Christmas Morning Fun

It was a wonderful Christmas at the Calderwood home. Ella was spoiled by Santa as well as both sets of grandparents and her aunt Heidi and Stephanie. I think it must have taken two hours to open all of her gifts, but she enjoyed every second of it. Some hits this season included Ariel of course (both a swimming and princess Ariel), a beautiful barbie from nana and papa, and a funky van from Grandma C that plays hip music. We call it her very own swagger wagon. Ella takes all of her barbies and Ariels cruising in it daily as they listen to their swagger music. I'd say she had a pretty great Christmas. Amelia slept through most of the commotion but was happy Christmas morning to wake up to her new (semi new at least) bouncy seat! She has enjoyed spending time in it this week but will enjoy it more when her feet can touch the floor. She was spoiled with clothes too and her favorite was a onesie from Aunt Steph that says "I love my auntie". Who wouldn't love that? Here are some photos of the morning below. More to come later on the fabulous week we've had since then. I could get used to not working is all I have to say about that.

Christmas magic!

I've always loved Christmas Eve. You see, in my family growing up, that was when all the magic happened. We always would go out on a drive to see the beautiful lights on people's houses, the stars would be twinkling as I'd look out the backseat window. Occasionally we'd spot a flying object in the air and my parents would swear it was Santa and his reindeer, just leaving our home. We would arrive home with much anticipation for what may have transpired while we were out on our journey. And as luck would always have it, Santa had always come while we were gone (except for one time when we got home and caught him in the act (thanks to a good friend who was willing to play the role I later learned).

As I've gotten older Christmas has remained magical but for different reasons. I still could and do fall asleep in front of the Christmas tree some nights just to watch the lights twinkle and look at the ornaments, each holding a different memory. I still love being with old friends and family and enjoying the relationships that have been the most precious gifts I could receive. But I also have grown to have an appreciation for the humble birth of our Savior who makes it possible for those beautiful relationships to last beyond this lifetime. I try to imagine myself at his birth, heralding in the special occasion with the angels, the shepherds, or perhaps the wise men. I often ask myself what I might bring to the king of Kings, the Lord of Lords? What can I bring him now that would honor him? I feel it only fitting now as an adult that Christmas Eve be a time to honor Him, for our family to focus on HIS gift to us, the gift of His life, His Atonement, His resurrection, His love. And in return, I ask that our family reflect on what we can give back to Him. Maybe it's more of our time? Maybe it's a better effort at family prayer, more patience, less pride? Whatever small effort we can make to remember Him more and honorably stand as His witnesses. I love my Savior. I'm touched by many aspects of Christmas, but nothing more than the story of the Christ child. How grateful I am to ponder now on what gift I might give to Him this year. How grateful I am to ponder on what He means to me and what precious gift He continues to give me. What could be more magical? Christmas morning will still hold much excitement watching our two little girls open their gifts (well, Amelia is still a little too young I suppose but still), but Christmas Eve is His night. That's at least the tradition I hope to instill in our young family.

So to all who read this (and NEVER comment... sniffle, sniffle), Merry Christmas! May the peace that can only come through our Savior fill your hearts this Season and always.

With love,

The Calderwoods

Fa la la Family

Just wanted to post a few more photos from this wonderful Christmas Season. We've enjoyed a lot of wonderful activities and visits with many friends. We look forward to seeing a good friend and old college roommate tomorrow night and will hopefully have a post later on that. Tonight we made home made sugar cookies. Ella helped Shaun cut out shapes with her playdough cut outs while we listened to carols.

Amelia sat with Santa Saturday at the restaurant where Shaun works. She is too cute for words these days and she's talking and babbling a lot. Ella cracks us up with her funny little thoughts and creative imagination.

We also enjoyed taking a few photos after church today (although sadly I have to admit all they did for me was re-commit my decision to do weight watchers again starting next week... sheesh!). The girls and their daddy sure are cute though.

The Johnstons

Just a reminder to friends and family that I enjoy doing photography as a hobby. It's a little last minute but if anyone wants a photo to send out for the new year I don't charge much... sometimes I even barter for a good meal or some babysitting. These are our friends Wendie and Chris and their adorable kids. I had fun taking their photos and enjoyed getting to spend a Saturday afternoon with friends.

A weekend with the Bonacci's

We enjoyed a fun and festive weekend with our dear friends, Kristin and Matt. Matt just accepted a job in Stanton, VA, so they came down to house hunt from New Jersey. We're so glad they'll be joining us in VA again. Stanton's not too far so Kristin and I hope to have monthly get togethers with our kids.

Ella and I at Gum Drop Square. Taken on my phone so not great quality.

Kristin and Matt before the hay ride

This weekend we enjoyed Gum Drop Square in Old Town Warrenton... cutest thing ever. Old Town is so quaint. There was a dance company performing the Nutcracker in front of the court house (Ella joined in briefly before I realized she had slipped away from me), there was a live Nativity, and a horse drawn hay ride around the town that we enjoyed (all activities were free of charge). Santa was there too but the line to see him was out the door and Ella's already told him her wish list (they're engaged, remember?) so we didn't stay for that. All the shops stayed open and their window displays were lit with beautiful trees and decorations. It was a very picturesque small town Christmas scene. Even though I grew up in this lovely little town, this was my first time visiting gum drop square. It definitely wont be the last. I love taking advantage of local entertainment and supporting my community.

Our home is also feeling a lot like Christmas. This year Shaun won and we went with colored lights. Turned out pretty cute though. We also have a new rug since Ella's little "egg" incident.

The girls and I this morning before church in pink.

Third Annual Thanksgiving with the Wests

We celebrated a lovely Thanksgiving with our friends, the Wests. This was our third annual Thanksgiving with their wonderful family. They are Shaun's friends from high school with two girls close in ages to our own, and they've lived in North Carolina now for the last three to four years. We were in hopes this would continue for years to come as a fantastic Thanksgiving tradition (we rotate going to their place and them coming to us so every other year you get to be the "guest" at Thanksgiving= less stress = nice). But alas, they will most likely be headed back west next year as will some of our other wonderful North Carolina friends. So it was sad knowing our third annual Thanksgiving with them would be our last... at least for a while, but we still had a great time.

Wednesday we visited Montpieler, Mr. James Madison's home, and had a lovely time.

James and Dolly's view from their front door... Virginia at its finest!

We visited with the horses on site there. Ella was a little scared a first.

And a tour through The Madison's gardens. Ella's leading the way!

A kiss in the garden

Then Thursday we had a wonderful feast. Thank goodness Tawnie was here to help with the turkey... and when I say "help" I mean she mostly did it single handedly as I am a royal mess in the kitchen. We had some wonderful pies, some store bought, some home made. And we enjoyed left overs for the week to come.

Friday the Wests braved the stores on black friday and Shaun and I met up with them that afternoon to enjoy Ella's first movie in the theaters, "Tangled." She was excellent during the movie much to our delight and we enjoyed a whole movie with very little interruption. Amelia was even good and slept through most of it. On our way home from the movie we picked up our Christmas tree and put it up that evening (pics soon to come).

Saturday we went to the Christmas tree lighting in Gainesville and Ella got to waive to Santa. Here are Tawnie and Ellie in front of the tree.

And of course the boys with their little girls.

Mostly we just enjoyed visiting with them and staying up playing games after we put the girls to bed (although I pooped out on them a couple of times because I was just too tired). Saturday night was nice though because we also got to visit with our friends, The Fords, while they were in town. I'm so richly blessed with wonderful friends.

Ella and Ellie play very well together and Ella's been talking about her non-stop since she left.

We hope our friends and family enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving as well wherever you were and whoever you got to spend it with. Thanks to Adam, Tawnie, and their girls for making our Turkey day one for the books! I took some photos of them and hopefully they liked them. I thought the one above turned out really nicely.

We are now excited that the Holiday Season has settled in upon us and look forward to a wonderful December, a time to celebrate family, love, and the precious gift of our Savior's birth, life, and atoning sacrifice. I'm so grateful for his redeeming love. I'm so grateful for his humble birth. I'm so grateful that this is a season that encourages me to reflect more on that sacrifice and remember gratitude for all of the blessings that come to me through his love.

Santa Baby

Ella got to sit on Santa this year and her mom and dad decided not to be cheep and actually bought the cheesy little mall photo. I couldn't resist when I saw Ella's face in the photo... priceless. And today she told us she wanted to marry Santa because he was going to bring her Ariel dolls and a pink flower dress. Who says money can't buy love? She says the funniest things.

My Little Chef

A picture really is worth a thousand words. Imagine my delight when

I came around the corner and found this. Gotta love two year old chefs!

Do you notice the tiny handprint in the photo above in the upper left hand corner? She left her mark.

Thank goodness for microfiber is all I have to say about that!

Up Close and Personal

The girls and I had a very informal photo shoot the other night. Informal meaning I decided to break out the camera while they were being decidedly very adorable. I just made sure to add my flash to get rid of some of the harsh glare. They really go without explanation. In my completely unbiased opinion they might just be two of the most gorgeous girls ever:)

Little A is so alert these days.

And my brown eyed Ella. She's a handful but boy is she cute.

I love having a blue eyed girl too:)

Her hair is a mess but she actually smiled for this photo. I love it!

Don't you just want to kiss those cheeks? I do all the time!

And these were taken after church but Ella's just so darn cute I had to include them... plus her hair is actually done in these.

The girls, the nursery, the love

I wanted to post a few more photos of the girls nursery. Given the limited amount of space we have these days, I'm pretty proud of our new little set up. This little decorating challenge (fitting all their toys, their beds, their clothes, etc. into a small space while still trying to achieve a pleasing aesthetic) gave me something to look forward to. Shaun's mom helped me pull it all together.

I sometimes wonder why I didn't pursue interior design. Not that I'm necessarily good at it but I love doing it so much. Of course if it were my day job I might not enjoy it like I do currently with only having it as a hobby. Anyway, cute nursery, even cuter girls. Now if only we can get both of them to sleep in their room? Ella's having a horrible time sleeping right now. Amelia's actually sleeping quite well, but between the two of them we aren't getting all that much sleep. Ella's been ending up in our bed some mornings after waking up every hour on the hour and let me say it's very difficult with your two year-old's foot sticking in your ear. Some mornings all four of us are in bed with Shaun and I on the very edges afraid to make a move or both of them will wake up and disrupt the few moments of peace before another day starts. Aaah parenthood. I write this down now because I'm told I may forget one day.

Hope

Our precious little Amelia was blessed at church on Sunday by her dad. It was one of the most tender and sweet blessings in my unbiased opinion. Truly Shaun must have been in tune with the Spirit for I too had been feeling many of the things that were said about her and blessings pronounced upon her. I was able to jot down some notes before Ella took my pen and began using it to draw all over the Sacrament meeting program. I think the most touching thing to me was that she would continue to have the sweet disposition in life she has had thus far and her disposition will be a blessing of peace and hope to her family members. I think this was particularly moving for me because she has already in her short little life brought feelings of peace and hope to me as her mother. Having two has been a pretty rough road so far. Some days I'm not sure how I will get through the day, let alone the week. I have been feeling pretty low and there's a pretty strong chance I may be having some Post Pardom blues if not full blown depression, but the one thing that has continued to bring a smile to my face is Amelia's sweet little disposition. One smile from her and I melt. She is so completely lovable and it seems some days she just knows how hard things are for me and she will be particularly sweet those days. She will coo and gaa and then drift off to sleep without a peep. I'm so grateful Heavenly Father sent me this little girl as I know she will continue to be a source of peace and hope in my life.

My parents, Shaun's mom, and his aunt Pixie and cousin Tyler came to the blessing. We were also really happy to have our good friends, The Bonacci's, come into town. They came down for a job interview Monday and we're keeping our fingers crossed they join us in VA soon:) Their little boy, Peter, plays so well with Ella. Unlike her though he loves to pose for the camera.