a day in the life

On Christmas Day

We had another wonderful day. Two excited bigs, and one content toddler with his free honey gift (Batman cave.) After present opening we had a lovely breakfast with the other Taylors, then a wonderful and unexpected dinner with the Jebber Family-boy are we lucky. Merry Christmas to all. 

'Twas the night {before} Christmas

Just how Lillian and Charlie were at about this age, Jackson was just not having the story tonight-even milk did not disuade him from climbing down from Daddy's lap right after I took this photo. But it is ok because after milling around for a bit, he came to see me. I took this photo just as Daddy said "And to all, a good night."Good night...

On the 3rd day {before} Christmas

Tonight we went caroling. Last year we randomly stopped at only one house, but this year we planned ahead and stopped at a few. Smiles and made up songs made for a very fun night. Thanks to the Jebbers for this shot of the carolers :) 

On the 4th day {before} Christmas

Today we baked cookies. Lots and lots of cookies. And tonight we decorated the cookies. Now Jack isn't quite old enough to participate in a lot of our activities yet, but as he was feeling a little left out, he snuck over to the table where cookies were cooling, stole a cookie right off the cooling rack, and hid behind Daddy's chair to enjoy his spoils. What a funny little stinker. 

On the 5th day {before} Christmas

Tonight we wrote letters to Santa which will appear in the hopefully soon to be completed 12 days album. Tonight we also enjoyed the first snow.
We bundled everyone up and went outside in the dark and Lillian, Charlie and I had an awesome snowball fight while Daddy pulled Jackson in the sled (Jackson said "WHEEE" with a big smile on his face.) After we were cold enough, it was inside for some peppermint hot chocolate with peppermint whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. It was just a perfect night.

On the 6th day {before} Christmas

Tonight was movie night and there was no way I could capture the night's fun in just one photo.  This year we watched Elf, which may actually end up in our collection as I didn't remember just how sweet it was. During the movie there was cuddling (which may have actually been Daddy biting Charlie,) playing some Batman, showing off an impressive Kraft dinner beard, smiling sweetly for Mama's camera, and proof that Lillian is my daughter and watches movies just like her Mama, with a huge smile on her face. Boy do I love my little family.

On the 7th day {before} Christmas

Merry Christmas from the ever so slightly nerdy Taylor family :) 

On the 8th day {before} Christmas

As our track record with gingerbread houses is not the best, I was so excited to see a simplier way of having the same amount of fun. Kids were happy, I was happy and we got a wonderful result. 

On the 9th day {before} Christmas

Tonight we went out to look at Christmas lights. While it would have been better with some SNOW, we still had a great time. We went to the crazy house (those who live around us know which one that is ;) then over to the dancing light house (just as cool as last year) then we went over to my favorite village and I found one of my (other) favorite houses.
Just absolutely perfectly decorated. I love it. 
Somewhere along the way Lillian and Charlie started singing different variations on Carol of the Bells. Like Carol of the Dogs. And cats. And Slinkies. DON'T YOU WANT TO HEAR CAROL OF THE SEAT BELTS (click, click, click, click.) Daddy came up with Carol of the Mamas which pretty much consisted of all coughing (ha, ha.) It was a wonderful time filled with silliness, creativity and a brother and sister (and a baby) being friends. Perfect. (cough cough)

On the 10th day {before} Christmas

Tonight was ornament night! I have to say picking out ornaments this year was a little harder-not for Charlie of course as he has robot ornaments carefully wrapped up until I believe 2016 or so, but for Jack and Lillian, it was harder. But then of course, how had I not thought of it before. Lillian's nickname since birth has been pickle. How have we not gotten a pickle for our tree! Well, probably has to do with the fact that I had never even heard of the pickle tradition until just a few years ago, but still. Perfect. Then thanks to Etsy, a Yoda cut snowflake for Jack? Once again, perfect. And they all look lovely on the tree.