It just keeps getting better...

The last two Christmas holidays have been beyond amazing. I know now it's because of the kids. I have always adored Christmas, but watching it through your own babies eyes...it's just one of those things you really can't explain. My aunt asked me why I hadn't opened any gifts, and I realized I was just too busy taking it all in. The gifts were nice of course, but truly, just being with my family and children is all I could ever want. It sounds token, but I feel so fulfilled and happy and ridiculously blessed. I love this moment in life and wish I could hit the pause button. It's insane, need sleep, wish I had more me time....blah, blah, blah. But I know I will look back on these precious years and wish for them back!

This holiday was very stress free, chill and FUN! Just like I like it :) We spent Christmas Eve in Farmersville, Texas with the Moran-Cottier fam (Mel's family). Scott and Kelley made my dad's famous Cashew Chicken for dinner. We were all in pain from overindulging!! After dinner we gathered around the tree and watched the kids open presents. Here are a few pictures from Christmas Eve:

Alex is our favorite gift under the tree!


My parents watched the kids so we could go to a Christmas party.
Then off we went to spend Christmas Eve with the family.


Nathan and I at the Wagner's home on Christmas Eve in Farmersville.
It was 75 degrees!


Natalee Grace (9 months) loving on Carson.


Nikki (Alex's 2nd cousin) was soooo great with her!
We really want to steal her :)


Alex and YaYa were inseparable as always!


Mom and Dad opening a special gift from the kids.

We came back to our house at the end of the evening and baked sugar cookies for Santa and wrote him a letter with final requests.

They included:

• Sleeping Beauty show
• Ariel that swims in the swimming pool
• A bigger potty (umm she uses a regular one like everyone does. She said it needs to be really big!)
• A pony
  

I kept telling Alex the cookies were for SANTA...
but she insisted on shoving an entire cookie in her mouth!


We woke up the next morning and sure enough, Santa came!
Alex got a Disney Princess tricycle! She was stylin' & profilin'


My precious hubby LOVES to take pictures of me "au naturale"
...aka no make-up and pre coffee. NOT OKAY!


It was a mad house opening gifts! Mommy in the middle


B.B. sandwich


Emmy was in the middle of it all as usual


Alex showing off her new make-up kit. Notice she's still learning


We caught some precious moments as well.
Here is YaYa with the new man in her life


Alex and B.B. share a special moment together
...looking at her new Sleeping Beauty DVD


Sweet baby girl opening gifts


Mommy and Carson shared some super cute moments
in the middle of the chaos...
"Hmm..not sure what I think about this lady"


"Well, she does like to cuddle me quite a bit..."


"Okay, okay, I think she's hilarious!!!"


And of course, we have to end on an Alex funny.
After we opened all of the gifts, she was ready to watch
her Sleeping Beauty DVD. She got all comfy in her princess
chair to watch the movie. My mom told Nathan to grab the
camera and get this shot. I love the look on her face...
"What do you want? Can't you see I am busy?!"
Does she realize her panties are 1/2 way off? Typical!!

What an awesome Christmas it was at the Darby home! I can't believe next year we will have an almost 5 year old and a 15 month old running around everywhere!!

We wish you a Merry Christmas

I love taking this time to look back at all of the changes that happen in just one year. Our biggest change this year, is the addition of our son, Carson Kyle Darby. I can't think of a day in his precious life that I haven't thanked God for him. He is my little angel. Here are some photos from the past few years....my little girl is growing up. Wow, thank you God for this amazing journey.

Christmas card 2008:

Christmas card 2007:

Alex and Carson with Santa (Alex: 3 1/2, Carson: 3 months):

Alex with Santa, 2007 (age 2 1/2):

Alex, 2006 (1 1/2 years):

Alex with Santa (10 months):
Merry Christmas to each of you. Enjoy every moment...it goes WAY too fast!