Merry Christmas 2016

The Christmas festivities kicked-off Thursday afternoon when Grammy and Gramps arrived! We enjoyed the afternoon with them, going for a walk in the warm weather, attending Cora's dance class, and eating at a restaurant followed by a drive around town to see Christmas lights!  Friday, we spent decorating cookies, playing Christmas bingo and spending time with Grammie and Gramps. They brought us the Good Dinosaur DVD which we watched that night.

Saturday morning it was Christmas Eve! We had a relaxing morning spent with Grammie and Gramps while Mommy and Daddy prepared for the upcoming festivities of the holiday. In the late afternoon we changed into our church clothes and prepared for Christmas Eve Mass. I looked especially good in my tie and suspenders.When we got to the church we saw Mimi and Papa there! I felt so special sitting in the pew between all of my grandparents who came to be with us for Christmas! We had to get to church early so that we could get a good seat but that didn't bother me, there were so many people to spend time with. I would bounce around the pew between everyone. Everyone at church thought that I was absolutely adorable. One guy even commented, "Wow, you're dressed to the nines!" 

After church we headed home for our traditional speatzel soup and salad dinner. Following dinner we retired to the living room where Cora played a concert for everyone on the piano. I didn't mind listening, but it was more fun when we started to sing Christmas carols. After that we had our family gift exchange. I was happy that Mommy and Daddy got me a new bed spread (or spread bed as I call it) for my bedroom! I opened a dinosaur truck from Grammie and Gramps and I got a Yellowstone gemstone, binoculars and a t-shirt from Mimi and Papa. I also enjoyed watching the grown-ups open presents too! We put out milk and cookies for Santa before going to bed. I had no problem falling asleep that night, even sharing my bed with Cora!

Christmas morning was magical! After Cora and I woke up all of the grandparents, we crept downstairs to find that Santa had come during the night!! With everyone watching, Cora and I tore into our presents! I got the dump truck that I had asked Santa to bring me! I also got some binoculars, cars, a Batman action figure, some green monster slippers, a police Playmobile set and a tow truck Lego set! We opened our presents in no time! We enjoyed a late breakfast, then got to spend some time playing with our new toys. Later on in the day, we went outside to test the new RC car I got from Santa and show the grandparents how well I can ride my bike. When we went back inside, there were more presents under the tree from the grandparents!! I got more great gifts - a wheelbarrow, some clothes, a Penn State chair, and a goody bag with a ToysRUs credit card (gift card) which I can't wait to use! It was so wonderful getting to open all of my presents with our grandparents with us. I could hug and thank them each time I opened a gift!

The morning after Christmas, Grammie and Gramps left. Mimi and Papa would stay a few more days after Christmas. We played games, went outside, played with a marble set that I got, slept in (we stayed up late lots of nights) and enjoyed spending time with them. The last night they were here, we went out to eat at the mannequin restaurant and after dinner we got to see the really cool Christmas lights display that we saw a few nights earlier with Grammie and Gramps. The following day, we had to take Mimi and Papa to the airport. While we were at the airport, we stopped by the observation deck and watched some planes arrive and depart with our new binoculars!