Our Christmas

So here's our little family's Christmas:

Annika's avant garde Christmas decorating.

Something we hope to make a tradition: a special present from Daddy. The girls got chairs with their names on them. Annika's reaction when Andy brought them upstairs? She gasped and was so excited. That is the exact reaction you want!

We opened our stockings on New Year's Day.

Another tradition we have is Daddy buying stocking stuffers for everyone. One of Annika's was this hat and mittens. She loves it.

Alexa tries it on.

Such a great Christmas!

Christmases

I've realized I miss a lot of photo opportunities-

I completely missed getting any photos at some gatherings. But here's what I did get!

The girls with their cousins at our Feucht Christmas Annika and Jake
So sweet together

One of their Christmas gifts

Alexa hanging out- I think this is while the adults were enjoying our new tradition-

making pizzas! Mom and Dad had out a spread of toppings, and we made all kinds of pizzas. I think mine had regular sauce plus pesto, sausage, spinach, cheese...yummy.

All of us kids and grandkids

Grandma Joy made us afghans for a gift, and here we are modeling them.

:)

Our little family Christmas pics to come later...

Annika's Birthday (Finally)

**Warning: long post!**
(and sorry it took me so long!)
So on December 12th we had a fun day with our birthday girl!

(I had been skeptical because she was slightly under the weather.)

On the way to Krispy Kreme

She chose sprinkles.
Cute moment with Daddy
Getting distracted by sprinkles

"Can Daddy have a bite?"

sparkly birthday shoes

"How old are you, Annika? Can you hold up two fingers?"

tea party set; one of her gifts- she loves her cups

(this is not the last you've seen of the tea party set...)

Her birthday cake by the fabulous Erin (it had a yummy strawberry layer inside-delish)

digging in early; and she brought her teapot

The girls had their first bathtime together! Annika wasn't sure about it, but Alexa was fascinated!

(Note the tea party continues.)

sharing a cup of tea

We put her to bed at Mom & Dad's in her new sleeping bag. About an hour later, she was still awake, chatting away in there, so Mom went in to lay with her for awhile. No change... So then I went in and talked to her about her day. I would talk and talk about all the great things she did, the gifts she got... and she would respond with "cup and spoon," said oh-so-reverently.

(In case you haven't caught on by now, she loves cups!)

I don't know if it was the sugar, the excitement, confusion about the new sleeping arrangements, or something else, but a few hours after bedtime, the sweet girl was still not sleeping... so we gave up on the sleeping bag idea, and then she finally went to sleep.

What a blessed day with our two year old!

Tomorrow...

Annika Joy turns two.

Two years ago tomorrow, when she arrived, I experienced a rush of emotions I was not expecting... and the Lord has taken me on a journey in Mommyhood I did not see coming. What a gift.

Oh, Annika. I am so thankful for you.

You remind me to laugh, and that being silly never gets old...

and it makes me laugh when you start to cry and then get distracted by something and totally forget you were upset...

I love that you can play all day with just your Tupperware cups and a spoon.

I love your resourcefulness and creativity... how boxes are for playing in, and buttons can be cookies that are "yummeeeee" or flowers that "'mell. good."

I love that you are SUCH a sweet big sister. You make each other giggle and I thank the Lord for the fun you have and are yet to have...

I love that you are starting to love books... and I love when you say the words along with me:
"Chicka, chicka... BOOM BOOM!"

I love that you love your desserts: "more? Pease? more? pease?" and will do or say almost anything to get more.

(Daddy makes you say "I love you" before most bites.)

I love that you love to dance with me: "Mama? Dance."

It doesn't get much better than dancing with you while praising the Lord and laughing... those are the moments where I think "wow, and Heaven is going to be better than this...!"

What joy.
Love you, sweet girl!

Five Months Old

Annika added the hat.

Sisterly love

(this is one of the many kisses Alexa gets attacked with throughout her day!)

Ava helping... it worked out good for me!

My (newly engaged!) dear friend Amy came by to meet Alexa last weekend.

We love her! (and we like her Andy too!)