Christmas Cheer

December was a flurry of Christmas Cheer with endless memories whirling all around us! On Wednesday, December 19th you attended preschool for half a day....Daddy surprised you by picking you up after lunch. He brought you home to Mommy who had the truck packed and ready to drive to Georgia. You were delighted that you were finished with preschool and that you were going to Ellada. Only it wasn't Greece we were traveling to this time but Atlanta, Georgia. You were superb on our drive down south. We made record time-------sever hours and just a few minutes (even with bathroom breaks and a quick early dinner)! Although, I was super exhausted once we arrived to Yiayia and Papou's house. The week unfolded with winter weather. Thus, we enjoyed endless hours of indoor fun playing with your cousins---------and Mommy curled up on the chair by the fireplace reading as you played just feet away from me! We traded gifts, talked, laughed and most of all relished the joy on each of your faces this Christmas.

Sophia and Alex (Zach in the background)

Sophia & Yiayia

On the night of the twenty-third, we anticipated Daddy's arrival to Georgia! He came! You were super delighted that he joined us at Yiayia and Papou's house for Christmas. The three of us spent Christmas Eve together driving around Georgia to find a Bass Pro to return Daddy's pants that he bought himself. On our trip out and about we laughed and enjoyed one another's company in the truck. We stopped into an antique store to just browse (something Mommy and Daddy enjoyed prior to having you). Then, we enjoyed a quiet lunch at Chili's (the first place we found that we all agreed on while out and about). Daddy reminisced about all the places we enjoyed eating at when he'd visit me in Georgia when I lived there. We'll have to venture south again as a family to eat and shop at all our favorite places sometime in the coming year. The day brought us full circle back to Yiayia and Papou's house after one stop at Starbucks where Daddy and you found your silly bones-------Atlanta traffic tends to bring this out in us! Although, Daddy and you keep the sillies.....

Silly Sophia

Silly Sophia Mimicking Daddy's Silliness

Silly Daddy-O

Back at Yiayia's house, we celebrated Yiayia's birthday (December 24th). She turned 66 on Christmas Eve surrounded by 4 of her nine grandchildren (one in Holly's tummy, Elle, who is due in January). All us had dinner together and enjoyed her birthday cakes with her and Papou. The three of you, Alex, Zach, and you, Sophia played, played, played........until it was pajama time! You each looked out the window of Santa's sleigh-----and you eventually set out cookies and milk for Santa before turning in on Christmas Eve.

Yiayia's Special Birthday Card from YOU

Yiayia turns 66 & makes a birthday wish

Looking for Santa's Sleigh on Christmas Eve

Cookies and Milk for Santa

Then, Christmas morning arrived! Daddy had been up for awhile. He'd had his coffee and a BIG grin kept crossing his face as I'd say, "Shhh! Let her sleep!"------half asleep myself! When he finally did wake you, I had to stall him in rushing you to see what Santa had left you by the Christmas tree. I needed to find my camera for a few priceless Christmas morning photographs.

Santa's Gifts for Sophia

You were truly delighted with each gift this year at Christmas. You  loved your new baby dolls the most (who would have guessed------us as we watch you play with them everyday!)!! And you loved having clothes like Mommy's-----notice the black shirt and leopard leggings you are wearing! A few days before we left for Georgia you had announced in the bathroom as we were getting you ready for preschool that you wanted clothes like Mommy's for Christmas. Yiayia could not have possibly heard you and I didn't share but when you opened this gift, you beamed! Needless to say, you didn't want to take them off for Mommy to wash them either. But eventually, you did but not before I captured this picture of you surrounded by your toys playing.......I love to watch you play.

After Christmas Joy, Sophia

.......and just two days after Christmas, we celebrated again. Daddy had to leave for home after Christmas with us. You were sad, sad, sad and demanded we go home now but I coaxed you into staying so that we could celebrate Mommy's birthday. It was a cold wintry day on December 27th but we all managed to meet at P.F. Chang's (Mommy's dinner request) to enjoy a family dinner. The food and the company were magical and the best gift of all was having you say, "Happy Birthday, Mommy! I love you!" Those words resonated in my heart all day and still bring a smile to my face. When I asked you what Daddy and you bought me for my birthday, you said, "Mommy, we used up all the presents at Christmas. There are no more presents under the tree." You silly girl. You should have kept out just one-------but that you did! You were my birthday gift as I was surrounded by you and family on my thirty-eighth birthday! And all the phone calls, texts, and Facebook messages that day all added to the excitement of celebrating one more year......we even discovered that you love Tiramisu on my birthday. It's one of my favorite desserts. You devoured my mini piece of cake served to me on my birthday--------and I was glad you share it with you.

Mommy & Sophia @ P.F. Chang's

Mommy turns 38 surrounded by family

Papou, Alex, Sophia, & Yiayia

The rest of our stay in Georgia, we spent at Holly and Pete's apartment with their boys, Alex and Zach------you all played, played, and played. Yiayia and Papou joined us a time or two for coffee and/or dinner. The hours together were perfect--------unplanned family time with laughs, tickles and more.

End of the year Snapshot: Where's Papou?

.......and when we finally arrived safely home on Sunday, December 30th, Daddy's joy and ours was sheer delight all over again. Our day at home ended with a bedtime prayer from you as you asked God to bless us each. You called our names....Daddy, Mommy, Sophia, Yiayia, Papou, Holly, Pete, Alex, Zach, and the new baby, Elle! Amen! And might I include a blessing for those in our family that were not able to be with us this year........but their voices and hearts intertwined with ours this Christmas and we ask of God to bless them and their homes too--------and grace us with Christmas Cheer again in 2013.