Christmas with both families

Christmas with the Mautz Family:

We left for Athens on Tuesday and had a wonderful Christmas with family. On Christmas Eve Rob, Matt & I went to church while Mimi & Pops watched Ansley :) We ended up going to the Children's service and it was quite comical but sweet at the same time. It made me think of the day that Ansley will be one of those kids singing on Christmas Eve for everyone...

On Christmas day we woke up early to open gifts. We needed to leave Athens by 12 so we could get to my parents house in Atlanta to have Christmas with the Willson Family. There were a ton of gifts under the tree so it took us quite some time to open them all. Ansley was spoiled rotten by Santa & everyone else :) As for Rob and I, our favorite gift from Mimi was a painting she did of Ansley from Harbor Springs. For those of you who don't know, Mimi (Rob's mom) is an amazing artist (we have several paintings of hers hanging in our house)! She has never done a portrait before, but all I can say is WOW! I started to cry when I saw the painting, because I knew she had never painted someone's portrait so it meant a lot to me for her to do that. This is such a special gift and we can't thank you enough Mimi! I will definitely take a picture of it, for you all to see.

We want to thank Mimi, Pops, Uncle Boo, and Gammie for a wonderful Christmas. We love you!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the Mautz Family Christmas. I took a ton so I am only posting my favorites :)

Ansley concentrating on her MarkersAnsley loves to wear Mimi's glasses

Christmas Eve lunch out at the Athens Country Club

Uncle Boo & Ansley

Christmas Eve after Church

Opening Ansley's birthday gifts from the Mautz's....notice the glasses (she is going to have the worse vision)

One of her favorite gifts from Mimi & Pops (AKA Santa)

such a happy girl!

playing with her "Tickle Me Elmo"

walking in Mimi's shoes

Ansley's very own high-heel shoes

Christmas with the Willson Family:

After we opened gifts at the Mautz's, we drove to Atlanta to have Christmas with my family. I know it is always hard for the family that doesn't get Christmas morning, but it is still great to be able to spend Christmas with both families. We are very fortunate that our families only live a little over an hour away from one another.

When we got to my parent's house, Great-Granmommy, Kelly, Brent, Madison & Hailey were there. Rob has never met Hailey and it had been a year since he had seen Kelly, Brent & Madison so it was great to all be together again. Madison was my dad's little helper this year, she distributed all the gifts to everyone. She did such a great job! Ansley didn't want to have anything to with that part and just wanted to snoop at what was under the blanket. Santa (AKA Nan & Pop Pop) had left a kitchen for Ansley. Madison & Ansley were both excited about this gift and really didn't care too much about the others, they were busy playing in the kitchen. Ansley and Madison get along so well, they really are like sisters. They do not get to see each other often but they are best of friends!

We are so fortunate to have such loving parents who still want to give us special gifts and spoil our children for us :) We love you so much!

We were definitely all wiped once the day was over. And to think, we still had more gifts to open the next day for Ansley's birthday....

And here are some of my favorite pictures from the Willson Family Christmas:

sweet Hailey

Me & Hailey

Ansley & Maddie checking out the kitchen

two peas-in-a-pod

Madison giving the tree "huggies"

giving kisses (notice Madison giving some tongue action, HA!)

Hailey chuckles like Ansley, she is just so sweet!

Santa has come to town....

Santa came early to the Mautz house, but we didn't mind at all! He decided to drop in during Ansley's nap so when she woke up there were lots of fun things to play with. Ansley's face when she saw her favorite gift, the Cozy Coupe, was priceless! These are the moments you never want to forget.

this is blurry but wanted to show you the excitement on her face!

play food for her kitchen she is getting from Nana & Pop Pop

this is the ornament Rob gave me...It is so sweet!

"A" enjoying her new easel!

someone got Melmo slippers (this is what Ansley calls Elmo)

having fun in the very cold weather to ride in her Cozy Coupe

Already driving with one-hand... We are in trouble!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I absolutely love Christmas! I love decorating. I love the lights. I love designing our Christmas card & receiving everyone's cards. And I love shopping for gifts. I have always been like this.... I use to do most of the decorating at my parent's house and always went and got the Christmas tree with my dad (it was our tradition). The only year I didn't go with my dad to get the tree was last year. Fortunately, I was home a couple of weekends ago, so my dad and I went and got the tree together... I can't wait to see the tree all decorated :)

This year I got my Christmas shopping done early so I didn't have to fight the crowds. Which left me to have more time with decorating our house. Our house feels so cozy when it is Christmas time. Rob and I listen to the "Kenny & Dolly" CD while we decorate the tree each year.

I always take pictures of our house and the decorations so that I can remeber where I put things for the next year.

Living Room:
Our Nativity Scene

Kitchen:

Powder Room:

Dining Room:

Outside:

we have a wreath with lights hanging between the garage doors (you just can't see it)

we usually have candles in the windows but with a toddler I didn't think it was safe! Hopefully next year.