Merry Christmas!

After our big dinner on Christmas Eve, we vowed to keep Christmas a more low key affair this year. No huge meals, no invited guests. Just our little family, and a very chilled day. And it was perfect. We also keyed back on gifts this year. . . . Santa brought the girls a shared DS, and I made them super hero capes. Less presents meant less mess, which meant less opening annoying toy packaging, which means less accumulation in our home. Less was definitely more for us this year, and I didn't hear a single complaint!

Christmas morning with us all looking our finest. I love Maddie's face in this one, she was so ready to rip into her present.

Maddie's prized Christmas present. This cute dog sings songs, and can even be programmed to say Madeline's name. She loves her new puppy!

The girls with stuffed animals from their Mama and Papa Bear. They sure know the key to these girls hearts. . . . not only are they pink, they have HUGE blue eyes. Pretty perfect for my blue eyed girls!

The gift they were hoping Santa would bring, but that they were worried they would not get.

Tooth brush from the stocking. Emily pointed out to me that Santa always brings an electronic toothbrush in the stocking (unbeknownst to be . . . guess the big guy made a habit without even realizing it). She told me she thinks it is because Santa doesn't think the ones I buy are good enough. Whew. Good thing Santa is looking out for them!

The carnage at it's height. And the cat sleeping in the entertainment center if you look closely enough. She likes to sleep on the warm cable box. . . the girls have taken to referring to it as her bedroom.

Maddie with her "two babies." Last year Santa brought her a baby doll just like the one in the pink gown (which belongs to Hannah). She adored it, and somehow lost it. This year Santa replaced it with the one with hair. Not a popular choice. Apparently dolls with hair freak her out. Sadly this doll will soon find itself relegated to a give away pile. Looks like we need to work harder to find a more suitable replacement. . . . Hannah's bound to want her baby back any day now.

Matching doll/girl jammies courtesy of Nana and Grandpa.

Emily and Ruthie

Super hero capes. Note the thumb sucking, I know it freaks some people out, but I find it endearing.

Back of super hero capes. Reversible with Batman on one side and Super Man (or woman) on the other. Madeline, as you can see, has yet to master the concept of "show me the back."

She did get the concept of "I'm going to get you!"

Matching dresses from Nana. Good thing this next one is a boy. . . can you imagine four matching girls?! Now that would have been trouble.