Holiday Traditions

As Christmas quickly approaches, we have continued several of our family traditions this season. Christmas is always a special and exciting time for us as we celebrate the birth of Christ with family and friends. However, it has been especially entertaining this year to see Hannah as she now understands what is going on around her and begins to participate in our traditions.....putting up the tree, visiting Santa, wrapping gifts, and playing with the "unbreakable" baby Jesus. Oh and we can't forget singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" at least 20 times a day as well as watching "Dora Christmas" and "Rudolf" over and over. Thanks for the movies Mom and Dad!  As you will see, she's not much for smiling in her pictures anymore.  When we visited my family over Thanksgiving she became good buddies with her Aunt Creighton (my younger sister).  She refused to let anyone do anything for her besides Aunt Creighton (and occasionally Nana) and even insisted that she sit with her in Santa's lap.  It was quite difficult to put Aunt Creighton on the plane back to Chicago and explain that we wouldn't be seeing her again for quite a while.  We do call her often though and I always love hearing her converstaions with Hannah.  We're still waiting on that red headband Creight..... :)  Aunt Creighton and Uncle Justin let Hannah have some of her Christmas a little early so that they could celebrate with her since they won't be making it to SC at Christmas this year. Hannah loves her new American Girl Bitty Baby and "baby Abby" now goes with us everywhere.  Their matching PJ's are a big hit too.  Last night we celebrated with some good friends. It was a special time together and Hannah was ecstatic to get a new Snow White dress, slippers, crown, and wand. She just didn't understand why she couldn't wear them to church today. I feel so fortunate that Hannah is loved by so many!

Hannah, Aunt Creighton, and Santa