Christmas at the White House, 2010 - part 2

Just a couple things we love about Christmas:

- Starting our own White Family Traditions

- Rememering and Celebrating the Reason for the Season

- Yummy food (we love milk & cookies)

- Dressing up in fancy clothes for Christmas Eve church service

- Sharing the joy of Christmas with one another

- Ransacking the house (Avery)

- Football, football, more football and fantasy football (Jeff)

- Downing scary amounts of Cinnamon Pear spiced Cider (Kate)

Christmas Eve meal tradition:

Cheese fondue with grilled chicken, fresh fruit, veggies & french bread:

Avery looking dapper in her "fancy" clothes for church:

And then ransacking the house:

And stomping on gifts:

A quiet moment, finally:

And she's tuckered out and ready to close her eyes (with visions of sugar-plum fairies...):

But before we do, let's help Mommy leave cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer!:

"YES, I swiped a cookie before anyone could catch me!"

Caught in the act:

Reading Avery's FAVORITE book "The Mitten" before bed, followed by "The Story of Christmas":

Christmas morning!

"OH.MY.GOODNESS. This is awesome!"

She immediately wanted "cackers" from the empty play boxes I put in the cart. FAIL.

And then was on to demanding Olivia & Mickey Mouse on TV:

I LOVE my new chair from Grandpa and Beggie!:

The only way to tear her away from Olivia and Mickey Mouse? FOOD!

The breakfast spread of fruit, eggs & bacon and a stack of blueberries pancakes:

"Happy Birthday, Jesus!"

Avery's special Mickey Mouse pancake:

All smiles!

"Can we do this every day?":

Big girl cup!:

"Now, on to those gifts you were talking about...":

Having fun with her new pots and pans:

And her new baby we named "Grace":

"Gracie is the best baby. We love going to walks together! I always check in on her to make sure she isn't hungry and to give her her blankie":

Oh, the joy of Christmas through a toddler eyes. And hearing her exclaim "Happy Birthday Baby Jesus" was absolutely beautiful! She is such an angel and makes us appreciate one another in a whole new and exciting way.

Joy to the World, the Lord is come! We are so blessed with this gift and the gift of family this holiday season.

(ps: if you missed some of our holiday pics, make sure you visit "part 1")