Christmas 2015

This is a little late on my part, but I wasn't going to let it go unfinished.  Also, beware... there are over 200 photos in this post.  

Here is a compilation of the Patterson Christmas 2015.  Every year at Christmas time, it just gets better and better with the girls.  This year, we started some new traditions and the girls really got in to them.  Doppy (our Elf on the Shelf) showed up on December 1 and they enjoyed looking for him every day.  And they would remind each other not to be naughty because Doppy was watching.

We also started an Advent calendar.  Each day was the next sister's turn to open the door.  Then she would share 2 of her 3 treats with her sisters.  They did great with sharing.  Somehow, in order to remind me to let them open the doors, Mallory would say, "What time is it?"  I'm not sure if I say that or if she was a little confused about the numbers on the doors, but it was super cute (once I figured out what she wanted to do.)

Some new favorite movies/shows are Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  They especially like Clarice (Clariff) and the Abominal Snow Monster.  They also like The Grinch and Prep and Landing.

I think we lucked out this year with the gorgeous Santa photo.  We went to their preschool to visit Santa.  Mallory and Taylor were a little skeptic and as I was trying to talk them in to sitting on Santa's lap, Samantha hopped right up there and was having a conversation with him.  I think this made the other two feel more comfortable so they joined in on Santa's lap.  They all three asked for a four-wheeler (power wheels), Elsa doll, and bunny tails (what they call marshmallows).

On December 12, I took the girls to my multiples group Christmas social.  They had so much fun making cookies, jumping on the moonwalk, and getting to see Santa.

Taylor and Mallory were ready to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas.  A four-wheeler, Elsa doll, and bunny tails (marshmallows).  Samantha was a little nervous at first to sit with Santa and insisted that I come be in the picture as well.  I then reminded her that she would get a candy cane if she stayed with her sisters and smiled.  She quickly obliged.

Bye Bye Santa!

 At home that afternoon, we made bead candy canes to hang on the Christmas tree.  They were really in to it and loved the new activity.

Then we had a tea party.

Watching movies at Nana and Papa's house.

December 16th was Christmas jammies day at gymnastics class.  They had so much fun with snowballs and balloons on the trampolines.

On December 17th, we went to the Second Baptist Christmas show.  Prior to the show, the girls got to see their elaborate trains set up in the lobby.

The girls loved the show, especially Taylor.  She was dancing when the music played and asking questions.  During an underwater scene where there were fish and an ocean background, she asked (while the auditorium was silent), "Where's Ariel?"

They did so good during the whole show even though it didn't start until 7:30 PM.  There were some meltdowns on the way to the car but they did wonderful during the show.

I normally don't take my phone with me when I drop them off at school, but I'm glad I did this day so I could capture this cuteness.  They always want to hold hands while the walk in to school together.  They are so cute with their backpacks and lunch boxes.

MBC Snowball fight was on December 23.  They girls were able to participate a little more than they did last year.  It was a lot of fun which then ended with a movie on the projector screen at the end of the cul de sac.

I thought another new tradition we could start this year was making Christmas cookies for Santa together.  Brian actually set up his Go Pro for a time lapse video which was pretty funny but here are some other photos I got.  We baked in jammies and fairy wings.

All of the grandparents came over on Christmas Eve night.  The girls ended up helping make the corn bread.

 

Daddy and Taylor selfies.

 Soaking in time with MeMe and Nana.

Earlier the week of Christmas, I took the girls to Dollar Tree.  They each picked out a gift to give MeMe, GrandPops, Nana, Papa, and Daddy.  Sam also picked me out a little something.  When we got home, they helped wrap each gift.  On Christmas Eve, they were so excited to give their grandparents and Daddy a present.  I loved watching them learn about giving and enjoying watching others be happy.  So special.  

The gifts were entertaining in themselves. .. Purple readers and kids-sized pirate socks for Papa.  2 scarves and hair clips for Nana.  Too small flip flops and flashlight for MeMe.  Car window cleaner for all the men.  Balloons for Daddy and Grandpops.  

They weren't asking for gifts but MeMe had a little something for them to open as well.  We heard three little girls sing Frozen songs the rest of the night.

Setting out reindeer food in the front yard so Santa's reindeer would know where our house was.

My 2nd annual picture of the girls in this spot on Christmas Eve.  Brian also read them The Night Before Christmas again.

Christmas Morning

(the anticipation to see what Santa brought)

Going for their first drive in their "Four Wheeler"

We have 1 good driver and 2 not-so-good drivers.

Now, the anticipation of seeing what Nana and Papa gave them for Christmas.

They loved their new dress up cabinet.  It went in the playroom perfectly.  They got dressed up and then sang and looked at themselves in the mirror.  It was precious.  The hard part was getting them to change in to their Christmas dresses later.

Playing with their cousins.

After a nice meal and time with the Patterson family, we packed everyone up and headed to my parents house.  The girls were troopers the whole day since they didn't get a nap.  MeMe and GrandPops had one of their gifts set up when we arrived.  They were excited to play with Paisley in their new teepees.

The best family photo we got on Christmas.  It may of had something to do with no naps.

After presents, more family came over for dinner.  The girls continued to play with their new toys.  Towards the end of the night, they got to watch their favorite movie, Frozen.

We also hosted Christmas with all of my friends on December 27.

On our road trip to the River House to see Granny Fran.

The girls got to ride horses for the first time.

Painting rocks (with Rylee too)

We arrived on New Year's Eve so as something fun for the kids, Aunt Frances organized a NYE party on New Year's Day.  She had recorded the ball drop in New York, bought hats, necklaces, and blowers.  At about 7:15 PM on Jan 1, we celebrated New Year's Eve with counting down and then a parade around the porch.  All the kiddos (and adults) loved it!

What a fun celebration of Christmas in 2015.  I'm kinda glad I took so many pictures so I can remember the amazing times we had.