This Christmas was extra special, because it was our first as a family of 4. My favorite times were leading up to Christmas; all the preparing, making cookies, decorating, seeing lights, etc. We did these more this year than we ever have and it was so fun to see how excited Audrey was this year to help out and get involved. Steve calls her my mini me :) I love that I can share traditions that I had with my family with her and eventually Ezra. It's also been neat to talk with her about why we celebrate Christmas and I think she's really understanding the Gospel more clearly. One tradition Steve and I started 3 years ago was going to Starbucks Christmas morning. It's great to just be us in the busyness of the day, to carve out just a small chunk of time to be warm and cozy and to enjoy each other.
Looking back on 2011, we see how the Lord orchestrated so much all at once. We walked, confused at times, as to what He was doing but His personal care and love for us abounded. We are so thankful for the road blocks he put up and the doors that He opened. We're grateful for all the new relationships He's brought us and the old ones He's continuing to strengthen and grow, especially our marriage. What a compassionate and loving God we serve. We are so excited to see how He will work in us and through us this coming year! Blessings to you and yours in 2012!
Audrey couldn't open the boxes of ornaments fast enough! She decorated the majority of the tree herself.
The on lookers, E holding his first ornament from last year
Sneaky E trying to take a grab at all the prettiness
Cozy
1st Christmas cookie
Meticulous like her Mama
Proud baker
Little Christmas Gnome
Squeezable
Annual trip to Waxhaw with Steve's fam.
A crafting
We made paper ornaments
"It's snowing!"
Steve had surgery on his hand to remove a bone mass and cyst
Marshmallow snowman craft
Someone's drooling
Got one!
Ezra's first ever Christmas gift
cousins
Audrey's first Starbucks drink
After the Panther's Christmas Eve game
Stinker not wanting to sit still for a picture
Sibling love
1st Christmas to share together
3 generations
Far Far trying to get E to walk
My love
This was taken Christmas morning. We had to wake Audrey up, for the 4th year in a row.
E enjoying A's new kitchen aka new drum
Mr. Hankey, the Christmas poo
Chef Audrey
Loves all things princess
E's new blankie from Auntie
Barbie and Ken dance champs
Gift chaos
Groggy family Christmas picture (it's a must)
Find the baby
I am so blessed by these 3
Us
The Nilsen men
Audrey enjoyed her muffin. A lot.
Too sweet
Love captured moments like these
My heart is full
Making delectable treats
Baby's 1st Christmas ornie from us
He approved
Double trouble
Racing into the new year
