This winter break Justin and I have continued to have a good mix of enjoying the holidays relatively stress free, doing fun things with the girls, getting a lot of organizing done in the house, almost daily workouts, and still managed to work a few hours here and there. Honestly, it has been the perfect mix! Anyway, as part of the “fun” things to do with the girls, today was supposed to be a day trip to D.C. But the weather was just too cold and windy for it to be the enjoyable experience that we wanted it to be. So last minute, we decided to change it up and go to Luray Caverns. I had been a few times as a kid, Justin had never been, nor had the girls been. The drive was an hour and a half and was quite scenic and beautiful! Harper wanted to be held pretty much the entire time but I bribed her with the promise of dessert…I know…great parenting techniques:). Avery took charge and pretty much led the way. Emerson was not totally into it but she was a trooper and when we talked more about the sights we saw at dinner later that evening, she seemed to grow a little more interested. 
….and then again before the service and I know I am including way too many pictures but I seriously love so many of them as they truly show each of the girls personalities.
The girls were very well behaved at church. After church, we went to PF Changs for dinner, same as last year. We had a few minutes to spare so we were walking around the mall when Emerson and Harper spotted Santa while I was in the bathroom with Avery. They wanted to see Santa and there was no line. SO….we did it…We FINALLY “took” the girls to see Santa. Emerson was the only brave one who wanted to sit on Santa’s lap. Harper wanted to be in the picture but she didn’t want to sit on Santa’s lap. Avery did not want to even be in the picture but she finally decided she would join in…as far away from Santa as possible. 
Dinner was delicious! I ate way too much! After dinner, we lit the menorah for the first night of Hanukkah. Emerson didn’t want to participate. They have been learning about fire safety at school recently and I think she was scared of the fire in the house.
The girls opened up Hannukah presents, which like many years the first night’s present are ironically Christmas pajamas. 
How cute are these?! I almost didn’t buy any this year as they still have two pairs of Christmas pajamas that fit from prior years. BUT I am so glad I did! Look at my little elves!
Seriously, these girls melt my heart! Christmas morning the girls woke up normal time…a little after 8:00. 
Emerson woke up first, then Avery, and they patiently waited for Harper to get up before going downstairs to see what Santa brought. The girls were thrilled to see that Santa brought new and better sleds this year, sleeping bags, princess barbies, and each of the other things on the girls list (i.e. Lip gloss, feather pens, chocolate, a music box). 
While the girls had a sneak peak of what Santa brought (since Santa doesn’t wrap his gifts at our home), we ventured downstairs to see what Santa left in our stockings and to see if he and the reindeer had eaten the cookies and carrots we left for them. They had!
After we opened up the gifts from Santa, we ate breakfast, which is always a favorite in our house. This year it was berries; lemon ricotta muffins; a pepper, squash, chive, and goat cheese frittata; and bacon and sausage. Yum!
We took our time opening presents after breakfast.
In the afternoon, we lounged around, followed by an afternoon walk in the neighborhood before Papa and Grandma and Grandma Adele came over for an Italian theme Christmas dinner and more present opening. Since it was Day 2 of Hanukkah, we also lit the menorah. 
Seriously, look at these precious girls! How could it be anything but a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Birthday Mom and Grandma!