It is hard to believe that 2012 is almost over, and we are about to start a brand new year. I honestly do not have any complaints about this past year. I pray I will be able to say the same thing this time next year. I decided to do a top ten of my favorites events in the year 2012.
10. Surprising the girls with tickets to the Justin Bieber concert.
9. Elia's 10th birthday and Ava's 8th birthday. They are definitely growing up way too fast!
8. Playing in the Cove
7. Pool and Water Time
6. Spring Break in Gatlinburg with Kevin
5. Black Friday Shopping
4. Watching the Girls Play Soccer
3. Kaitlin's Graduation
2. The Carter's 50th Wedding Anniversary
1. Ava's Baptism
We truly have a lot to be thankful for this past year!
Happy New Year!!!!
We had a wonderful Christmas this year! I can honestly say I don't think I have ever felt more blessed! I have a wonderful husband and two healthy, beautiful girls!
We started Christmas off on Christmas Eve at my mom's house.
All 6 grandkids were ready to open gifts, but we had to eat lunch first!
The teacher in my mom came out when it was time for the kids to play Santa and pass out presents. She gave specific directions about where everyone was to put everything. Anyone wonder where I get this from?
Before we opened gifts, my dad read the bible story of the true meaning of Christmas.
I love this picture of Elia listening to the story.
Once we heard the story of Jesus' birth, it was time to open presents. Hannah got some good stuff from Grammy and Papa.
Ava loved her sleeping bag and her journal from Justice.
She also loved her Praise songs with guitar. It's a little like guitar hero but you hook it to your computer and it is praise songs. She loves it!
Ava has become obsessed with anything related to the Titanic, Pearl Harbor, and 911. I guess we have a history buff on our hands. Grammy got Ava some books and the Titanic movie. She was a happy girl for sure!
I love this picture of Ava talking to Nana, her great grandmother. Ava was asking Nana if she was alive when the Titanic sunk and how old she was and how much she remembers about it, etc. It was very sweet.
It was finally Elia's turn to open her gifts. She loved her soccer shirt and Hollister bag.
Once we left my mom's house, we all put on our pajamas and watched the movie Elf while we waited for Santa. Then we set our milk and cookies and got ready for bed.
We told the girls they had to wait until the sun came up before they could get out of bed. Ava couldn't stand it another minute and she was up at 6:40. I love that the girls still get so excited about Santa.
Both girls were super excited about their Ipods, and Ava was more than excited about her real electric guitar.
Miley was good this year too so Santa didn't forget about her.
We checked to make sure Santa found his milk and cookies, and sure he enough, he did!
Once the excitement of Santa had subsided, the girls wanted to open presents from us. Of course, they couldn't put their Ipods down long enough to focus.
Elia was excited about her pink Ripstik.
Both girls were super excited about their tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters on January 12.
Once all the presents were opened, cleaned up, and put away, Kevin's side of the family came over to celebrate Christmas. We had a nice dinner and we celebrated Kaitlin's 19th birthday as well.
I think Miley found the coziest spot of the night! She was one worn out puppy!
Like I said, we are one blessed family and I pray that next Christmas brings another year of health and happiness!
