Like this:

Christmas with Kendal was so much fun this year. She’s at the age where she gets it. Well she got the Santa part anyway, maybe not the Jesus’ birth part so much, which is probably our fault for not emphasizing that more.

Even though we didn’t go to the mall and “see” Santa this year, she did get a personalized video from him, compliments of Portable North Pole. She was soooo excited to hear that she was on his Nice List, which we were then able to use to threaten her with when she was not being so nice. Now that it’s over and Santa has come and gone we have resorted to threats of calling Santa to take her presents back. It’s mean, I know, but it’s amazing how well it works! I’m not sure what we’re going to do come mid-January when even that begins to seem like a meaningless and empty threat.

Probably my favorite part of the whole Christmas experience was to see how excited she got opening each and every present. With each gift she opened she’d say, “Oh! Just what I always wanted!!” She was so gracious and appreciative and said “thank you” many times without being prompted.

I’ve always thought that Christmas is a magical and joyous time, but it has become even more so getting to see it through my daughter’s eyes.

Here’s some pictures from all of our celebrations.

Oh Christmas Tree!

Santa Came!

It's a Lalaloopsy Doll! She quickly learned they don't sit or stand or talk so maybe not as cool as she thought!

Matching shirts for her and her sister.

In her Christmas dress on Christmas Eve at Grandma Lynn's and Papa Glenn's

Grandma Eli and her grandkids and great-grandkids

Sitting with Uncle (almost) Rusty opening presents.

Candyland from Krissy and Rusty and baby stuff from Grandma and Papa.

Cousins in their Christmas jammies

A kiddy i-pad from Grandma Rob.

A recorded book from Dee Dee.

And a trampoline from Grandma Rob. She's already twisted her knee jumping on it.

A talking, dancing, egg laying, dragon from Papa Gene. And Toy Story Operation. Finally what she was asking for (one of the many things).