Merry Christmas!

We've just returned from Pennsylvania where we spent Christmas with Simone's grandparents and cousins.  Simone had a great week in which just about her every holiday wish was granted.  Santa brought her much of her wish list, she went iceskating with her cousins, saw the movie "Sing", learned how to make her own scrambled eggs, got a knitting lesson from Grammy, and we even got a few inches of snow to do some sledding and playing with all the kids.  When I asked her what her favorite part of the week was she paused and said firmly, "All of it."

 The whole adventure started with our traditional Christmas Even dinner and gift exchange.  Aunt Suzy provided matching shirts for all of the littles to wear.

The whole gang on Christmas morning.

With even more cousins at Aunt Sheree's on Christmas day.

All of the girls loved ice skating together.  They stayed on the ice for nearly two hours and worked up quite an appetite.  

Giving Madalyn a helping hand.

After lots of skating and a warm lunch, we ended up with a van full of sleeping littles on the drive  home.

And on the last day, much to everyone's surprise, we woke to a winter wonderland.  The kids could not have been more thrilled!  They had two full rounds of outside play interrupted only by lunch.

Insisted on building the obligatory snowman with no help.  They were so proud of themselves.

And just when they thought it couldn't get any better, Pop delivered the best treat of all...

The holidays are always a favorite time for Simone -- she loves getting so much cousin time.  This one was particularly awesome.  All the kids are growing up so fast, and it's nice to know that they will always have these amazing childhood memories together.  And now, we will ring in the new year back home in Virginia.