Global Winter Wonderland Part II - Sacramento, CA 2014

Cute little cousins posing by the Sydney Opera House

The vibrant peacock display at Winter Wonderland

Great Wall of China light display

Light displays transformed into stunning landmarks

Colorful Winter Wonderland views

Traversing the Dutch tulip fields

King Tut at Winter Wonderland

More snow fun

The kids loved the dinosaur light displays

Walking through the Tyrannosaurus jaws

Little cousins sharing an evening of fun

Enjoying the carousel and rides

Goodbye Winter Wonderland 2014

Global Winter Wonderland Part I - Sacramento, CA 2014

Enjoying Winter Wonderland Sacramento 2014

The four of us ready for a night of lights

Winter fairy and Golden Gate Bridge lights 

Chinese dragons at Winter Wonderland Sacramento

Gorgeous Winter Wonderland lights

The girls loved playing in the "snow"

Beautiful flowers and a shimmering White House display

We enjoyed spotting all the global landmarks

Alina loved the tall and vibrant flowers

Little cuties exploring Winter Wonderland

Nothing comes between Alina and her Papa

Merry Christmas 2014!

Two very excited little girls on Christmas morning 2014

Presents and big smiles

These cuties just squeaked by onto Santa's nice list...whew

Sweet sisters in their pretty Christmas dresses

Miss Alina trying to guess what's inside

Gift opening galore

Christmas morning 2014 finally arrived! The girls not so patiently counted down until the big day and were thrilled to find that mom, dad, the grandparents, aunts & uncles AND Santa came through in the best way possible to bring all the gifts that their little hearts desired. They were all smiles throughout the morning and discovered that Santa is really hip to the Frozen craze. It's not like he has much choice, and he's smart enough to know that millions of little girls can't be wrong! He brought the girls the sparkling princesses that they had been longing for and of course some other fun surprises.

The girls loved opening all their gifts and then getting to go to the grandparents houses and open even more. The question now is, what do we do with all this stuff!?! Toy boxes are filling up, closets overflowing, books shelves packed to the brim. Even after donating old toys and relocating others to the grandparents we are still maxed out. It's amazing just how much our house has transformed in the thirteen years we've lived here. There have been so many great memories and this Christmas is yet another to add to that ever growing list. I always say how much I want to move, but I know when that day comes it will be bittersweet and we will miss what we had here, what we created, and where we were that one Christmas back in 2014.

Alina had the happiest smile all morning; Santa delivered!

Mommy with the two sweetest gifts of all

Daddy's girls

Christmas at Nana & Papa's and fun with the cousins

Little snake charmers

Christmas 2014 at Grandma & Grandpa's

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Little cuties ready for Christmas Eve gift opening

Gifts galore! Mom, Dad and Santa came through all right

All the gifts neatly wrapped under the tree

Stockings were hung by the chimney with care

Christmas cards and adorable kids; perfection

Kiddo Christmas Party Fun

Alina's preschool Christmas party; Santa & smiles

She made the cutest little cowgirl ever

Elise's Kindergarten holiday party, the kids had a blast
 

The party fun continued when the cousins came to play!

'Tis the Season

Proud girl and her holiday table arrangement

Bright red and sparkly poinsettia; girl approved!

The holiday season is upon us yet again, and every year it seems to arrive quicker than the one before. As a kid, December was obviously the longest month of the entire year. The anticipation building up to Christmas was overwhelming and I think that we all went a little crazy waiting. Two days into December and the girls are certainly feeling that vibe. The Countdown is on, and we all enjoyed decorating the inside and outside of our house for Christmas.  Dad deserves another gold star for a job well done on our Christmas lights. The kids 100% approved (and helped!) and Alina especially loves the Mickey & Minnie centerpiece. They each made sure to peek outside before bedtime at the sparkling display.

Elise picked out this lovely holiday bouquet

Dad's Christmas lights, the girls are big fans

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