One BIG Christmas Post

We survived another Christmas and this year was the best yet!  We had so much fun watching Peyton getting

excited over opening her gifts as well as everyone else's.

 We spent Christmas Eve relaxing and eating breakfast for dinner.  Aunt Amanda and Peyton even found time to paint their nails.

 It was Peyton's first time and she was thrilled!

Mr. Tim made a surprise visit and since he had to leave Christmas morning we let him open his gifts.  We also let Peyton open one gift, a baby Belle from Beauty and the Beast.  It was a special gift from Tim to Peyton.

 Her first glimpse of what Santa brought on Christmas morning.

 Her very first Barbie doll courteousy of Granny.

 Papa and Grandma got Peyton her very first cowgirl hat with a pair of new boots to match.

 And Nana and Grumps help complete the ensemble by getting her a pair of boot cut jeans that she wore the entire day after Christmas with her boots.

We had such a wonderful holiday with, Papa, Grandma, Grumps, Nana, Granny, Mr. Tim and Aunt Amanda!  Peyton got too many gifts to name them all but she does have some favorites....her boots, cowgirl hat, keyboard with microphone, Barbie doll and a surprise gift that I will post about soon.  Thank you all so much for making our little girls Christmas so special!

I can't help myself

Christmas brings out the best in me as a Mom, friend and relative.  I thrive on decorating the house to the max and picking out the perfect gifts for my loved ones.  I spend hours planning meals and Christmas outings to see lights and Santa.  And while all my festive cheer may be fun and laughs for Peyton, my poor husband probably does not see my enthusiasm for the holiday quite the same.  I am pretty sure he is ready for me to put my Justin Bieber Christmas CD away until 2012. 

No chance babe, you have 12 more days to go!

I know one day he will look back and be thankful for all the memories we have made during my oh-so-festive holidays.  For example, our White Elephant Party a few weeks ago.  It was just a small group of friends and their kids but we had a blast!

 Here is Mr. Aidan looking very dapper in his shirt and tie.

 Peyton is showing off her sparkly red shoes.

 Sweet Olivia with the cutest little pout.

 And what's a party without Liam!?!?

 This next set of pictures cracks me up.  Peyton wanted to pose in fromt of all of our decorations.  However, her pose does not include a smile.  As soon as I put the camera down she would giggle and ham it up, then when I went to snap the shot that is the look I got.

 Just when Mike thinks he has endured every Christmas tradition I have up my sleeve he is hit with the dreaded Santa visit. 

 I have talked to Peyton about Santa relentlessly for a month now.  I have explained that he brings toys to all the children, he has reindeer, loves cookies and is a nice man. 

 And yet after all our chats I knew my little one was not convinced.

 That was as close as she would get.  And I can guarantee that if we would have placed her on his lap the scream could be hear at the North Pole.  She had a death grip on her Daddy, which was sweet.  Because Daddy's arms are the safest place to be around bearded strangers.

 The Hassen's met us to see Santa and little Kenley Lou was a BIG fan! 

 To round out our weekend we had Christmas on Sunday with Ms. Debbie and Aunt "Cole" & Uncle "Raig"

 Ms. Debbie got Peyton her very first dollhouse, which she hasn't stopped playing with. It makes noises, the doorbell rings, the bathtub splashes and the toilet flushes.  For some reason the only person Peyton pretends to put on the potty is Daddy.  She says, "Mom, look, Daddy potties". I ask her if the baby goes or the mommy and she says, "No, Daddy potties".  I wonder where she would get the idea that her Daddy spends alot of time on the potty?

 Our tree!

Well that's it.  That is all the craziness leading up to today.  Aunt Amanda is on her way and the countdown has begun.  We hope everyone has a woonderful and happy holiday filled with good food, friends and family. 

Merry Christmas to all!  Lots of love, Mike, Tiffany & Peyton

Happy Birthday Papa

Today was Papa's day. 

 Life with a toddler means you never know how the day will turn out.  Will they be grouchy, clingy, happy or mad?  I can tell you any day Peyton spends with Papa at the farm will result in a great day!

 Today, on Papa's birthday, Peyton rode a horse for the first time.  It took a little coaxing but being the brave little soul that she is, she got on the horse, first with me and then with Heather.

 She was so happy and relaxed.  At one point she looked like she was in a trance.  Maybe it was the motion of the horse or just the sheer delight of the experience, either way she was happy.

 All of us want her to grow up around the horses without fear and with a genuine love for the amazing animals they are.

 Today proved once again that she has the spirit and love for animals deep in her heart.  I could see the pride bursting from Papa.

I can't begin to put into words they way I would like what these pictures of the two of them mean to me. They take me back to a time when I was his little girl and I thought he was the strongest and bravest man that ever lived.  And now I get to see through her eyes the same youthful admiration I had so many years ago.

Truth be told I still think of my Dad as the strongest and bravest man I know but now I get to see him differently, as a Grandpa.  And Grandpa's are the best!

 They let you boss them around and the never say no.

 They are never too tired or too busy to do what you want.

 And they never run out of hugs and kisses.

 Grandpa's (Papa's) are who you want by your side when you need a friend and you need someone to love you unconditionally.

 And thank goodness for Peyton she has the two very best!

 When we left the farm today Papa hugged Peyton and said, "You were the best birthday gift ever!".  I believed him because he never looks happier then when she is by his side.

Happy Birthday Papa/Dad!  We love you more than you will ever know!

Mike, Tiffany & Peyton