Friday, December 25, 2015

The real Christmas, Christmas

Amberlie was given a cute bunny that sucks it's thumb.

The look on their faces when they saw Berlyn's baby doll!

She specifically asked us to pose with her and 'Jasmine'.

We had to give the girls the camera for a bit so we could be in photos, too.

Nick likes his new vest.  That sexy beast.

She's already asking me to do her hair.

Amberlie wants a stocking, too!

Mom's don't have stockings.  But Nick didn't know that and he'd bought something to fill mine!  Can you see where he improvised?
His & Hers



A stocking for ME?!









Wow.  THREE whole days of Christmas.  First, Christmas Eve, Eve with Papa and Nana.  Then Christmas Eve with Nick's family.  THEN, we had special Christmas miracle when a coworker of Nicks volunteered to take over his Christmas day shift at the jail.  You better believe I was one happy woman.  It would've been so sad and un-holidayish to wake up with just me and the girls on Christmas morning.  Instead, Nick stayed home and we all slept in until 7:30.  Another Christmas miracle.  Then we made breakfast and the girls gathered around while I read them the story of Jesus' birth.  Be impressed, people.  This is the very first year that I let everyone stay in their jammies while we opened presents.  Typically, if the camera is going to be out and available, it's grounds for shower,clothes, and hair bows.  I must be getting lazy in my old age, but I'll admit it feel kind of special to stay all cozy in the new pajama's Nana had given everyone.  This year we really scaled it down.  Aside from filling the stockings with play dough (already regretting that decision), gum (totally and completely regretting that, too), and some accessories for their dolls, the girls each got a special gift and a book from Nick and I.  Havanna got a bike with training wheels.  Talullah got her baby doll with blonde hair and BROWN eyes, just like her.  It's exactly what she wanted.  And Berlyn got the most adorable little baby 'Jasmine' that we adopted from Africa.  She has a certain fascination about other languages and cultures, so it was just so fitting.  And she has been taking that baby doll everywhere!  This was definitely a special day, just our little Downey family of six.  Spending time together in our new house and enjoying all of the blessing we've been given.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Christmas with the Downey's. The other Downey's

This is us.


Grammy snuggling with Havanna and Adelaide next to Wes.

For Berlyn, it's all about the butter.
We all went to Nate and Dallass' house for Christmas Eve after enjoying a Christmas Eve service at the Town Church.  Amberlie was, without a doubt, louder than anyone behind a microphone during the whole event.  I guess she'll be shouting out 'amen' to spur on the preacher when she gets older.  Our girls absolutely adore their cousins, so they had a wonderful time running around and opening presents and then running around some more.  We've also thoroughly enjoyed having Wesley home for the holidays.  When we were leaving Grandma and Grandpa Downey's house the other night, Berlyn looked at Uncle Wesley before he walked away and told him "You're handsome!".  So, so sweet.