All is Bright!

What do you ask Santa for when you already have it all? I thought hard and realized I just wanted Isla and Leo to have the merriest day of all and for me and John to enjoy every second with each other and our babies. I must have been good this year, because they didn't stop smiling all day. It was an absolutely magical day and I will remember it for always. Here I am Christmas Day, 21 weeks pregnant with our second baby boy.

And here are my two Christmas angels snuggling on the couch. Look at those faces? I could eat them up. I can't believe they are mine. I love them beyond words.

Isla woke up on Christmas Eve to reveal the last of the Advent Calendar's goodies which were Reese's cups, kisses, and gummy worms. She was one happy girl.

She then got to work on Coach, Gigi and Papa's bird houses. Isla took her precious time and painted each and every inch of those houses. They turned out adorable.
That night we lit luminaries in front of our house, scattered "reindeer food" for Rudolph, and dressed up for our annual Christmas Eve tradition - pizza and caroling. We met Coach, Gigi, Brannon, and Heather up at Rena's pizza and then drove to the Ponte Vedra Club. Once we arrived, we posted up on the coach in front of the fireplace and enjoyed cocktails, carols, and each other's company. Isla and Leo were mesmerized by the gigantic Christmas tree and its ornaments. They also adored Mr. and Mrs. Claus. This was the absolute first time Isla hasn't been terrified of Santa. They were hanging out with the jolly couple and even sat down at their feet to enjoy a goldfish snack. My babe and me enjoying it all

Then it was time...time to wake up with that nervous feeling in our bellies to see what Santa left behind. I captured the moment when they raced around the corner to see what presents they would get. Don't we all have one or two of these pictures from our childhoods?

And they were happy with the results.....

Leo's favorite present was his singing card and look how happy Isla was when she discovered Santa left her what she asked for....a pink baby doll and crib set.

It was all that I imagined it would be. We opened stockings and presents under the tree, had a breakfast of cinnamon rolls and sausage, listened to Christmas music by the fire and soaked it all in. After Leo's morning nap we headed to Coach and Gigi's for round two and Christmas brunch. Santa came to their house too.
That's a picture of Isla when she was one behind Leo...don't they look like twins? And speaking of twins... That night the whole family came over to our house for Christmas dinner. Oh how I loved this Christmas. It will be with me forever. I soaked up every second of it and it has filled my heart with happiness. And next Christmas we will have another little angel to celebrate with. Yes, all is Bright!

Christmas Fun

It's been a busy but FUN couple of weeks. I really am in love with this time of year. There are so many things to do and so many memories to be made. The highlight for me this week was seeing my little girl perform in her first ballet recital. Isla was part of a Christmas Nutcracker matinee that performed at the Wilson Center at FCCJ on Sunday. She was in the Heaven scene and let me just say my heart wanted to burst when I saw my little angel dancing so beautifully. I had tears in my eyes but the biggest smile on my face. She is just the best and I love her so much. No cameras were allowed in the auditorium but I snapped a few shots of her backstage getting ready. Isla had a permanant smile on her face. I've never seen her so excited.

My first time putting her hair up in a real ballerina bun

Isla and her little friend, Dani, who is just precious

Isla and Ruby

Me and my girl

Isla was showered with flowers after the performance. And of course, they were pink, her favorite color. She was completely ecstatic when Daddy and Papa came up and gave them to her.
Isla had to perfect her moves in the kitchen before the peformance. She cracks me up with her plie.
The next memorable moment was Leo's first haircut. My baby boy was NOT having fun with this at all. He is very afraid of the noise the vacum cleaner makes so when the hair dresser broke out the clippers, he lost it!

But look how absolutely adorable this cut is on him...(it's the "surfer cut" so says the stylist). It makes him look so grown up now, but he's still my sweet baby.

Isla and Leo both got new pajamas the other night and had to dance around the living room in them before bed. I love baby Gap and the fact that the girls one comes with a Tutu.

This picture cracks me up! We were in the middle of decorating the Christmas tree when we noticed Leo was really quiet. All parents know that this means trouble. When we rounded the corner looking for him, we found him hiding behind the couch sipping down my coke he discovered.

And here are a few pictures of Isla's Christmas performance at Palms. I've already posted the videos but had to post the pics. too.

There are just 4 more days till Christmas and I think I'm more excited than the kids for that morning to arrive. For now we will enjoy the countdown and all that it brings.