Santa came!

Santa stopped by our house while the girls were sleeping and brought some pretty cool presents.

Ainsley woke up Christmas morning and when I told her Santa came, her eyes got big and she was excited.  She couldn't wait to go down to the basement and see what Santa brought.

She walked down the stairs and ran over to the play house.  She walked in it and asked if Santa brought it.  I told her that Santa did bring it, and Ainsley looked around the little house in amazement and excitedly said:  "THANK YOU, SANTA!"  It was so cute!

The main thing she asked for leading up to Christmas was a "Mickey bike", which is actually a tricycle.  Santa searched high and low for the tricycle she wanted, but they don't sell it anymore.  Instead, she got a Minnie tricycle.  It took her awhile to see her new tricycle, but since it wasn't the Mickey bike she wasn't very excited. 

She kept asking if Santa brought all of her presents as she opened them.  After she opened the Bubble Guppies water color paint book, she was pretty much done with everything else.  She didn't even want to open the rest of her presents.  She wanted to go upstairs and paint! 

Lily loved opening the presents and actually opened a few of them by herself.  Of course, I think it was just so she could have some paper to put in her mouth, but it was fun to watch her get excited!

Ainsley had to unwrap a few gifts inside her house.

Santa brought Lily an activity cube, and both girls loved it.  I think Ainsley may like it more than Lily!

Getting both girls to sit and look at the camera is impossible.  I really don't know why I even try.  Maybe one of these days I'll get them both looking AND smiling for the camera.

Dad came up Christmas morning to watch the girls open presents, so I had him snap a quick family picture of us.  The girls did sit somewhat still for a minute while Dad tried to figure out the camera.

I think Lily could have played with all the new toys in the basement for awhile that morning, but Ainsley was itching to get upstairs and paint!

Papa Bill and Lily playing in their new house

We ate some breakfast and then the girls played with some of their new toys.  It was so nice to not have to rush around and have multiple places to go.  We went to Jim and Rita's for the afternoon, but didn't have to be there until early afternoon.  Ainsley realized it was Christmas Day, which meant she could finally put the STAR on the advent calendar. 

Christmas Eve

We had a pretty relaxed Christmas Eve.  Ainsley and I baked some cookies and then the girls took a long nap that afternoon.  When they woke up, we got ready and headed to Jennifer and Brian's for the evening.

 

Ainsley followed the big kids up to the playroom and we didn't see her for most of the night.  Poor Lily was stuck with the grown ups.

Ainsley loves the ornaments on Aunt Fer's tree

I told Ainsley that Santa may stop by and she was excited about it.  That is, until he actually showed up.  Then she was skeptical. 

Sitting back watching Santa

Grandma Rita and Lily watching

Santa's Elf even showed up, and I have to say....he has some pretty nice legs!

The bigger kids started climbing on Santa's lap, and Ainsley just watched.

Drake and Santa

Ainsley didn't want to get too close to Santa...she RAN to get by him!

Lani and Santa

Lily and Santa

Ashton telling Santa she wanted a car for Christmas

Brianna with Santa

Ainsley didn't want to get too close to Santa, but she didn't have a choice when Aunt Jennifer and Brianna stuck her on his lap, along with poor Avelyn.  Both Ainsley and Avelyn were not happy about sitting on Santa's lap!

Avelyn, Brianna, and Santa

Ainsley and Avelyn wanted off!

Papa Jim comforting Ainsley after she sat on Santa's lap

Santa's elf needed to visit with him before Santa handed out gifts.

Jeremy the Elf and Santa

It didn't take Ainsley long to run up to Santa to get her gift.  We couldn't believe it, but she ran right up to him.  Of course, she didn't stay any longer than was necessary to grab the gift and run off as fast as she could.

She ran to get Lily's present, too!

Jennifer started a tradition last year of reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" on Christmas Eve.  Brian read it last year, and it was Jeremy's turn this year (hence him dressing up in the lovely Elf shorts). 

After Jeremy was done reading it, Ainsley ran over, grabbed the book and acted like she was reading it to everyone.  She did the same thing last year too! 

It was late, and the girls were tired, so we headed home so we could get in bed and wait for Santa.  Both girls fell asleep on the way home, and Ainsley woke up for a little bit once we got home.  She was laying in bed with Joel and I asked her if she wanted to help me put milk and cookies out for Santa, but her reply was:  "No, Mommy.....you do it."  She was so tired she didn't even want to get out of bed.  So, I ended up putting milk and cookies out for Santa by myself.  There's always next year...