December 25, 2017

Merry Christmas 2017

We had our first Christmas at home this year because I was on call for Christmas eve and day.  Luckily for us, the Scheer and Schneider families came to Charlotte to celebrate.  The night before Christmas, Harper left a glass of milk, some of Grandma's yummy cookies, and carrots for Santa and his reindeer.  She was quite surprised in the morning when the treats were munched on!  Harper was so very excited that after a month of having gifts under the tree, she could finally open her pile.  After a quick present opening session at our house, we went over to the Scheer's condo for more Santa presents.
   
Harper had to sample the cookies before leaving them out for Santa.
         
Santa came!!
    
Merry Christmas morning!
     
    
    
Finally opening presents!
    
       
    
The remote control car was a big hit!!
    
Alex got a certificate for a time trial in a race car on the Charlotte Motor Speedway!
    
Christmas with the Scheers!
    
     

December 17, 2017

Early Christmas

We celebrated Christmas at my parent's house this weekend.  Harper had the most wonderful time opening all her gifts.  We all must have been very good this year because we got amazing things!  It was fun celebrating early because now we can watch the new Christmas movies and read the Christmas books we received for the rest of the season!
    
First look at all the gifts!!
   
    
Harper would shout, "I love it!" before she even got to the present.  I have never seen someone enjoy opening gifts as much as Harper did.
      
     
     
     
    
   
So many fun new toys!  
    
   
    
     
Our favorite thing to do is read and Harper received so many nice books for Christmas.
    
Alex is super excited for the Hornets tickets he got!
    
 Little musician
     
 Sticker lover
       
Reading with Great Grandma
      
    
Aunt Chris and Uncle Paul were in town for the weekend.  We had dinner at Grandma's house Saturday with the whole family. 
     
     
     

December 13, 2017

Christmas Gardens

We went to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens again this year with the Moynihans.  We have been going here at Christmas time since the babies were six months old!  It was pretty chilly this year which made it feel extra Christmasy.  We also always get a photo with Santa Claus, which has gone really well in the past.  This year, Harper was not a fan.  We are happy to have such a nice tradition with our friends.  We all decided that this year was the most fun so far, but also the most tiring.
   
They have a choo-choo train circling the yard when you first go back into the gardens.  The kids spent twenty minutes chasing it around.
    
Winter wonderland
    
    
    
It was harder to get our annual "kids in a Christmas tree" picture with two active babies.
    
    
    
    
    
     
    
    
    
     
    
     
    
Harper loved the water fountain.  It didn't bother her that it was twenty degrees outside or that running under the fountain sprays you with water.  She ran back and forth many times.
    
    
    
    
     
Harper girl
    
    
    
     
  
Our family Christmas picture!