Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve day Lyla and I stayed home and played with all of her new toys from the Feliz Navidad party.  We got up and put together her new pram for Baby Danielle and then the three of us made biscuits together. Danielle loved them and ate several. We also made cookies for Santa! Hearts with blue icing and rainbow sprinkles.

Lyla also enjoyed taking pictures with her new camera from Emily and Ryan. She is loving taking pictures, but we haven't hooked it up to the computer yet to see what they look like. Either way, now she's got her own camera. I can't wait to see her photos throughout the year!

And, of course, she continued her musical stylings by playing me some songs on her coveted kitty piano. She's getting quite good at the features and likes to sing along with the songs.

We got together with the Thornburg side of the family at April and Burt's in the evening and had a great time enjoying the conversation, appetizers and Burt's awesome gift exchange game. Sadly, we didn't get any pictures. Lyla had a good time playing with the kids and didn't want to leave because she was coloring with Peyton, Abby and Amanda. Good to know she gets along so well with her cousins.

When we got home, Lyla had a card from Santa waiting for her in the mail. He said to be sure to leave some cookies. Good thing we made some earlier in the day!

Christmas morning Lyla was excited to see that Santa liked her cookies and the reindeer liked their carrots and water. Her favorite stocking stuffer was some body wash -- he knows just what she likes! After Masud got home, we tripped it to Gibbon for the Johnson family Christmas. There was lots of food and fun as usual, and presents galore. As we passed out gifts, we asked -- is there a Lyla here? and she would yell "Yes! Me! Right Here!" She thought it was the greatest. Opening presents was her favorite part.

Henry liked hiding in the open boxes.

After gift opening, I enjoyed reading my new cookbook while Lyla watched Max and Ruby with Great Grandma and had a butter bread snack. Someone insisted on a 4 generation picture.

The day was a lot of fun and we had a great time. Everyone liked their gifts and we got to spend time as a family. Merry Christmas (a little late, I know) to all our friends and family! We are blessed to have many many wonderful people in our lives.

AND, Congratulations to Stacy and Chris on your Christmas-time engagement! We're so excited for you and can't wait for the wedding!