Christmas Day night we were expecting a blizzard. I LOVE the first snowfall. Last winter we only got probably less than three inches so I was so ready for this snow.
I thought Ella was on the mend, but she barely slept that night. She ended up in bed with me, and Adam was forced to sleep in the computer room. It was a long night, and we were up super early. Ella had a horrible cough, and I knew it was time to take her to the doctor. Of course, Ella's doctor's office was closed due to the weather. I thought about taking her to Convenient Care, but they were closed too. Luckily, she was not running a fever so that eased my mind a little bit, even though it was driving me insane that I didn't know what was wrong with her.
Ella wanted to go out and play in the snow. I let her since she was so excited about it.
The boys loved the snow, even though they had the hardest time walking through it.
Ella got a great nights sleep that night, and thankfully sounded better the following day. We went to the mall to go shopping just so we could get out. Later in the day she wanted to go out and build a snowman with Adam.
Friday night we stayed home, because we were under another winter storm warning. It was a great excuse to take down all the Christmas decorations. I love putting it up, and I also love to see it come down. I feel like our house looks a lot less cluttered once it is all taken down and put away. I am still trying to organize all of the stuff Ella got for Christmas. I have been packing away and getting rid of a lot of old stuff to make room. I think I go through this cleaning/organizing phase every year around this time.
Saturday morning we woke up to another round of snow. I think we got an extra 3-4 inches. We decided to do a little shopping. It started snowing again before we left so of course I thought it was the perfect picture opportunity. I had no idea how bright it was going to be. I could barely open my eyes.
I love this picture of Ella and I, but I wish my eyes were fully open!
Ella looking cute as usual!
It was an interesting week of sickness and snow. I can't believe tomorrow is the last day of December. This was a great year, but it went way too fast. Hopefully I can find time tomorrow to do a 2012 recap.
We had a very busy Christmas this year, as we usually do. We had four days of Christmas celebrations. Even though it is busy, it is a lot of fun. This year was nice, because we had ample time to spend with each of our families.
Friday we didn't have anything planned, but the boys got their Christmas haircut. They had to look handsome for the holidays. When I picked them up they had red and green ribbon tied around their neck. They looked adorable, but it didn't last long.
She didn't want to be left out. I love this picture of her!
Saturday, December 22nd
On Saturday we celebrated with Maw and Papaw. Last year we didn't get much time with them opening gifts so it was nice this year to have time to open gifts and eat. Ella seemed a little tired and not quite herself, but I tried to ignore it. I had this gut feeling she was going to be sick on Christmas this year. It was in the back of my mind the whole month, but I just hoped she would stay well.
Ella got a fun surprise from them for Christmas this year. A Barbie Jeep! I can not wait until it gets warmer outside so she can drive this thing down the road. I wish I had one! :) Thank you Maw, Papaw, and Lacey!!
Sunday, December 23rd
Sunday we celebrated with Poppy and Nana. That morning we made some cookies and oreo balls. Ella had fun playing in flour.
I had never made oreo balls before. I found a recipe on pinterest so I thought I'd give it a whirl. They turned out so good.
I stole this picture from the blog where I found the recipe. I forgot to take one.
Ella laid on the couch pretty much all day. She had a very runny nose and just seemed under the weather. I was really worried that this was the last of our Christmas celebrations.
That afternoon Nana, Poppy, Wayne, and Lacey came over. We ordered pizza for dinner, which was nice. Since Ella was not feeling well making dinner would have been difficult. Even though Ella did not feel good she was anxious to open gifts. Poppy was very generous this year putting money in her 529. We really appreciate that, because some day that will come in very handy:) After gifts were open Ella just wanted to lay in our bedroom in the dark and watch her movie. I was worried, because I didn't know if we would make it to my parent's house the next day for Christmas Eve.
Monday, December 24th
Ella was up bright and early. She didn't have the best night of sleep, but she said she felt good enough to go to Mammy and PePe's house. I textedPenny to make sure they didn't mind us bringing Ella. The last thing I wanted to do was get Autumn sick. Come to find out, Autumn was sick too. 'Tis the season!
We headed over there early, because I wasn't sure how long Ella would last. Presents seemed to perk her up a bit. We got lots of nice things. Thank you mom and dad! My personal favorite is my new hot pink purse. Ella LOVES it. She keep telling me I have a nice purse. Ella especially loves her recliner.
This picture makes me smile. Brody likes to sit on my lap like this. I was reading Ella a story, and he was sitting there too. Ella was obviously not in the mood for pictures.
Once we opened gifts Ella headed to my parents bedroom to lay down. I felt so bad for her. She has been so excited for Christmas. Being sick was not in the plan! Even though Autumn didn't feel good she still posed for a picture for me.
Once we got home Ella just wanted to rest. I was praying she would sleep all night tonight. How would Santa come if she was up all night?
After I put her to bed Adam got busy putting together her train table. This has been the usual scene on Xmas even for the past few years.
Tuesday, December 25th
Luckily, Ella slept all night. She needed a good nights sleep! I was up bright and early getting everything ready. Ella ended up sleeping until 9. She was so excited to hear Santa came.
Santa really enjoyed the cookies and milk!
It was so entertaining watching Ella open her gifts. She loved everything. I think she told me thank you for her gifts 50 times that day.
I knew Ella would love this marble toy. I also knew Adam would be good at building it for her. It took him a few times, because Ella kept knocking it down. She loves to play with this. She puts all her marbles in a mitten and dumps them in altogether.
We decided to stay home Christmas day, because Ella was still under the weather. Her nose was pouring snot, and she had a nasty cough. We were sad to miss Xmas lunch, but it was really nice to stay home. Ella had fun playing with her toys when she wasn't laying on the couch.
Even though Ella wasn't feeling good we still had a nice Christmas. This was probably the best yet, because Ella was so excited. It's so fun seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child. I hated to see it end.
A week ago was Ella's 4th birthday party. Every year I saw I can't believe she is a year older, but I never thought I'd have a four year old. The past four years have flown. When they are babies you just try to get through the hard parts, and wonder if it will ever get easier. That time seemed to go so slow. Looking back, now I feel like the time just flew by. I never wish away time anymore. Now I try to hold on to every second I have.
Ever since Ella's third birthday party, which was a Thomas the Train party, Ella has been saying she wanted another Thomas party. She told me that all year. I wanted to have a Minnie Mouse party, but I went with it. I waited until the last minute to order her invitations just in case she changed her mind. Two days after I ordered the invitations she decided she wanted a Spider-Man party. Spider-Man, really?!
I love these invitations. They of course didn't go with the party theme, but I love the way they turned out. This is one of my favorite pictures of Ella.
We didn't tell Ella when her party was. We learned the hard way last year when she woke up at 11:00pm the night before and was ready to party. This year she was pleasantly surprised to find out about her party when she woke up that morning. She had a couple of presents sitting on the table so she opened those right away. She got a Minnie Mouse Scooter and a train floor puzzle.
My mom made Ella a Spider-Man dress. Just as long as she looks girly she can be a tomboy all she wants;)
I got Ella's cake from piece a cake again this year. I said I wasn't going to, but I love their cakes so much! We also had Papa John's pizza as we have in the past couple of years. It's so much easier.
Ella received lots of nice gifts. Ella and Autumn. had the best time playing with all her new stuff.
Ella had a fun birthday party. She didn't turn four until the following Wednesday. I can't believe I have a four year old. Ella is growing up way too fast for me.
.JPG)
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