Christmas morning

None of us were exactly sure how well we ranked on Santa's list this year so we made sure to leave a message that our house was on the Nice List.

Emmy made sure to leave a trail of carrots for the reindeer.

 

And we left a Santa key on the front door.

It seems that all of these things worked in our favor. Here are some of our favorite pics from Christmas morning. I have a ridiculous collection of nutcrackers. I used to try to keep Emmy from playing with them so that nothing got broken. I finally woke up and realized that it really didn't matter if one or two or all of them got broken and she plays with them to her delight now. Santa realized this and brought her a nutcracker of her very own this year--a cheerleader.

 

I can't believe Santa got her this because I certainly wouldn't have, but she asked him for this farting dog.

The girl was quite excited about Jenga too.

Not so much for the socks.

This is the gift from Mama and Daddy. A trip to Disneyworld! Really, it's for Mama, but the suitcase and the One Direction pillow--totally for Emmy!

She really likes Jenga.

 

Her first masterpiece with her new art set.

 

And this is all we see of her now. 

 

Burtons Christmas

While I didn't get quite as many pictures of the Burton Christmas party, I did think these were pretty adorable.

Christmas Eve



Oh how I love these kids!!!! I was so glad that Sol and Rose spent the night with us before our Christmas Eve event with Papa Richie and LynnLynn. I love love love having them around. I can't wait until Dean is ready to stay with us! LynnLynn made us all coordinating pajamas this year. They are fabulous.

Dean is one!

I can't believe our sweet baby Dean is one!!!! He might be the sweetest munchkin ever and we adore him so.

Christmas with Friends

Emmy was determined to have a Christmas party for her friends this year. We had so much fun and I am so glad that we agreed to do it.  Sweet kids! I bought a fountain in hopes that we could do a cheese fountain. However.... Emmy insisted on chocolate. It was chocolate for each of our Christmas gatherings. I am still waiting on my nacho cheese fountain; maybe for my birthday????

First grade

We are so lucky to have the best first grade teacher ever. 

When I grow up...

"I want to be a police girl. You know the ones that show their bellies and wear bright lipstick". 

--Emmy Ruth Burton, fall 2013

Lucas's birthday

Generous soul

We went to Jonesboro on Thanksgiving to spend the day with John's family. We usually stay in a hotel room when we are there so we can get in some good pool time at an indoor pool. While there, Emmy started her Christmas list but on one of the hotel notepads. I mentioned that she might want to add something about Santa remembering all the other kids in the world too.

The next day, I told her we needed to work on her real list--you know the one that was in true letter format, just another chance to work on her penmanship, I thought. She told us she didn't want anything from Santa. She was afraid that if he brought her anything, he would forget all the kids in the orphanages.

Of course, my heart tore. What had I done? I want her to a caring girl but I don't want to take away the magic of the holidays for her. We talked about how we could go buy gifts together to take to the orphanage and we talked about all the charitable things we do already. Still nothing.

This morning, she asked why there were no presents for her under our tree. I reminded her that she said she didn't want anything and she reminded me that she said she didn't want Santa to bring her anything but I still could. Then it hit me.

The little twerp just doesn't want to have to write a letter.