The family that makes trash: Christmas Day

This Christmas was so much fun for me (although I'm sad to not be with most of our family) because it meant so much more to Allie. There's something so sweet about seeing Christmas through the eyes of your child.

We started the morning in our typical way, with Allie coming into our room before 7am, dragging her new pillow, 'friend' and Binky along. After laying quietly in bed with us for a while, it was time to open stockings. Stockings have to be one of my most favorite part of Christmas morning, maybe because as a kid growing up, my mom would put ours on our bed in the middle of the night so it was the first thing we saw when we woke up. It also usually held some kind of yummy sweet treat in it we would be digging into before we even left our beds.

So, in holding with that tradition, Allie got to open a few things we put in her stocking. (Baby Cinderella is already missing her glass (plastic) slippers and of course, her dress).

Adrian loves his chew toy Dad!

Jake got a coffee tumbler to take his Chai to work in the mornings (without spilling) and of course M&M's!

Then it was time for a big breakfast with Aunt Laura, Titi and Uncle Dan before opening the rest of the gifts.

Allie wanted to help out by cleaning the dishes with me and mixing the OJ

Adrian's cute Christmas outfit... I just love the pants!

Allie's first present was from her dad. Tinkerbell papasan.

Playing with her Tinkerbell figurines in between opening presents (can you guess our theme this Christmas?)

This is the coolest doll that folds up into a flower (sort of the original Cabbage Patch Doll). My mom made this for us when we were kids (wish I had held on to it!) and I'm so glad she made one for Allie. She has barely put it down since she opened it. She loves it mom!