Christmas 2011...The year of "Ho Ho!"

We had a great Christmas this year.  Sayler really started to get into Santa (aka "Ho Ho") this year and I know next year it will be ON up in the Doss house as far as Ho Ho is concerned.  She loved opening presents for herself and anyone else that would let her tear into their gift.  She did really well all day long on Christmas Day and didn't have to many, "Oh my word I'm overwhelmed by all of this stuff and sugar and attention and more stuff and attention meltdowns."  And for that we all said, "thank you baby Jesus."  Here are a few highlights of the days leading up to the big day and our big Ho Ho Christmas too.

WHAT??? Christmas is over???  Say it ain't so!!!

Sayler was quality control during Mama's Christmas candy making. Employee of the month material.

We had lots of Christmas inspired outfits to wear the week of Christmas.  I tried to get a picture each day.

Not really excited about the early photo shoot this particular morning.

This was more her speed.  Popcicles, Papa and iPad books!

One might start to think she likes being the center of attention.

We have a Griswold house near us and she loved showing Nana and Papa all of the Christmas wonderment.

Yay for tacky Christmas decor and candy canes!!!

Daddy and his little elf soaking in all of the Christmas.

There's a major love affair going on here folks.  She can't get enough of them.

I think the feeling is mutual.

We let Say open presents from her Aunts and Uncles on Christmas Eve. Not sure what was going on with my hair here...but I promise I did not sport a Princess Lea hairdo for the holiday.  Saving that for New Years.

She had her eye on this Dora present for at least a week.  Thanks Aunt Michelle!

She got a big ol' Princess book and wanted to see all of the princesses that had their "hair down."  She's obsessed.

Not a gender neutral environment here by any stretch of the imagination.  We are all girl...all the time.

Puzzles...yippee!!!

She LOVED her Peyown ("Penguin") pillow pet.

But let me tell you...for the $$$ nothing packs a punch like Elefun.  It was some serious Ele-FUN!!!

And it has some longevity people.  I bought this same gift for the two little girls I nannied for *gulp* 14 years ago.  They loved it in 1997 and my little sweetie loved it over a decade later.  I highly recommend it...for about 5 minutes.  And then you will want to throw it off the deck.  But anything for the kids right?

Does it get more fun than this...

As Sayler would say, "No ma'am!"

Getting Ho Ho's cookies ready. Apparently, she needed to have her Carmex at the ready. Moisturized lips are key for a successful Christmas.

Again...quality control.

I mean seriously...this is one cute Christmas Baby Girl.

We tried to get a good shot right before bed.  She was a bit focused on the cookies.

This was the best we could get.

I sure hope I'm on the nice list!  

Santa ate all the cookies, drank the milk and left a nice note.

Apparently, she was good.  Here was her haul Christmas morning.

Santa left a trail of candy canes from her bedroom to her presents.  She loved this and I thought it was such a cute idea.  I stole it from a former co-worker...and will do it every year.  I mean, I will tell Santa to do this every year.

She is a big time mother hen and loves to take care of her babies.  Changing their diapers was how we spent the majority of the day.

She was on the Elf diet on Christmas, "Candy, candy corn, candy canes, and syrup." 

She was "rock rocking" her baby.

Patting her back and "sushing" her.  Such a good little Mommy.

She got a Dr.'s kit and loved giving everyone their "meh-sun."

Nana and Papa got her the coolest doll house with all of the bells and whistles.  She LOVES it!

Our neighbors came over and Sayler decided to let them in on the Elf diet as well.

The next morning we celebrated Nana's birthday with a birthday brunch and Sayler sang her "Happy To You," no less than 7 times.  Happy To You Nana!!!

We are so blessed to have had such a special Christmas and can't imagine what it will be like next year with a 3 year old and a 9 month old!  Looking forward to all of the memories we will be creating.