It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Christmas is one week away, and one pint-sized person couldn't be more excited!  Every year gets more fun with her as she truly "believes" and brings back many wonderful Christmas memories to our family.

Here we are working through our Christmas checklist...

Toured the neighborhood Christmas lights.

The Elf on the Shelf has been flying to and from the North Pole for over a month (bribary at its finest).

Lauren and Daddy made the perfect gingerbread house.

Went and told Santa all about the Barbie Boat we want.

We also told Santa, we are ready to get moved up to the "Nice List".

Snow is on the way.

Decorations up.

Stockings hung.

Family arrives next week.

We are ready Santa. Come quickly!

Love the hair for proper gingerbread decorating!  One pony tail in. One pony tail out.

Who would believe we've been a tad bit naughty this year?

Santa, can you bring my Mom a trip to the local shoe store

so I don't have to wear pink crocs with my holiday dress?

Happy Gotcha Day!

Four years ago, on December 3, we officially became a family by the state of Texas although we were already one deep in our hearts.  "Gotcha Day" is such a fun day to be thankful for how far we've come, to forget the challenges that we've faced as parents to this beautiful child, and to just celebrate being brought together.

With balloons and a fruit bouquet, a princess cake (apparently Mom picked out the same one we had for Lauren's fourth birthday - sigh!), and a fun filled evening at Chuck E Cheese, we played and ate and laughed.  Until we passed out!  Our little family of three...Perfect, complicated and just as it should be.