Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas!  It was fun seeing Samantha come down to Santa's gifts - she was enamored with HoHo leading up to Christmas, so she was very aware this year that HoHo was coming to see her.  We also talked with her about Jesus and how it was His birthday on Christmas.  It was great to see her begin to appreciate both of these special parts of Christmas. 

While it is not about the presents, it was fun to see her rip into her gifts and play with her toys.  At times it was overwhelming for her and we took much needed rest and play breaks - which were wonderful.  I also got to bring a piece of my family's tradition to the Newbrough, with my Mom's beloved Sausage fondue that morning (missed you Mama) - a tradition I want to be a part of Samantha's Christmas every year.  :)  We missed my family, but were grateful to be surrounded by many loved ones and to see Samantha relishing in the day.

Keith's family made Christmas very special and of course spoiled our little girl - she is very lucky to be surrounded by so much love! 

 Santa brought this cool fashion tent with working runway lights and can be plugged into an mp3 player (or Ipod) to play music.  That way Samantha could strut down the runway with all her new dress up clothes.  :)

 Playing in her tent with baby Mickey

 Some toys from Santa and Nana & Papa.  This was a great toy that changes from a kitchen to a baby care center, to a school, to a doctor center - she loved it!  Thanks - we love and missed you Nana and Papa

 Get goofy with her new microphone - this way she can sing louder and with her press of her foot have a backup band.  Too cool!  :)

 Daddy sporting the PJs I picked out for him "What happens under the mistletoe, stays under the mistletoe" - his only complaint...next year get him PJ pants with a button.  ;)  hehe  Also, Mickey was not his present, Samantha put him in the pic.

 Sadie tearing through the gifts - hysterical to watch

 Our little chef  ;)  Thanks Nana & Papa for the new baking set  :)

 Papaw Newbrough sporting his Christmas PJs and a smile - thank you Papaw for all the wonderful gifts and memories - we love you dearly!

 Daddy's face shows how difficult it is to get to these kids' gifts - they pack and zip tie them well.  ;)  Thanks Yaya and Papaw for the cool guitar.  :)

 Karen (Yaya) opening a special necklace from Ken - Christmas is also Karen's birthday, so we had a lot of celebrating to do.  We hope you had a special birthday, Yaya!

 Christmas was so special and so exhausting.....

Thank you to all our family - near and far!  You all made Christmas so special and we love you all dearly!  We are so blessed to have you all in our lives!

And a big thank you to God that Samantha did not come home wondering when she was getting more presents - between an early birthday in NC in November, a birthday party on Dec 21 (early) in WV, us singing happy birthday to her on Dec 22 (her real birthday), and Christmas - whew - I thought for sure, she would think this was a daily event.  Thankfully, she was happy as a clam -- good thing, because we are now officially broke.  ;)