What's on my phone

 My phone photos . . . most often the only camera I have with me. Here is the December round up:

 Dunaway Family Christmas!

The girls had a great time playing dress up and playing with their American Girl dolls; Trey had fun building legos without female interference.

Prior to Christmas, we were super busy with the kids' activities, work obligations, Christmas parties, getting our house in perfect condition (more to come on that later . . . ) and putting in a new water heater (not planned). THIS NIGHT: 

 was the first night we were able to sit down and relax in about two weeks. A night of watching "Love Actually" while snuggled up and splitting a bottle of wine was my idea of a perfect Christmas date night. Sweat pants are the new Little Black Dress when you are 30.

Paul took the few days prior to Christmas off from work and we were able to sneak in a movie during one afternoon. The popcorn was a huge hit! Big Hero 6 wasn't bad either. 

Two Sundays before Christmas, the girls attended the cheerleading clinic at school. They had so much fun and I had two worn out little ladies that night! 

Supper With Santa

 We took the girls to Supper With Santa and Illuminations at Botanica this year and it was wonderful. We picked the night they had pizza (because . . . well, because they would actually eat that) and after eating were able to snap some sweet photo ops before exploring the gardens. 

The girls were obsessed with having their pictures taken with Elsa. I'm not sure what she was doing with her hand here and clearly Emma wasn't sure either - she was trying to mimic the hand placement. It was too funny!

 The girls patiently waited in line for their turn to see Santa. Lexi marched right up and without batting an eyelash told him her name and answered all questions about what she wanted for Christmas (Isabelle, the American Girl doll and Raven Queen, from Ever After High, dress up items). 

 

Emma was pretty unsure about the whole process. She REFUSED to sit on Santa's lap, but was just fine standing next to his chair. This was her first time to see Santa and I think the whole thing confused her. When he asked what she wanted for Christmas she couldn't think of much so she said "Blaze and the Monster Machines" which super confused poor Santa.

Walking the gardens during Illuminations is always fun for Paul and me - he proposed there during Illuminations way back in 2005 and we had our wedding reception at Botanica in 2007. It feels like nothing and everything has changed when we go back.

2005:

2007:

2014:

 

 It was a beautiful winter night! I love that we get to share this place with our children and relive a very special night over and over again each year!

Merry Christmas 2014

 Our Christmas season was super busy this year, but our Christmas Eve and Day were spent at home this year. It was a wonderful, simple day! 

The girls each got new big fluffy bathrobes with their Christmas Eve pajamas and I I don't think Emma has taken hers off yet! 

Christmas morning, the girls "slept in" until 6:45! They were so excited to come down and see if Santa had come - and, of course, he did!

One of the major items on Lexi's wishlist this year had been the American Girl Doll, Isabelle. Emma, always wanting to be just like her big sister, would echo that she wanted an "American Doll" also. 

This is a face of sheer joy! Lexi screamed in such high tones that it made no sound when she unwrapped the doll.

 AGES ago, I ordered Anna and Elsa dresses for the girls and I was so excited to see if they liked them come Christmas morning. I think the fact that I could spend 20 minutes every night mending the dresses can attest to their popularity. Both girls wore the dresses for the next 48 hours straight! 

 

 Later in the morning, my parents came over and brought a few presents for the girls to open. Emma's big gift this year was a bike. She was very excited until she realized it was going to require her to actually do some work to make the contraption move. She quit after about 12 minutes of not being pushed down the street. No worries, we will get her there come springtime. :)

The day ended with a massive feast. This beautiful, well-buttered beast was a perfect centerpiece to end a wonderful Christmas.