Let the Festivities Begin!

All the holiday festivities have begun and our schedule can prove it!!! Last week we started the fun with our Sunday School class Christmas party and my Mom 2 Mom group party.

Yesterday evening we took the girls to Christmas in the Square in downtown Frisco. They had a blast watching the 1000's of strands of lights blinking in a choreographed rhythm to Christmas carols, as well as bounce away in the gigantic bounce houses and slides. Afterwards, we enjoyed our yearly tradition of driving around and looking at Christmas lights. A nearby neighborhood really gets in to the spirit of Christmas and does an amazing job creating a "Winter Wonderland" that brings a nonstop stream of cars to see the spectacular scenes in every front yard. The girls were wide-eyed and in complete awe of the sights.

Saturday morning we all went to Breakfast with Santa at church. We had yummy pancakes and sausage while waiting for our turn to see Santa. Then we went to visit the elves and they helped the girls write a Christmas list to give Santa. Ashlyn couldn't wait to jump up in Santa's lap and give him her long wish list. Avery wasn't quite as thrilled about getting up in Santa's lap, but she tolerated it. After seeing Santa, the girls played fun, carnival games and played with their friends.

The fun did not stop there. After Santa, Ashlyn and I raced over to her friend's birthday party at Paint 'n Party. Then I dropped her off and headed back up to church to volunteer with the special needs children for the afternoon while their parents had the day to themselves to shop or just relax.

This morning Ashlyn sang during the service at church with the children's choir. The children were so precious dressed in their Christmas clothes, with their sweet little voices singing beautiful music! Later in the afternoon Ashlyn and I went to her GLOW Kids meeting. This evening it was my turn! I met my closest group of friends at a great Italian restaurant for our annual Girls' Christmas dinner where we exchanged gifts and treated ourselves to a fun evening.

Deck the Halls

We started decorating for Christmas today! My favorite time of the year. Everyone always seems to be a bit more cheerful, loving, friendly, excited... in the Christmas spirit. We unloaded all the boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations from the attic, put our Christmas tree up and then hung all the ornaments. The ornaments are the most exciting part of decorating! I love unwrapping each one and reminiscing about where the ornament came from, who gave it to us, the memories that they bring back. And my most favorite ornaments are those that the girls have hand made. Also special are the ones Chris and I have bought each year since we have been together, each having the year on it. The first of these was from 1995!