And it was a Merry Christmas…

 

Zoe woke up, excited to see if Santa had left presents under the tree and excited to look out the window to see if it had snowed. She wasn’t going to wait for us to get out of bed, she headed right out to the living room, unafraid this year. She sat down and started opening presents like a pro.

She was super excited to hear that this year, all the presents under the tree were hers! We just explained that Santa doesn’t bring presents to grown ups, only to kids. She was fine with this.

She got two sets of Star Wars legos, both from the Empire Strikes Back and Hoth settings. These were to go with the present that Daddy got for her.

Here’s the other lego set.

Then I remembered she had a present for both of us that she made at school. I carefully packed it away and was able to retrieve it quickly. She made us both open the box together and then wanted the camera to take our picture with it. Mr. Black helped her with this and took such a sweet wintery picture of her that we will cherish.

Next up, one of her favorite gifts this year - a big stuffed Appa. We have been watching the Avatar (the Last Airbender) cartoon series and have all enjoyed it immensely. This stuffed animal is one of the softest I have ever felt… she has been sleeping with him every night as the stuffed animal of choice. Sorry Tummy Belly Rubs (one of her most recent penguins picked up on our trip to Indiana a few months ago).

Hugging Appa. She was so thrilled and surprised with this.

Okay, next up! This was her much wanted Little Pet Shop Rescue Center. “How did Santa know it’s what I always been wanting?!” My reply? “Mommy emailed him since we were so busy with the move and forgot to sit down and write him the letter”… she had suddenly remembered on Christmas Eve that she hadn’t written her letter to Santa.

The typical family pose in front of the Christmas Tree during presents. We set up the tree and Zoe and I made some handmade decorations this year. No sense getting all the decorations out for just a few days.

And the present from Daddy this year. The AT-AT from Star Wars Empire Strikes Back. It is HUGE and pretty cool. I’m not sure who loves it more… they played for HOURS with this! Of course, the Pet Shops went in very quickly and started war on the evil empire.

Mommy and Lannie enjoying some snuggling while the kids play.

Then it was time to get some pictures outside of our snow. Zoe could hardly wait to get out there and see if there was enough to make a snow man. The first thing she did though?

Yep, she stuck her head back and tasted the falling snow… I love this.

Dave is not so excited about the cold and snow.

Zoe is, though, and that’s cool!

We had a very merry little Christmas here in our “new” home in Missouri. We are settling in and getting things unpacked and hung and put in their new place and it is becoming a nice little home for us. I’m glad we have a few days to settle in before my last day at IBM and my first day at Drury University. We’ve also gotten Zoe enrolled in school and her first day will be after the holidays.

Thanks for checking the blog! Love you! - Kim