Christmas Afternoon

Christmas Day we went to my folks house. The morning started with homemade cinnamon buns, opening our stockings, and opening a ton of Christmas presents. My parents were so generous. Lily got a bunch of fun toys, new food and snacks in her stocking, and new comfy jammies. I got a bunch of stuff for our kitchen and the best gift ever.....a clairasonic. Its the same brush that they use to clean your face when you get a facial at a spa. Its amazing! Brad was spoiled rotten. He got Seahawks gear and best of all a set of golf clubs that he has been eye balling forever now. I love spending Christmas day with my family...I wish my sister was here to spend it with us, but she said she'll be here for Lily's first birthday and I can't wait! My parents also told us that they are going to come to our house next year and celebrate Christmas Day at our home and then she'll teach me how to make her famous Prime Rib. Yummy. I have such amazing parents. Love you mom and dad.

Santa Baby Grandma playing with LilyFeeding Lily her ba ba

Opening her stocking Lily's special Christmas jammiesReindeer Baby

Lily's First Christmas Morning

Waking up Christmas morning 2010 was more exciting than being a little girl and running down the stairs to see what Santa brought. I can't describe the feeling of watching my baby girl look up at our tree , try to touch the lights, and crawl toward her presents. She was so adorable to watch. She would crawl over to the package rip it open and then play with the paper :) We opened gifts at our home that morning and then we were off to Grandma and Poppy's house!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we started the night having a meal over at Mom and Dad Tesch's house. It was nice to sit around the table and have good conversation. After that we took a break so that we could all go to Christmas Eve church services. As you can tell, it was during Lily's bed time.

Lily wasn't waiting on Santa Brad, Lily, and IKisses from Mommy and DaddyWhen we got back we started to open presents. Brad and I are trying to save money so we decided to just buy one gift for each couple and then gifts for the kids. So I wanted to make it a good one. We had family pictures taken a few months back by my Cousin Charrone. So we bought canvas family pictures for their homes. I think they liked them!

Grace, Audrey, and Ezra watching Lily eat her sweet pea doll with Aunt Anna

Lily got all sorts of adorable little toys and books, Brad got a few books and a belt buckle from this awesome store that we went to when we were in Hawaii from his sister, and I got an itunes gift card that I have lost! Its somewhere, I just don't remember where I put it. I also got this necklace with angel wings on it that I love, it goes with everything. Having both families in the same town is great around the holidays.

Santa Baby

We spent some time with our good friends the Gaeta's. We went over to the Christmas Village and saw the animals and attempted to go see Santa. When we walked in there was a really weird looking Santa......obviously an impersonater :) There was also a really tall frosty the snowman and it totally creeped me out. I'm not normally freaked out by mascots but this one was weird. We looked all over and finally found Santa Claus! Lily was excited to see him and even tugged on his beard to make sure he was real. Experiencing these type of milestones as a parent is so much fun. I love being her mommy. I would like to start a few Christmas traditions. One idea is to make Cookies for santa together and set out the cookies and milk just in case he needs a snack when he drops off her presents :)

Women's Tea

Our church hosted a Christmas tea so I thought it would be fun to do a table. Since Brad would never let me decorate our home hot pink for Christmas I thought it would be the perfect opportunity. I used our plates and mugs that we got as a wedding gift, bought hot pink napkins, ribbon, and ornaments....threw them in a square vase that I have as a centerpiece. I had pink notebooks for each of the guests at my table to help them organize for the New Year....told you it was a Nikki table. I also made pink cupcakes, just cause they are fun :) What do you think?

Earth Has No Sorrow That Heaven Cannot Heal

Today is the anniversary of my Poppy's death. He has been gone for 18 years now. Its hard to believe. I can still remember stories he told me or the day he sold his boat....his big smile and watching WWF with him on TV. It seems like just yesterday. Every time I go to Newfoundland I make it a point to go visit my Poppy and say a little prayer. I like to think that he's my angel and is always watching over me. I love you and miss you so much. This was taken 2 years ago. Notice the quote on the bottom of the headstone. One of my favorites, "Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal." I think it may be my next tattoo.