The Pruett Place: Christmas 2012

I am posting two posts back to back, so notice that there is another post under this Christmas post.

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. However, it was a little more sad than normal having just experienced the passing of Lindsey. There were so many things in Abilene that made us think of her and it was and still is hard to believe that she is gone. I kept waiting for her to walk in and join the family. We had some good family time to reflect on her and we had some different things that we received and traditions that we started to make sure that she will not be forgotten. We all altered our Christmas plans this year so that we could be in Abilene for Christmas Day, which was needed and a blessing. I want to thank the Tate family for allowing us to do that and work around our plans. So, on Christmas Eve we were in Grapevine until around 3:00 pm and then we left for Abilene. Santa was really generous and left some toys for the girls in Grapevine at my parent's house that Monday morning. Then, the rest of the Tate family came over around noon to open up presents from each other. We were then in Abilene from Monday night till Thursday afternoon. We had our Christmas together that Saturday. Even though it was past Christmas it was nice having some time together to just enjoy Christmas without having to rush out. Then, Zack had the whole next week off! We just took that time to relax and take care of different things around the house. Zack is always so sweet to take the girls on outings, so I can have time at the house to get things done or have time with just Claire.

Our Christmas

Claire and Daddy. Isn't he the best?

Taking down Christmas ornaments after Christmas

This is something new that Carly has started. She likes to just go and lay in her bed some times and read books or play on our phone. Over Christmas break Carly was on antibiotics for a sinus infection. It seems like we will go for months with nobody being sick. Then, once it hits our family it is like one of our children is on antibiotics for a couple of months. It started with Kate at Thanksgiving, then Carly at Chrismas, and it looks like Carly may have a sinus infection again. AHH!

We always have a big breakfast when we celebrate our Christmas at home. It is a special treat! We had eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy. Yummy! Carly is so silly!

Kate, too!

Kate opening up some of her presents.

She has been loving her new Hello Kitty slippers.

Zack's present to me was to have our blog formatted to a book. I am so thankful for this gift. I know it is something I will forever treasure.

Carly and Daddy opening presents together.

A new game!

One of my gifts to Zack was money for him to pick out a new bible which he has been wanting for awhile.

Love this picture!

Santa also came to our house with some presents. Some of their gifts were some fruit counters, a new tea party set, and an alphabet popsicle matching game

The fruit counters were a big hit!

Santa also brought the girls a little playhouse to go outside.

They had a good time pulling things out of their new stockings.

Daddy and Carly playing in the playhouse together.

It looks like Santa ate most of their cookies and chocolate milk.

I love this picture and how Carly is looking at Kate.

Claire checking out the stash that Santa left her, too.

Her favorite pacifiers, yeah!

Claire's First Christmas, so special!

Enjoying one of her new pacifiers and new toys.

Sorting out new toys.

Carly opening up some of her presents.

Kate and Carly both got new slippers.

It did snow in Abilene on Christmas Day, but nothing like it did here. When we got back on Thursday we were shocked that there was still a good amount in our backyard.

Kate and Carly trying to make a big snowball.

Impressive!

Here is the cookies and chocolate milk that the girls left.

Claire loves to grab on her hands and chew on them

The night before our Christmas we let the girls open up one present each. We got new family stockings this year with their names on them.

Carly has mastered the silly face.

Our three girls with their stockings.

Here is what our living room looked like Christmas morning.

Claire's stuff

Kate and Carly's stuff

Christmas in Abilene

Carly and me at Primetime Bowling in Abilene.

Jason and Cole bowling.

Daddy and Carly bowling.

Kate and me bowling.

Kate was not always crazy about all of the attention.

Carly hanging out with Daddy one morning.

Mom Mom painting the girl's nails.

The girls love sitting on the stools!

Sandwich time.

Kate loves to hold Claire and she does so well with her.

Look at those brown eyes.

One of our many yummy meals in Abilene. Complete with Lauren's awesome mashed potatoes.

Kate was one lucky girl to get the last piece of pie!

Carly got some pie, too.

Dad Dad and Claire.

What an awesome Aunt and Uncle!

Claire and Mom Mom

Emie and Kate writing and drawing together.

Claire seeing some of her new presents from the family.

A new bag, yeah!

Gel pens, wow!

Carly's favorite Christmas movie, "The Grinch." She has these green pajamas and she will say, "I want to wear the green ones like the Grinch."

Sharing it with Aunt Lauren and Uncle Jason

Claire is checking everything out.

Kate already putting the gel pens to work.

Look at all those presents!

Cole enjoying some new hot wheel cars.

Emie opening up the diary and fun pens that we gave her.

Some new barrettes, yeah!

Pointing out to Kate which one she wants to wear.

Some new modeling clay and other fun tools.

Emie writing in her diary.

Aunt Lauren holding Claire while we get ready to open presents.

Kate thanking Mom Mom for a present.

It is snowing!

I love this authentic picture of joy from Carly pulling something out of her stocking.

Mom Mom gave the girls these big bears, which they loved.

Two big teddy bears and one really big Teddy Bear.

Sweet picture of Claire sleeping amongst the chaos around her.

"Ok, we are ready to go outside."

"It is cold outside here, Daddy."

Carly loves playing with these blocks in Abilene. We have blocks at our house, but they are not the same. Plus, I think she enjoys pulling the little wooden wagon that stores them.

Mom Mom playing the piano with the girls.

Kate enjoying playing with her baby sister.

Claire getting love from her cousin, Bree.

Christmas in Grapevine

Before we packed up all the presents, I wanted some pictures of all of them.

The girls love to hang out in the van and outside when Zack is packing up.

Santa brought the girls some fun presents in Grapevine.

Carly thought her new pink purse was perfect for storing her fruit.

Santa brought Zack and me some presents, too!

Kamara and I received these matching scarves.

Breanne holding Claire.

Claire and Hannah's first picture together. Adorable!

The Jackson kids: Tate, Laci, Breanne and Isabelle

Kate carrying around some of her new presents.

Kamara and went on a Sonic run for everybody.

Carly is potty trained and has been for awhile now. However, she still does not like to go poop on the toilet. So, she always wants a diaper or pull-up and goes some place to have her "privacy" as she says. Here she is back in a bedroom.