Christmas 2009

{the girls with Santa on one of our last-minute shopping days}

I didn't do a great job of documenting Christmas this year. Oops. I also didn't get Christmas cards sent out, neighbor gifts out, and I'm sure I missed a hundred other things. I'm using the 3 week old baby as an excuse for my lack of accomplishment this December. Next year, I will be better.

Despite all that, we had a great Christmas, though it came and went way too quickly. My mom and brother drove out from New Jersey to join us and my other 2 brothers living out here. It's been fun having a full house, no matter how chaotic it has seemed at times. We shopped for 4 days straight, including on Christmas Eve (yes, this year was horrible as far as procrastination goes).

{the girls in their Christmas pj's}

Christmas morning was spent at home, where we opened gifts, ate a yummy breakfast, and talked to my sister Jessica who is on a mission in Argentina. Then in the afternoon we headed over to Justin's brother's house for the Tate side get together, which included dinner, gifts for the kids, and just hanging out. It was a nice day.

{the loot}

{rowan playing in one of her many baby doll toys. she got hooked up this year}

{rowan in her Christmas dress.}

I had to throw this last photo in even though it wasn't actually taken on Christmas day . When I first put this dress on her, she started twirling and dancing all over. Cutest thing ever. And when I told her to stand by the tree so I could get a picture of her, she would lean on it in all of these different poses. She kills me.