Christmas!

We had such a lovely Christmas this year.  The girls are at such a fun age.  Since Cali didn't grace us with her presence until after Christmas, this was her first Christmas!  Whereas Ceci was only 8 months old for hers, Cali was nearly 1 and walking, so she was able to participate in quite a bit.  And being 2.5, Ceci was totally tuned into what was going on and super excited about everything!

The girls both loved decorating the Christmas to start off the festive season.  I think Cali took as many ornaments off as she put on, but Ceci totally had the hang of it and especially enjoyed putting the star on top of the tree.  After that, every time we saw a Christmas tree anywhere Ceci would yell "a Christmas tree - just like our one!".  Too cute.

We saw "Father Christmas" (who Ceci would tells us is also called Santa) four times during the month of December and the girls received a little gift from him each time (and thus were a little less apprehensive of him each time too).

First we saw him at playgroup a couple weeks before Christmas.  Ceci hung back but once she saw he was giving out presents, she walked right up to Santa and asked if she could please have one.  It was adorable.  Cali, on the other hand, took one look at him and burst into tears.

Next up was the families' Christmas party on base.  Cali was still unsure, but no tears this time.  Ceci was again a little shy, but the lure of another present proved all the motivation she needed again.

We then took a special trip on the Santa Train at Ruislip Lido.  It was a sweet miniature train ride through decorated woods to a festive grotto.  Though the waits were incredibly long, the girls were troopers and really enjoyed seeing Santa.  Third time was apparently the charm because Cali was in particularly good spirits and completely captivated by Father Christmas.

On the train!

Lastly was at the Christmas party at Little Shakers - our weekly music class.  I didn't get a chance to snap a picture of the girls getting their presents from Santa, but they had a blast singing, dancing and playing with the "snow".

On Christmas Eve, we stayed local, dressing up for the childrens' carol service at St Martin's in town and then having a lovely family dinner at a restaurant down the road.

The girls then donned their matching Christmas jammies from Nan, laid out a snack for Santa and Rudolph and enjoyed a Christmas story together before bed.

On Christmas morning, Ceci was up before Cali and waited patiently until her sister woke up.  She did spy the scooter Santa left her with a bow on it behind the tree and we let her open her stocking. Once Cali awoke it was present time and the wrapping paper was flying!  Cali got the idea almost immediately and her sister was quick to help as well.

Baby's 1st Christmas

After breakfast, we loaded up in the car to head to Grandad's house.  Being Christmas morning there was absolutely no traffic, so we made it up to Milton Keynes in record time!  After spending the last two Christmases as just our family of 3 in Gibraltar it was really nice to take our now family of 4 to be with extended family this year.  

Cali's first Christmas dinner, sandwiched between Daddy and Uncle Glenn

Meeting new baby cousin Sophia.  Ceci was obsessed.

Enjoying bubble wrap with Grandad

A couple days later we headed back up to Grandad's to see some more extended family we couldn't get to on Christmas day.  The girls loved seeing their family again!

Peek-a-boo with Nana

Cali was in love with cousin Rob and Eloise!

Such lovely memories!  The girls had so much fun and it was so nice to spend time with family. They both enjoyed helping to take down the Christmas tree and pack it away for next year.  Even still, Ceci keeps asking when we get to go see Father Christmas again - it's going to be a long couple months of reminding her that Christmas only comes once a year, I think!