"It was a very magical, beautiful day"

Are you wondering what day I am talking about? CHRISTMAS MORNING.

I spent a lot of time, effort and money (I started shopping for E in Oct, so I wouldn't over spend) to make E's THRID Christmas perfect. As last year she was super sick w.her first of many double Ear infections.

This was the 1st year since she was born in 2008,  that I have done Christmas alone. We are in our own place and I got to do it my way. I wanted it to be perfect.

I loved our tree & it was so much fun to decorate just E and I. We had decorations around the house, not too many but enough for it being our first Christmas. We did not do lights outside, I was sad about that. But theres always next year.

Christmas eve we went to church, as always. Then on to my Grans house for our tradition of doing Christmas w.my dads family. After munching on some awesome food, doing presents and being at Grans for MANY hours it was time to head home. Going to Grans on C.Eve has been going on since before I was born over 24yrs ago (Old tradition). So when we were walking to my car, I told E to look for Rudolph's nose, just like my dad used to do for me when I was little (old tradition). It was known to us that 'Santa' was in the US as I had been "tracking" him via iPhone (new tradition)! He would be in FL soon. So we quickly got E in her carseat and headed home.

E & her cousin, Luke. Not only did they match but Lukes babysister, Ellie, his mom 

Missy and I all had those jams on too! 

(His dad Mike has them too, he just didnt wear them)

Once we were home, we had to set out the cookies we decorated earlier that day and milk for santa! Along with E's note to him. It was glorious. She was giddy with excitement. Then since she was already jammied it was off to bed, so Santa could visit.

I forgot to to take a pic when we put it out Christmas eve, so this was in the AM.

As you can see Santas bite from a cookie. (old tradition).

I put up a babygate (i hate doing this!) in front of her room to keep her from sneaking out of her room. Not that it was needed, she passed out before I was even out of her room.

I made sure everything was perfect, for Santas 1st visit to our home. I caught Santa in our home!! E loved/loves this pic so much. She told me how awesome it was, to see Santa!

We have a hard copy of this too. New tradition.

Then Came C.Morning. My mom and stepdad (Nana & Papa) came over at 640a, as E normally wakes between 630-700. Once they got here I started the coffee and went to get E up, My stepdad videoed the WHLOLE THING, presents and while we played too. I will look back on that video and love and cherish it. I am so blessed.

I took down the gate and opened her door and she was AWAKE!! Waiting for mama. I said "Merry Christmas honey!" "Do you know who came to see us last night?" 

She got all smiley and said "SANTA". 

Me: "Thats right, Santa came to see you. Lets go see what he left"

I held her hand and we went to investigate what Santa left her. 

HE LEFT HER A LETTER, on the back of hers! She was so excited. It even mentioned her Elf on a Shelf, Niko-Reeves (she named him all by herself). She squealed when she heard me read that.

This is Santa's letter to E, its on the back of hers! I sense a new tradition, here too!

Once she saw all her presents, she just turned to me with this adorable shy smile/look and hugged me super tight. Then hugged my mom and stepdad. She is such a lover girl. I told her they were from Santa and I asked her if she wanted to start opening her presents. She said "I need milk mama" So I got her some milk and she started. 

From Santa. (Not the rocking horse, that was from  Santa lastyr)

First was the stocking. Then presents FROM SANTA followed by Presents FROM MAMA. 

View of the entire room. Presents from mama are under the tree still.

After everything was opened, we played with her new toys for a little while then it was time to pack-up the car to go to my Dad and Step-moms house (Peepaw & Grandma). 

Me & my girl, playing with her Vet set!

OHMIGAWD! The destruction after BOTH Santa and Mama.

E HAD TO TAKE her Woody & Jessie, from Santa, to PeePaws house. 

Once we arrived at my Dad's at about 9:10a, we had a lovely breakfast, as always (or for the last 12ish years-tradition). E didn't eat much, 1/2 a waffle, as she was on a Christmas present high. After talking and breakfast it was time for more presents.

E & my dad, woody & jessie, from Santa.

My 11 year old sister separated/passed out all the presents and we did 1 at a time in a circle. Starting with my 5 year old niece and ending with my step-sister, Alicia.  Peepaw & grandma went very last. 

We had such a great and fun time at my dads. I swear this is the BEST age, 2 1/2 almost 3 (in April) for Christmas. She is just starting to get it. 

After we were at my dads for a while, it was time to load all the goodies into my SUV and head to my mom's for Naps (for E) and presents, followed by late lunch/early dinner. 

E took a 2.5 hour nap, while my sister, Jessica, my mom & stepdad and I all opened our presents. Once E woke-up, it was her turn! 

E hugging on her 2 Brutis the buckeye dolls from Aunt Jessica, 

who is a BUCKEYE herself.

PRINCESS JAMMIES from Aunt Pam.

1/2way through my camera died & I about cried. I got over 150+ pics, from my house, dads and moms, before the battery died so I am okay with that.

We were at my moms till 730p, when I decided it was time to head home, to clean-up and get E in bed. Thankfully I only live about 10 minutes from my mom. Once home I got E cleaned-up and Jammied. We played a round of memory, a favorite from my dad, and then it was bed for her. 

Shortly after E was in bed and the car was unloaded and house somewhat in order my mom, stepdad and Jessica came over for some "GOLF", the greatest card game ever. We played 18holes (this takes a few hours) and they headed home. 

I was up till after 1am getting everything cleaned up and put away, should have gone to bed earlier, as I was awoken at 2am to a very sick babygirl, but thats for another blog and time. 

All-in-all this was by far the BEST CHRISTMAS I have ever had, in my whole life. The day was Perfect and magical in every way it should have been and in some ways I didnt expect. The day couldn't have been any more perfect than it already was. 

I was sad to see Christmas day go, but I have made some great [new and old] traditions for many years  to come. Not to mention the great memories made and captured by my vid and reg cam. 

I am still talking about how wonderful Christmas was. 

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Keep up in between posts, I Tweet , A lot.

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Merry Christmas"

Here are a few pics of E getting ready for the "Big Day"... We do all our decorating the day after Thanksgiving, so thats when these were taken (Minus the one of the 2 of us, that was a week or so ago)

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**This was our Christmas Card this year. I was on a budget and could only order so many. I am sorry if you didn't receive one. Family members got one first (I am sure you understand) and then those friends who are like family came next, I had a hard time this year b/c I wanted to send oodles and oodles out but w/the new expense of the house I just couldn't afford too. I love my blog family, too!  

Merry Christmas!  -K & E

"Take A Moment..."

... During the hustle and bustle and 'stress' of getting ready for Christmas, TO THINK ABOUT OUR TROOPS FIGHTING IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ. 

Even those deployed and away from their families, they may not be in Iraq or Afghanistan but THEY ARE deployed, doing their job and AWAY FROM THEIR LOVED ONES THIS HOLIDAY. 

Take a moment to say a prayer for them, they are FIGHTING & PROTECTING YOU!

Camouflage And Christmas Lights by Rodney Carrington

Another Year has come and gone,
And I'm still here holdin' on,
To this rifle and a picture of my kids,
They're sayin' its a holiday,
Sure as hell don't feel that way,
I don't think Jesus meant for it to be like this.

A paper star on a plastic tree
Cotton snow in a manger scene
We do the best we can to make it feel like home.
Turkey dinner on paper plates
Sargent bows his head to pray
Boombox playin' silent night
Camouflage and Christmas Lights.

There probably up on the hill by now
Bundled up and sleddin' down
Catchin' snowflakes on the edge of their tongues
Standin' up at the top would be
The prettiest girl I've ever seen
Whispering a quiet prayer for all of us.

A paper star on a plastic tree
Cotton snow in a manger scene
We do the best we can to make it feel like home.
Turkey dinner on paper plates
Sargent bows his head to pray
Boombox playin' silent night
Camouflage and Christmas Lights.

Some say I'm a hero
But I'm just a Dad
Who's trying to protect
The most precious thing I have
Someday I'll be home again
And our world will be right
But for tonight

A paper star on a plastic tree
Cotton snow in a manger scene
We do the best we can to make it feel like home.
Turkey dinner on paper plates
Sargent bows his head to pray
Thank God it's a silent night
Camouflage and Christmas Lights.

Merry Christmas to all those service members away from their families this Holiday Season. Thank you for what you do. 

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Keep up in between posts, I Tweet , A lot.

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Decorations"

The normal time frame for Christmas decorations is THE DAY/WEEK AFTER THANKSGIVING - NEW YEARS DAY. There is NO compromise on this. NO sooner NO longer. At least that is how I see it.

Thats how most ppl in FL saw it too. As you all know, I moved to PA right after Christmas. So when I saw Christmas decor. everywhere I was not surprised in the least.

But as the days & weeks, yes WEEKS started to pass I just figured the decorations would start to come down. Its not usually something you see happen; They are up one day and gone the next. But the thing is... they didn't come down.

Its one thing to leave the lights on your house b.c its SNOWING, Sleeting & the like. It is dangerous to be up on a ladder/roof removing lights in "winter weather". At least remove your lawn ornaments, lights in the windows (inside their homes) & blow up characters, its not hard to walk out into your front yard and take those to the garage or shed. And DON'T turn your lights on EVERY NIGHT the minute it starts to get dark. Its the middle of January people, theres no need for that & really do you want to pay the extra $$ in electric for your CHRISTMAS lights in the middle of Jan? Lets play it smart. I already know you're paying extra to heat your home... its COLD.

I understand, the holidays are fun! You might just be trying to hold on to some of that fun-ness. "They" stated to push Christmas on us E-A-R-L-Y this year but that doesn't mean to prolong it. It was already long enough, I started to see decor. around Halloween. That was plenty long enough for me.

I was talking to M about this, I asked him one night when we were running to the grocery store if it's normal for people in PA/ up north or if its just this town to leave their lights/decorations up for soooo long?

Me: Babe, I've noticed that people still have their lights up all over town. Is that normal?
Him: Hmm I guess I don't really pay it that much attention. Maybe they are still in the Christmas spirit?
Me: Christmas spirit? that was WEEEEEKKKKSSS ago!
Him: Hon IDK why do you care? They will come down, eventually- I mean when you came in August to visit no one had lights up, did they?
Me: No but when I came up in Oct. for my interview- they DID...
Him: Thats b/c people up here like to decorate for the holidays & you were here near Halloween. Baby, I don't know why you are so concerned by this.
Me: ...

I noticed late last week/ early this week that the Christmas lights had come down... FINALLY.

B-U-T

<span style="font-weight:bold;">They had been replaced by ALL red & pink ones! YES. Thats correct! People around here decorate ALL out for Valentines day! Its like Christmas decorations but for Valentines day. Cupids, hearts & such (like they did when I was up in Oct they had like Orange & Black lights on thier homes etc...).

This is so odd. I have never experienced anything like this. Decorating, all out, for EVERY holiday. I've seen ppl who put up house flags or something small on their mailbox or a little something similar. I mean we always changed our house flag for the season/holiday but apparently the people in this town are all about who can out decorate who. Its like I want to out do the Jones'. Good Lord.

To top it all off when I was at lunch with my friend Andy & I was telling him about how weird I find the decorating, he laughed then told me about this one family down the street from him who has a goose in their front yard and they switch its outfit for every holiday BIG or little. (ie: Vday, St. Pattys Day, Easter, etc...) He said the decor. on ppls home is normal (for hm anyways; b/c he's used to it) but the Goose is the most ridiculous thing he has ever seen.

Here are a few pics (sry for the shoddy quality I was driving when they were taken): One os of a house that went ALL out the other is just one w.a few flags:



**What do you think about over decoration in my new town? weird? Is your town like this?**

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DON'T FORGET the BLOG got a FACELIFT && a NEW NAME Monday and If youre reading this in reader or the likes make sure you check out the new look & tell me what you think... Here.



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Happy Hump Day- I hope to see you all back here tomorrow for "Convo w/a Toddler" @ Kandid Kelli

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