December 24th (Christmas Eve-Gift Exchange w/Cousins/Girls Gifts/My surprise/Christmas Eve Night)

I cleaned and cooked all morning.

Nick worked till 1 pm, which I was not thrilled about. 

I would have liked a little help!

We took showers then headed to Nick's brothers house to exchange kids gifts.

Theo loved opening presents! He was all about it.

Ella loves the grinch.

Max was being shy, but he liked the telescope!

We tried to get a cousin picture, but Max opted out. That's ok.

Ella was ready to open her 1 Christmas Eve gift.

So we let the girls before everyone got here.

Then after the girls Nick said he had one for me. We weren't doing gifts this year for each other since we buy really what we want anyways all the time.

Then Nick brought me in a bag, inside were 2 Zales ring boxes! Whhhaattt???

(Side Note: In November I went in to clean my ring and have it checked and I saw this ring that I loved. I told Nick and sent him a picture. Saying maybe 1 day.)

Well he went in a week or so later and bought it without me knowing it!

I started crying and hugging him, since I hadn't been the happiest with him being gone a lot and me having a lot of stress put on me! He said does this make up for it?? Ha. I suppose.

Is this a dream?? Can't believe he did this and surprised me. He had NEVER EVER done anything like this since he proposed!!

My new 3 Solitaire ct. diamond with extras!

(But maybe my favorite part is that it's lab created and isn't as expensive but looks amazing and is sooooo sparkly. You know I love a good deal!)

2024

I also invited my friend Katrina over, since she is going through a divorce and family issues, so she was going to be home alone without kids.

Love ya girl.

Yum yum, so many appetizers!!

Opening our traditional jammies from Grandma Joy.

Everyone left around 7 something, which was great to get Ella to bed on time for Santa!

I did my nails too, so I wanted another picture!

I love my ring, I can't stop looking at it!! 

Is this real life??? Thank you thank you honey bunny for spoiling me!

Santa came for the girls! They were spoiled as well!!

Kitty and puppy got something too!

Nick got some extras as well that didn't fit in his stocking!

Merry Christmas Eve!!

 

December 23rd (Community Center-well Maybe?)

Well I was busy all day and trying to deliver cookies to neighbors, so time was slipping away.

Nick loaded the girls into the car and forgot Ella's jacket.

Well it was warmer earlier but was getting colder later on.

We dropped off cookies to our friends house in another neighborhood.

Then we headed to the community center for my favorite lights, but Ella started to fall apart right at beginning because she was cold. Well I blew up on Nick because he didn't think to bring jacket, gloves for her? It wasn't just the jacket it was that I feel stressed and having to do everything for everyone!

Ugh being a mom is hard sometimes and I just lost it.

So we left the community center, went home and stayed home.

Nick was mad at me for being rude, but I didn't care. Ugh! Life sometimes is so much fun. Not.

(We talked the next day and we got it figured out. But I always feel stressed at this time, too many things to do!)

 

December 22nd (Baking Day-Mom Over)

Yum!

Baking for days...lol!

My mom is here to decorate sugar cookies. 

Ella popped over to help this year. Great job ladies. I made a few other things, plus I got to do some sugar cookies as well.

Nick ran and got us all Chinese for lunch.

Then my mom left to go do some last minute shopping, She's crazy! I am not going out there with all the crazy people!

I feel like I am catching up on cleaning and cooking with Ella being sick right before break.

I can't believe it's almost Christmas.

 

December 21st (Holiday Baking/Homemade Pretzels)

I started baking late in the afternoon today. 

I made the white chocolate pretzels, white trash, white chocolate Oreos and sugar cookies. 

I also made these yummy pretzels again! I love them so much, like the best ever!

I am already tired but will be doing more tomorrow!

 

December 20th (Ella @ School-Last 1/2 Day for GIrls)

I got a 1/2 day to myself before Winter break. Ella made it to school and felt even better today.

She watched Christmas Movies.

Having fun in class.

Happy girl ready for Christmas Break!

 

December 19th (Adelyn's V-ball Schedule/Chipotle Lunch w/Addie/Secret Santa's Last Night @ Volleyball Practice)

Adelyn's tournament schedule.

Well I sent Ella to school today because she was feeling better, but she had 3 seizures around 9:30 am so I had to go get her. 

I had planned to take Addie out to lunch but that can't happen so we got Chipotle in instead!

Tonight volleyball at the legends. It was the last one before Christmas so the end of the Secret Santa! Big gift time.

The girls had a lot of fun and laughing! Glad we can start the Holdiay's off with some fun!

I also made treats for the girls.

Double Tree copy cat cookies, along with Vanilla cupcakes! Yum!

The girls were so excited.