'Tis The Season

What a wonderful Christmas season we all had. Tori really got into things this year, including helping me wrap the gifts. She had a ball playing with the rolls of paper, as well as scattering all the bows all over the house and playing hide and seek with the gift bags.

Our celebrations started on Saturday with a breakfast and gift exchange with the Mattos family. Both girls got a Tickle Me Elmo, which was almost a bigger hit with their daddies than with them. What a wonderful time of fellowship and celebration. Tori did warm up to her "Memmo" ( as she says it) and has figured out how to tickle him and make him laugh.

Later that afternoon, Tori got her big gift from mommy and daddy; her very own chair. After searching all over and having no luck ourselves, Mandy came to the rescue and found just the one we'd been looking for. After her nap, Tori woke up to find her pink princess chair waiting for her in the living room. She ran right over to it and plopped down just like a big girl. She's had a lot of fun sitting and reading in her new big girl chair, as well as fun toting it all across the living room.

Our main Christmas celebration took place at my folks' house this year. Our family has traditionally celebrated with a nice dinner and packages on Christmas Eve. After eating a big ham and scalloped potato dinner, it was time to gather in the living room for the fun. My cousin Missy (Mimi according to Tori) and Tori were in charge of being "Santa Claus" and handing out gifts this year. After Missy not being able to be home the last few Christmas's, it was great to have her in the middle of things this year.

Despite being a little on the tired side, since presents took priority to bedtime, Tori did well at opening her gifts and enjoyed handing Grandpa the paper piece by tiny piece. Her favored toys being set of wooden blocks that Grandpa made for her and a new toy phone. She also tried to help herself to Missy's gifts as well, when she wasn't distracted by the phone.

Christmas morning of course started bright and early. I made breakfast for everyone...cinnamon rolls and egg pie. We spent the rest of the morning getting ready for the big turkey dinner, and enjoying the time with family and toys. Tori modeled her new coat for us all before going for a walk with Daddy. Later she learned how to eat olives the proper way and that Grandpa likes to play with the kid toys too. They played CandyLand with the other grandkids, Cordell and McKenzie, and doodled on the Magnadoodle. A lot of fun for everyone. Christmas was a very fun and special time this year with all the extended family and friends that we were able to celebrate with, and being able to watch Tori enjoy herself too. We're looking forward to many more times of fellowship and fun with everyone in the new year to come.