Christmas 2010

I was really looking forward to Christmas this year!  This was really the first year that Emily had any clue of what was going on.  She was only 2 months old last year and slept through most of the day.  I wasn't sure what to expect when Christmas morning arrived.  I decided to not wrap most of her presents, but instead set them up by the fireplace so she could see them when she came downstairs.  Shawn tells me that's how Santa does it.  Santa did it different in my house growing up, but he was pretty insistent that Santa's gifts were always unwrapped by the fireplace and only the gifts from Mommy and Daddy were wrapped under the tree, so that's the route we went.  When Emily came downstairs she immediately noticed all the new toys.  She just wasn't sure what to think of it all.  We let her play with her toys some before opening the gifts under the tree.  Emily must have been a very good girl this year because she got lots of good stuff from Santa.  She got a ladybug tent, a cozy coupe, a bean bag chair, step stool, dollhouse, drum set, puzzles, etc.  

Once we started opening the gifts under the tree, I realized that Emily wasn't really into the whole unwrapping of gifts.  She was more interested in the tissue paper and playing with the boxes.  Oh well.  Shawn and I enjoyed exchanging gifts with each other.  I got Shawn a single cup coffee maker and he got me a fancy new watch.

After breakfast, we headed over to Mimi and Papa's house to open gifts with my brother's family and my Grandma.  Emily got lots of nice things as did Mommy and Daddy!  My favorite thing Emily got was a rocking butterfly.  It is so cute and it plays the cutest songs.  She also got lots of new clothes which is what she really needed! 

My parents got me the gift I have been waiting and waiting for. . . a new camera.  I've been using my dad's for the last couple of months and fell in love with it.  They got me the whole package. . a Canon Rebel XSi, 2 lenses (1 really big one for long distances. . .I know I'll use this a lot once Emily starts having dance recitals :) ), a camera case, a sun shade for the lenses and a memory card.   I am sooo excited about learning how to use all of my new accessories.  I just need to find the time to read through the book.  I really want to figure out the other settings besides auto.  I also got a some really nice clothes.  I guess I was good this year too.  :)

These are all taken with my new camera. . .

After eating lunch at Mimi and Papa's, we headed to Burleson to spend the afternoon with Shawn's mom's side of the family.  We had a good time visiting with everyone and Emily enjoyed playing with her cousins again.  She got some more nice gifts from KK and Joe. . .puzzles, books, clothes, etc.  Overall, Emily did really well this year considering she only got a 45 minute nap all day and it was in the car.  And yes, I know my daughter is currently sporting a mullet. 

Since Shawn was heading out the next morning, we left Burleson early evening to head back to Frisco.  It was nice to get home after a long day and it gave Emily some time to play with her new toys before bedtime.

Each year gets more fun with Emily.  I know next year will be the first year she really understands Santa and everything that's going on.  So until then, I'm okay with waiting 364 more days until we do this all again.