{{merry christmas!!}}

This is the first year that we are celebrating Christmas by ourselves. It was lonely and a little sad... but we are having a great time creating new memories!!

Last night we had our traditional Mexican food dinner. I made a huge pot of beans, and laid all the stuff out to make whatever we wanted: big daddies (fried flour tortillas like a tostada), burritos, frito w/ beans in a bowl, etc. I made a side of guacamole (love that avocado's are so cheap here in Texas!).

We also had our traditional nut in the pudding game. This game came from England on Mike's family, and the entire clan has played this game since... forever. :) Katie asked us to do this game (which we were going to do anyways). I accidentally bought the pudding you had to cook, so that took a bit (argh!) of time. We finally played, and Katie won the prize!! The prize was the game of Life. We had a great time playing Christmas Eve this game.

This morning we were woken up by our late sleeper (aka Katie). She normally sleeps in until 11 a.m. if I let her, but this morning she woke up E-A-R-L-Y!! So, we got up and went to see what Santa left the girls for Christmas!! Madison had asked for an American Girl Bitty Baby doll, and Katie... well, Katie had an off the wall request for Santa, to which he didn't respond but by saying "ha!". She wanted a million dollars, her own room, a plasma TV for her wall among other frivolous items... so her request was put on the naughty list. :) She had to settle for an Ipod Nano. :) She was thrilled with this gift! and Mom had to figure out how to work it all this morning and do the whole itunes thing. I have a severe headache now. :)

The girls have had a great Christmas. Maddie is in love w/ her new baby, which she is calling "Emily Rose". I just love her expression as she is holding her baby. I caught it at the right time she saw it and picked it up. Truly a child who loves this doll!! I also made a small quilt & pillow for the baby.

Katie is bopping to her ipod (she already misplaced it once this morning, which made me question WHY she even got this gift). We bought her an Ipod docking station that will charge her ipod, and is also an alarm clock, radio player, etc. It works, so I'm thrilled I don't have to make a trip to Target to wait in line to take it back.

To our family & friends: MERRY CHRISTMAS! Wished we were home again to visit w/ everyone. :)