Christmas

Wow!  Where did Christmas break go?  It's over, but we are excited for the new possibilities in 2012. 

I didn't get a ton of great pictures.  I guess I was too busy catching up with family and friends. 

Here's some Christmas break stats:

1 - sick night (Christmas Eve night was not so fun)

2 - play dates with friends we love!

3 - trips around Missouri (Purdy, Lebanon, and the Lake)

4 - new barbies (plus plenty of clothes, car, fashion awards, etc.)

5 - new animals (Brielle's very own Smooch, 2 stuffed bunnies, hamster, and a Critter Clinic)

6 - wonderful "cousins" to play with - (Kathryn, Lydia, Alex, Thomas, Simon, Silas)

7 - new clothes (including pajamas, a dress, sequin belts, new tights, and a dance outfit)

8 - planets that shine on Brielle's ceiling from her new space alarm clock - 8 planets since "Pluto is a dwarf planet" (Brielle's words)

9 - days off to spend together - Pure Joy!

To the Moon and Back - the amount of love from the whole family - It was a blessing to spend Christmas with so many family members (Grandma, Papa, Grandma Carolyn, G, ALL 6 of the great grandparents, Aunt Samantha, Uncle Jake, Aunt Tiffany, Uncle Jay,  MANY cousins, aunts, uncles, and more!)

Family Christmas at home

Thanks Aunt Jill and Uncle Scott! 

Loves her new girl! 

Playing with one of her new Barbies and the new car.  Check out the awesome Hello Kitty slippers from Uncle Jake and Aunt Samantha!  Brielle wears them all of the time! 

Thank you letter time!  Each year gets better and better.  This year she "signs" her own name and it is readable.   

Grandma Carolyn and Brielle in their fun hats!  Thanks for the new crown and all of the new princess items! Brielle did a great job of playing Santa at the Klugs.  You could hear "Thank You" very loud.

All smiles with Aunt Tiffany and Uncle Jay!  Thanks for Smooch and the critter clinic!  Perfect present!

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Fishburn - Brielle ran to give them hugs and was a pure delight.  They loved hearing all about the planets and a little of her planet song.   

Grandma and Brielle LOVE making pie crust together.  "Grammy can we make pie crust yet?" 

We listened to a lot of Christmas music this year.  I think the following song by Ray Charles sums up my sentiments:
Christmas is the time of year
For being with the one's we love
Sharing so much joy and cheer
What a wonderful feelin
Watching the one's we love
Having so much fun

I was sittin by the fire side
Taking a walk through the snow
Listening to a children's choir
Singing songs about Jesus
The blessed way that he came to us
Why can't it remain
All through the year
Each day the same
Heyeah, that's what I wanna hear
Heh heh
It's truly amazin
That spirit of Christmas

All the kin folk gather round
The lovely Christmas tree
Hearts are glowing full of joy
Sense the gifts that we're giving
And the love that we're living
Why can't it remain
Ohhh all through the year
Each day the same
Heyeah, that's what I wanna hear
I'll tell ya
It's truly amazin
That spirit of Christmas

Let me hear ya
Why can't it remain
All through the year
Each day the same
That's what I wanna hear
Listen to me
It's truly amazin
That spirit of Christmas
Ohhh It's truly amazin
That spirit of Christmas
Ain't it so
It's truly amazin
Yeah, that spirit of Christmas
Oh Christmas
Oh Christmas
Merry Christmas!

Happy 2012!