Happy birthday Grace!

Yesterday was Grace's 8th birthday!  Unfortunately, it began with her not feeling well - boo.  But after a few bowls of dried cheerios, she felt much better by early afternoon.  Whew!

As a surprise, I hung up pink and purple streamers from her door which she discovered in the middle of the night when she got up.  She really thought that was fun and wants to keep them up for awhile.  We decided to not make a cake, since next weekend we will have her cake and party. 

So we made homemade chocolate chip cookies and finished decorating the approximately 100 cake balls that we made.  (Thank you, Bakearella, for introducing the world to these delicious treats!) 

Bruno bought the candles that we put in the chocolate chip cookies and sang her "happy birthday"!  What was so funny is that they were trick candles so they kept re-lighting.  She was thought it was hilarious!

Grace really is an amazing little girl.  While she may be 8, she is still my little girl.  She still sits on my lap.  She still gives me hugs when I pick her up from school and when I say goodbye to her in the morning.  I know these are little things but I also know that these things won't last forever.  She is incredibly sensitive (in a very sweet and caring way).  She is confident and strong.  She is a very driven student and loves reading and learning.  She keeps us laughing when she acts silly.  She is a wonderful big sister to Abby.  We love her so much and we wish her a very happy birthday!

Christmas in Massachusetts

We had such a fabulous time in Massachusetts with Bruno's family.  The girls were so excited to see their auntie, uncle, cousin Ava and nana and grandpa.  So excited in fact that when we put them in the car at 4:45 a.m. to drive to MA, they never went back to sleep!  The three girls had so much fun playing with each other and doing fun projects.  We were there for quite a few days to really enjoy the season and relax with family.  It was a special holiday and we had a great time!

Grace and her Auntie

We went to a great little, hands-on aquarium in New Bedford.  Grace was nervous about holding the star fish but eventually did after Bruno and I held it.

Abby, on the other hand, is not nervous about touching sharks and sting rays...hmmm.

They had a little craft station at the aquarium where you could paint a scallop shell.

Hot chocolate after Christmas Eve dinner - A tradition in Madeira

Hot chocolate is all gone - see!

"I love having chocolate right before bed... my mom would never let me do this

which is why I love being at Nana's!"

Now I have several other adorable pictures of pajamas that Maurilia made for the girls and more fun times but I am having trouble loading them - they are only load sideways and I can't fix it.  So, for now, I'll sign off and hopefully can upload the pictures next week!

Merry Christmas - Virginia Style

Wow - where does time go?  I had every intention of posting this right after our Virginia Christmas but I guess I got caught up getting ready for our Massachusetts Christmas.  Yes, two Christmas celebrations - we are blessed! 

In early December, Grace and I attended our annual Nutcracker performance.  Only this year, I splurged and got tickets to the Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center.  The costumes and the orchestra were amazing.  We had a wonderful time and were so glad our friend Nicole could join us.

Since we always travel for Christmas to either Michigan or Massachusetts, we started a tradition a few years ago where we would have our own Christmas first.  Mainly so that we wouldn't have to bring all of our gifts to each other to either MI or MA.  This year we had a great change for our Virginia Christmas.  My parents joined us for our celebration. We always try to make it a special weekend and we get very excited for Santa to make a special trip. 

In 2010 we started a new tradition of visiting the White House and Capitol Christmas trees.  The White House also has "Santa's Workshop" where you can see Santa.  Last year the line was too long but this year, we decided to wait in the freezing cold to see the real Santa.  Grace was sooooo excited to see Santa.  She said he was so calm and sweet.  We were all like kids in a candy store walking through Santa's workshop and seeing him.  It truly was magical (and warm... it was very cold outside)!

The White House tree with the little state trees in the background.

 I guess the cold was getting to little Abby - she doesn't look so happy!

LOVE this picture of my mom and dad!

The Capitol Christmas tree - gorgeous!

Then it was on to cookie making, gingerbread making (it fell about 30 minutes after we finished) and candy making.

We had a fabulous Christmas morning with Kerri and Mark joining us later that afternoon. 

I love pictures of little ones seeing the presents for the first time on Christmas morning.

Santa brought Grace's treasured Kanani doll!

And Santa brought Abby's Bitty Baby

Santa left some crumbs that Abby didn't think should go to waste!

Having Christmas on our own special day really makes us realize that Christmas truly is a season of celebrating and giving to others.  We make it what it is - a day to celebrate our faith and our love of family. 

I'll have more on our Massachusetts Christmas in my next post...



And here are the girls and their Christmas pictures:

Abby - 3 years old

Grace - 7 3/4 years old