christmas 2012 ~

our 2012 christmas card (designed by my sweet niece, elise):

our backyard:

our tree:

our card on our tree : )

our elf, fred charles .....

homemade hmong dolls, a gift for ella and zoe
from my former teaching partner ia, handmade
by her mom.   LOVE these!!

mini american girl dolls the girls bought
for each other ....

decorating gingerbread cookies on christmas eve .....

my three favorite people : )

ella watching her christmas eve message from santa ....

with anticipation ....

total happiness ......

... and pure joy when santa gave her the green light for super
behavior during the year!!

zoe's turn with fingers crossed, a bit anxious hoping she
got the green light too ....

starting to relax when she realized she was in the clear ..... : )

leaving reindeer dust around our house ....

christmas eve gifts -- lots of great books ....

posing with new pajamas .....

reading with a decorated daddy ....

and finally, christmas morning santa fun

(the reindeer magic worked)!!