Let the festivities begin...

We've been trying to soak up this time of year because it always seems to go by way to fast.

Gracie all dolled up for her friend's Christmas party
We've seen santa many times and she is slowly warming up to him but still doesn't want to sit on his lap. Hopefully before Christmas is over she'll be brave enough. The other morning the FedEx man rang the doorbell and Gracie ran to the door yelling "Santa". I think she likes the idea of Santa, but just not on his lap.

Gracie and Ben waiting so patiently for Santa to arrive on the train.
Thanks to Ben we have Christmas lights up this year. He and Gracie go out every night together to turn them on.

We've been married for over 3 years now and have never had our own stockings. I've looked every year, but just have not found anything I loved so I decided to make my own. It defeintley makes the mantel complete and Grace loves pointing out who each stocking belongs to.

Celebrity Citing

Ben was excited to come home from school the other day and say that he meet his first celebrity. Andy Baldwin "an officer and gentlemen" from one of the seasons of the bachelor came to speak at Ben's school to recruit people to the marines. Maybe Ben's next celebrating citing will be someone that he is more interested in, but either way at least now he can say he met someone famous.

Thanksgiving

It was so nice this weekend having Ben around for 6 whole days! We spent a few days home putting up Christmas decor and the rest of the time in Dallas with Ben's family. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed being with family. This weekend I began to get a small glimpse of what having a two year old will be like. I know most people call it the "terrible two's" but I think troubled, trying, teachable, terrifying, and terrific could also be described at this age. She is teaching me so much lately and I'm slowly learning how to be a Mom to an almost 2 year old. Everyday''s an adventure.
Thanksgiving dinner was delicious. I forgot to get a picture of the food, but the table setting with china and crystal was beautiful.

We went to Gatti Town ( a nicer version of Chuck-E-Cheese). Of course Gracie won this game with the help of DaddyHer favorite thing to do was ride the merry-go-round. She won that little doll on the game she played with Ben and wouldn't let it down the rest of the day.

We went on a cute little train ride that they turned into the polar express. It was fun to sing Christmas songs on the train and see Santa.