled by Santa, Mommy & Daddy, and the rest of their relatives. Santa remembered Elise and Alina's Christmas wish lists and fully delivered on the Disney princess castle, dolls, and Minnie Mouse toys. He brought loads of stocking stuffer goodies as well. Mommy and Daddy made sure the girls had plenty of new outfits, pajamas, games, toys and even a new bicycle for Elise and a new scooter for Alina. It was happiness all around in our household, and even more fun when we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house to see all the uncles and aunts and Nana and Papa's to see all the cousins. Merry Christmas 2013!

Alina with her gifts - Minnie Mouse toys galore!

Elise with her Christmas treasures

So excited about her new bike. 
She's been riding training wheel free too!

Christmas at Nana and Papa's house + cousin fun time 

Having a fun Christmas holiday

Christmas at Grandma & Grandpa's house

'Twas the Night Before Christmas 2013

Christmas Eve dinner; the girls picked out the lovely flowers

Opening one special gift on Christmas Eve

Adorned tree with our favorite family Christmas ornaments

Santa arrived while the girls were fast asleep

Gifts under the tree and our new 2013 Hallmark 
family Christmas ornament (thanks grandma!)

Dovewood Court Holiday Lights 2013

Daddy and the girls enjoying the lights of Dovewood Court

Beautiful peacock holidays lights

Enjoying a festive evening

Lovely Christmas lights abound

Light admirers; such a beautiful Christmas display

Elves, moose, bears and other critters...oh my

Adorable Audrey's first Dovewood experience

Preschool Winter Concert 2013 - Santa has Arrived!

The cuties performing at their preschool winter concert

Alina was so excited to greet Santa, she ran to his lap

Sweet moment with Santa, she asked for "Minnie Mouse toys"

The girls had their annual preschool winter show last Friday, and we were really taken aback by how much they have grown and matured over the past two years. They both performed great in their winter concert and dance routines. Elise was up first and she sang, dance and caroled on cue, all the while flashing big smiles and plenty of proud giggles. When little Alina's toddler class took the stage, we weren't quite sure what to expect. Alina did amazing; in fact, she was the star of the show. All the other kids in her class were in tears or froze up on stage, while she followed all the moves and melted like the perfect little snowflake. Watching our sweet little star shine on stage was certainly a very proud parent moment for us. Her dance teacher even commented, "she was my only performer; she did fantastic!". I can't praise these two enough (it's my job after all), but at the same time they make it pretty easy by doing so well. 

After the performances, the next big highlight of the day was meeting Santa Claus himself! In years past, the girls haven't exactly had the best track record with Santa. In their past meetings with Santa there has always been a bit of uncertainty and hesitation. This year, they embraced the opportunity to meet Santa. Alina ran right up to Santa eager to hop on his lap, and express her wishes for, "Minnie Mouse toys". She flashed some of the sweetest and most adoring expressions toward Santa. Expressions that had my heart melting, because I saw the genuine sparkle in her eyes and once again felt the pure magic of the holiday season. When it was Elise's turn to site on Santa's lap, she ran up told him she wanted, "a Disney princess castle" and had the biggest grin the entire time. She had been talking about meeting Santa for weeks, and even wrote out her very own Christmas list, which she mailed directly to Santa. The girls left school that day feeling fulfilled; Christmas is right around the corner and they both are officially basking in the spirit of the season.

Story time with Santa and their Christmas book exchange

Elise was thrilled to meet Santa, look at that huge grin

Watching the Little Red Riding Hood puppet show

Elise's First Ballet Recital

Adorable ballerina in the making

Ballerina Elise practicing her final bow 

At her very first ballet recital; she did fantastic!

Elise has been taking dance classes since September, and despite being nervous initially, she's amazed us with her determination and drive to succeed. It was immediately obvious just how much she enjoys dance. Her eyes lit up during the first class, and her body language spoke volumes as if she was freed from routine and meant to find dancing as her outlet; she was able to quickly pick up all the dance steps and at that moment she made me the most proud mom imaginable. She has been so happy after each class and has unwaveringly declared that she intends to become a ballerina when she grows up.

 

Elise had her very first ballet performance last weekend. Her act was among fifteen others at the dance studio's semi-annual winter recital. In the weeks leading up to her big debut, I had tons of "what if" scenarios running through my mind. At the top of the list, was concern that she may be fearful on stage after seeing everyone in the audience and freeze up, or even worse refuse to go on stage. The main reason I kept replaying this scenario, is because I was the shyest child and certainly could not have gone up there and performed in front of such a crowd. Elise, of course, never ceases to amaze and impress me. She immediately erased any lingering doubts I had, when she bounced out with the rest of the girls and saw me, Alina, grandma and grandpa in the front row, and flashed the biggest and proudest smile ever.  

 

Her performance was fantastic. She followed her cues, smiled and looked completely comfortable on stage. I had to hold back tears, because she genuinely did something I never had the courage to do at her age. Not only that, but she did two performances, so she was there from 2pm-6pm, in the back room with the rest of the girls, patiently waiting among the other acts until her stage time. I'm still in total awe of our little girl. She was so well behaved and she shined on stage. This was truly a special milestone; we knew it, as did she. She road home in the car that evening beaming with pride. I kept looking back at her in the rear view mirror and her face said it all, "I did it", "I succeeded", "I made my family very proud". She did all of that and more. We love you little ballerina! 

 

 

Our proud little star after the show

All dressed up by the tree

Little cuties. Alina says she wants to dance like her big sister

 

First Frost of December

First frost of December 2013

 

Frosty and cold outside, cozy inside

 

Only in the California valley, is it appropriate to get overly excited and take photos of the first frost of the season. Us valley dwelling Californians are so spoiled with temperate weather year-round, that when temperatures fall, and weather reports state that there are chances of snow, we all go crazy. Just this past week, temperatures dipped as low as, 40 degrees during the day, and 25 degrees overnight. All of us finally had good reason to pull out (and dust off) our gloves, hats and scarfs from hiding. While we didn't have snowfall in Citrus Heights, the nearby cities of Roseville and Rocklin did see a little bit. We haven't seen true snow in our city since a very cold streak back in December of 2009. I remember it well. It was Elise's very first December, and the fact that we actually had snow, that stayed on the ground, was cause for serious celebration. As much as I complain about the cold, I have to admit that I am glad that it finally feels like December here. The overly warm weather was outstaying its welcome (at least for me) this year.

 

 

Icy leaves and bark

 

This is what the girls wanted to see. They were
wishing for snow here, but alas, no such luck

The girls stayed warm, as did our resident cat-dog, Link

'Tis the Season

Proud girls after decorating the Christmas tree
 

Daddy's festive Christmas lights

The twinkling Christmas tree, 'Tis the Season
 

Lovely illuminated moon on a cool December night

Happy Thanksgiving 2013!

The girls enjoyed helping make the pumpkin cheesecake

Little chefs in their new aprons, thanks grandma

Colorful Fall leaf art. We had fun making this 

Sweet sisters, thankful for each other
 

There are so many things to be thankful for this year. Of course family always tops the list. Watching our two sweet girls grow and develop a loving bond with each other has been an absolute joy and privilege. They have become so playful and truly the best of little friends, don't get me wrong, they still play tug-of-war over toys and freak out when one touches food on the other's plate (natural instinct I suppose ha-ha), but overall they are loving and sweet. Elise will sometimes just watch Alina dance and play and exclaim, "Aw, she's so cute", meanwhile Alina is always saying, "I love you Elisey", or patting her shoulder and saying, "It's ok Elisey", when she is upset.  It has taken them quite some to get to this point, but they now are at ages where they can both imaginatively play together and will often do so for hours. We love it and are so thankful that they have each other as best little buddies for life.

 

Of course, the only thing that can top sister play time is cousin play time! When they get together with all their little cousins there is so much joy and laughter that we all just relish in watching them play. It is wonderful that they are all so close in age and play together so well. We are thankful each and every day for our family and the time we get to share. They have already established so many wonderful memories together and we look forward to years more. Happy Thanksgiving 2013!

Thanksgiving fun with the cousins...and papa

Cute cousins! Amazingly, they stayed in frame for one shot

Alina's Thanksgiving handprint turkey art; super cute!