Happy Holiday Times

There are a lot of things that will be different this holiday season as we won't have the pleasure of visiting with our family and sharing many traditions. This makes me a little sad if I focus on it for too long but I know it's only one year. What this has given us is the time and opportunity to create some of our own traditions and we  have taken full advantage of this. 

Linnea received a Bitty Baby from her Gramma a little over a year ago. This doll happens to be one of the American Girls; a collection of which I have a doll from as well from when I was little. Santa used to bring me outfits and accessories for Samantha every year  and I would spend countless hours playing with the neighbor girls and our dolls. Naturally when I realized there was an American Girl store in Dallas I had to take Linnea and her Bitty Baby to dinner. Thus emerged our first  tradition, a girls days to the American Girl Store to purchase her baby doll's Christmas outfit. We had an awesome time, 'just the girls" shopping together. It's something I will look forward to every year.

Of course we decorated a tree although this year it was not real and we didn't cut it down in the freezing  cold:) 

Linnea was so happy to see our little tree and Beau couldn't wait to hang his ornaments up. It's a simple tradition that we just can't live without even in an apartment. I can't wait to actually decorate a house again next year.

The kids received their annual Christmas PJs from their Gramma Maddux. Last year they got a picture with all their cousins but this year it's just the two of them. They still look awfully cute together if you ask me. 

These are just a few of the things we've enjoyed the last few weeks. There will definitely be more to come! I can't believe Beau is turning 2 in two days!! We have a party for him Saturday where we'll decorate Gingerbread houses and we'll be sure to update the blog with pictures of his friends. It's a crazy time of year but always full of happy memories. 

Happy Holidays to all our friends and family!