Christmas #1- Spotsylvania, VA

Christmas #1 started off with a surprise visit from Santa!!! The girls woke up, walked downstairs like it was a normal morning, only to find it was anything but! There were presents scattered under the tree and Miss Twinkle was there with a special note to the girls. The note said that since the girls were so good this year that Santa decided to come a little early, but not to worry, because he would be coming back again on Christmas day to their Nana and PopPop's house! They were literally shocked and on cloud nine! Jimmy and I just sat in awe as we watched them open their presents and truly love and be grateful for everything they got. They were so good at taking turns and helping each other. Christmas is such an amazing time and we were reminded once again just how blessed we are to have our beautiful daughters in our lives.  Merry
Christmas #1!

Walking down the stairs

What was waiting for them!

Twinkle and her note!

They ran circles around the gifts!

Isla spotted Twinkle right away!

Mackenzie of course went straight for "big Minnie"

Giving her new Minnie kisses!

Isla was so shocked that I was actually letting her touch Twinkle that she forgot all about the presents!

Until she saw her rocking giraffe!

Isla and her gifts from Santa!

Mackenzie and her gifts from Santa!

Let the unwrapping begin...

Trying out her "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" spyglass

Isla's turn!

Mrs. Potato head!

Oops, was that suppose to happen?!

Her present opening stance cracks me up!

Checking out Mackenzie's new...

Microphone!

She got a book all about her best friend, bunny!

More Minnie stuff (you would think she had it all!)

Another book...this time about silly animals at the Zoo!

A princess castle!!!

drums!

Jammin out!

Isla's special Christmas ornament from Mommy and Daddy was a ladybug

Mackenzie's special ornament was a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!

After a little break we dived into the stockings!

Checking out some goodies from their stocking

Then it was time for Daddy to get to work!

Checking out the new castle!

The Princess castle was quickly taken over by Mickey and friends.

Twinkle's Last Days!

The final days of Elf on the Shelf!

Day 15: Kitchen Decorating

Not sure why I don't have a pic of Isla, she must have been still snoozing!

 Day 16: Baby Jesus Watching

This was by far our most favorite day with Twinkle. I hadn't taken out Jesus and the manger because I was scared that the girls would get a hold of the fragile figurines. I decided one night that they really needed to see and hear the REAL story of Christmas. They were so excited to find Twinkle but even more excited to hear all about the birth of baby Jesus. I must admit I was crying the majority of the time while snapping pictures because they listened to EVERY word I was saying (you will see why in a second). This is a memory I will NEVER forget. 

This is when the tears started flowing...Mackenzie had just heard that the Wise Men brought gifts to baby Jesus so she sweetly laid Ducky down next to him and told me that was her gift to him (I was speechless).

With my mouth still hanging open, Isla then followed Mackenzie's lead and placed her milk next to baby Jesus (tears were rolling at this point).

Their gifts to baby Jesus 

She left him there for quit awhile (Isla on the other hand got thirsty and took her milk back, ha!)

Day 17: Mickey Hiding

Day 18: Gift Giving (Last day)

Since we were going to be in Pennsylvania on Christmas Day, We decided to have our own little Christmas at our house. It was a total surprise to the girls when they woke up in the morning! They found Twinkle in the middle of all the presents with a note in her hand. It stated that since they had been such good girls that Santa decided to come early, but not to worry, he would also return on Christmas Day at Nana & PopPop's house! They were soooo excited!

See you next year, Twinkle! 

(Pictures from Wolfe Christmas #1, #2, and #3 coming soon!)

Santa!!!

Last night was a very exciting one for the girls because they got to see SANTA!!!! From the moment we told Mackenzie that she would be seeing Santa, she literally didn't stop talking about it. I wasn't sure how this little meet and greet would go but from the way Zie was so excitedly talking about it my hopes were high. The entire time we were waiting in line Zie had a huge smile plastered to her face and kept saying "I'm so excited!". Isla equally shared in the excitement as she pointed to Santa numerous times and just couldn't stop giggling. It was really adorable to see them so giddy in his presence! That was of course until we actually got up to him. Mackenzie clung to her daddy for dear life and Isla made it very clear to Mommy that in no way shape or form would she be getting near him. After a failed attempt of getting them on his lap we decided to make it a family picture and the girls were much happier with this decision. I guess you are never to old to sit on Santa's lap! ;-) Mackenzie is still beaming from last night as she must have told me a hundred time today "I SAW SANTA!" Merry almost Christmas!!!!

Before our trip to see Santa!

The Wolfe Family and Santa Clause!!!

Isla Marie- 15 months!

Isla Marie turned 15 months today and to celebrate we are going to see SANTA this evening (will post on how that goes later!). It's really hard to believe that Isla is 15 months old. She is right smack in the middle of her toddler years and although she certainly acts like a toddler, I must admit I still treat her like my little baby (not sure if that will ever end). She is so full of life and personality and keeps us giggling all day long. She is really enjoying books these days (which we love) however it takes us 20 minutes to get through a five page book because she is constantly pointing to every object in the book (multiple times) wanting to know the word for it. She also has gotten really good at identifying people in a photo, for example if you ask her where "Momma" is, she will point right at me (and so on and so on). She is teething like crazy and is now sporting eleven teeth. She is taking in everything we do and trying to do it herself. For instance she is always trying to put on her own socks, shoes, hat, clothes, etc. She also tries to put these items on her sister and parents. She knows when she is being cute as she will sport this "Yeah I know I'm adorable" grin and she definitely knows when she is being naughty as she will run  in the opposite direction from you all while laughing hysterically trying not to be caught! She has the best friend in the world...her sister. Their relationship has really taken off. They "talk" to each other sweetly, give each other hugs throughout the day, giggle more than I thought was ever possible, and play tag like its running out of style. I often take a step back and give them their own time together as I am able to see the bond strengthening right there in those moments. We are so blessed to have this little peanut in our lives! Happy 15 months, Smiley Isley!!!

Mommy and Isla

"Helping" with the dishes

I was busy making breakfast when I heard little giggles coming from Isla followed by knocking coming from inside the pantry...

Isla had shut Mackenzie in the pantry!!! 

Later that morning she got into the box of Cheerios and dumped them all over the floor!

The girls had a blast cleaning them up!

When did she become a big girl?!!!

Brushing her teeth

She is obsessed with our Christmas trees and all of their ornaments

Breakfast conversation with Daddy

We were cleaning Zie's car seat and Isla thought it was the best toy ever!

Our little winter bunny!

Mackenzie loves "catching" her sister when she comes down the slide. So sweet!

Had to post this cute pic of big sis!

15 months :-)