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Friday, January 4, 2013

Christmas


     Nearly 2 weeks later, the Christmas post!!! Phew- time off from school and work must be more challenging because I really slacked in posting much during the holiday season. Perhaps we were too busy creating more memories and things I will be able to share here in the future ;)

 Santa visited the Apedaile6 house. Too bad he didn't take time to repair the pre-lit tree that clearly suffered this Christmas season. It wasn't until I took the photo that it was very apparent that the lights were so pathetic.

 Even though JT was very excited for Christmas, he slept in until 8:30! We were all eager to see his reaction to the tree. I was ready downstairs to snap some pics of his reactions. I think John was more excited than JT here!

 Checking out Santa's cookies and milk that had been enjoyed during his visit.


 Look at all the presents!!!

 The annual photo of the kids by the tree.

 Then we moved into the living room, near the cozy fire to open stockings and presents.

 Along with a few fun little items, Santa includes practical things like new toothbrushes. JT was excited to put it to use.


The kids and their mounds of gifts.
 JT had Elf themed wrap.

 Courtney had a pretty damask pattern.

 Lindsay had red with lots of seasonal words.

 Sarah has Santa and his reindeer paper.

Highlights of presents


 Mini Harry Styles from One Direction





 The three sisters had one set of presents they needed to open at the same time.

 What could it be? Lindsay seems to have an idea....

 Oooooo Wow!!!

Their first Coach bags! Cute little wristlets. Lindsay & Courtney felt like supermodels immediately with their duckface poses. 

 This gift was something JT kept talking about after meeting Santa in Bass Pro Shop. JT would talk about the red truck pulling the boat with all the little accessories every single day. It was a must have on his list.

The big gifts
 Courtney received her big gift early as she wanted to sign up to play on a club volleyball team. So to round out that gift, Santa brought some new volleyball practice gear. The team starts practices next week and Courtney is super excited to play and improve her skills.


 A new camera for Lindsay!!! She was the only sister who didn't have her own personal camera. Now she can capture all of her high school memories and friends.

 JT was excited just with the size of his big gift.

 A BIG Tonka truck!!!

 JT immediately zoomed through the house.

 It's so big, that JT can comfortably ride in the back.

 While Courtney had her big gift, this was by far her largest gift!

 A London wall hanging for her room! She is quite the lover of anything London/UK these days thanks to her being a "Directioner". I thought it might have to do with embracing her family history since the Apedaile's originated in England ;)

 Sarah's gift was in a pretty large box itself.

 Fooled you! A smaller gift wrapped and disguised in the larger box. What could it be???

A new iPhone!!! Sarah's old Blackberry was on a quick downward spiral and nearly dead. Sarah decided to join all the cool kids and get the best phone in the planet. 

It was indeed a very Merry Christmas here at the Apedaile house.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Cookies for Santa

     Right after we finished decorating the cookies, it was nearing time to head to bed so Santa could visit. JT understood full well about Santa visiting and bringing presents.

 He had been watching our Santa countdown for about 2 weeks, notifying us every day of how many more days until Christmas. It was adorable to see JT understanding more this year about Christmas and seeing his joy in things like decorations, lights, and music.

 Lindsay helped JT carry out the cookies JT selected to put out for Santa.

 JT chose the table with the manager scene to place Santa's milk and cookies.

 Adding the milk to the table.

One excited little boy ready for Christmas!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Christmas Sugar Cookies

     Another Christmas Eve tradition we have is to make cut out sugar cookies. The kids and I set out early in the day to make the cookies so we could decorate them later that evening.

 By this time, we had made the dough and were ready to start rolling it out

 Courtney showing JT how to roll out the cookie dough.

 JT rolling it out.

 He's my little chef. Anytime I'm in the kitchen, he loves to put on one of my aprons, pull out his step stool, and help me out.

 So focused.

Sprinkle a bit of flour on the surface.

 Time to cut out the cookies!

 Lindsay had a bit too much fun with the flour.

 We also made cookies out of funfetti cake mix. They were yummy, but they were a bit over baked for the 1st batch. Will be trying it again soon.

 Later that night, we got everything out to decorate the cookies.

 JT had a blast decorating! He loved using all the sugar sprinkles and referred to them as sparkles. So cute!

 Courtney focused on her cookie.

 A present!

 Lindsay's adorable Santa.

 A perfectly decorated tree.

 JT's stocking.

 Sarah's ornament.

 John's candy cane.

Our collection of cookies! We discovered that JT has a great love for these cookies and devoured many of these yummy cookies.