A Day in the Life of the Davidsons: January 2013

Friday, January 4, 2013

Our Christmas 2012

We had Christmas at home on Wednesday. This was the first year Ella really noticed that we were not celebrating Christmas on the 25th, and even though she liked to point out to Cade that this was "our Christmas, but not the real Christmas," she went along with it. She was more concerned with how Santa would know to come Tuesday night instead of Monday night. We managed to convince her that Santa makes a special trip for little kids whose parents have to work on Christmas Eve and she bought it wholeheartedly. =) Ella and Cade each picked a special cookie they had decorated to leave for Santa.

After reading the Christmas story, we cuddled on the couch for a few more Christmas shows before it was off to bed.

Santa came and worked his magic like only he can...

On Wednesday morning, Chris and I woke up way before the kiddos. We were sitting and drinking coffee when we heard Cade jump out of bed and start to run down the stairs. Chris said loudly, "Ho! Ho! Ho!" and the next thing we heard was Cade running back up the stairs and jumping back in his bed! haha! We waited several minutes and heard nothing. Finally, I went upstairs and found both Ella and Cade in their beds, wide-eyed and looking very serious. Ella whispered, "Mom, is Santa downstairs?" I had to try really hard to keep from laughing. I said, "No, but he's been here," and Cade said, "But who said ho, ho, ho?" I started laughing then and Ella said, "It was Daddy?? He scared us half to death!" haha! What a fun memory! I guess they figured they would just stay in bed until they decided the coast was clear. Chris and I have laughed about that so many times since then. The kids are at such fun ages for all the magic of Christmas.
Ella and Cade looked through their stockings while we waited for Harper to wake up.

Such excitement over a light-up toothbrush!

We finally woke Harper up a little while later and she took her sweet time looking through her stocking. Her favorite part was the candy, of course. =)

The three best gifts under the tree

On to the presents!! New movies! Cade opened Brave and Chipwrecked, and Ella opened Chipmunks The Squeakquel and a Barbie movie.

Ella couldn't wait for Cade to open the new Lightning McQueen rainboots she gave him and he put them on right away.

Insert lots of squeals here- clothes from Justice!

Cade got a new John Deere tractor from Mom and Dad

We finally pulled Harper away from the candy long enough to open a present- a new doll stroller!

Santa brought Ella the Strawberry Shortcake cafe she wanted.

And Santa brought Cade his very own DS! Boy, was he surprised! He had asked for a DS, but Ella kept telling him he wasn't old enough to have one, so she was surprised, too! haha! And check out the blue socks- this little boy loves his "church socks" and was so happy to open some new ones.

Strawberry Shortcake was cracking us up with her dress and light-up slippers.

And Cade kept making laugh with his new headlight.

Harper tried on her new Minnie Mouse accessories. Love this girl!

The last thing Ella opened was "the best gift ever"- the white furry boots she wanted.

She wasted no time changing clothes yet again. She popped in her new Taylor Swift cd... and our six year old was gone! This picture is a pretty good indication of what she's been doing for the last week. haha!

She paused long enough to give her little sister a ride in the new doll stroller. =)

Chris and I were spoiled, too- new shoes, cologne and perfume, clothes for me, some Cowboys and Purdue stuff for him. We spent the rest of the day watching movies, eating leftover turkey, and just playing with new toys and games. What a very special and wonderful time with my little family of five!

Davidson Christmas 2012

We celebrated Christmas with the Davidsons on Sunday night/ Christmas Eve morning. There was a new shopping cart waiting on Harper when she arrived, so she immediately went to work being a little mommy.

Harper always has cuddle time for Aunt Kellie.

Ella, Payton, Cade, and an uncooperative Harper

The only family pic we managed to take this Christmas. I'm happy with it, except that my kiddos are not supposed to look so big!!

Ella and Cade were excited to give Mamaw and Papaw their gift. They gave them a new camera that (hopefully) takes pictures of their fast-moving grandkids.

Harper and her new Bitty Baby

Ella just giggled when she tore off the wrapping paper and saw a Justice box- it could be a lump of coal but as long as it is from Justice- she will love it!

Cade opened some new hot wheels and a new microphone on a stand! Just what he was wanting to go with his guitar!

He didn't waste any time before running to the back room and giving it a try. Love him!! Guitar lessons in his future??

Ella and her new American Girl doll, Hannah. Thanks so much, Aunt Pam and Uncle Dave!!

I'm pretty excited about my gifts from Mark and Cheryl- a new huge food processor (I've been wanting one forever!) and a gift certificate for a massage- awesome! They gave Chris and Kyle the Nascar experience at the Kentucky Speedway- they are so pumped! Thanks so much, you all!
Four generations. We are so blessed!

Just because it's cute- Cade playing the guitar while his big sis sings.

What great time with family!! My only complaint is that it went by too quickly! I kind of hated my holiday work schedule this year, because it left us with less than 48 hours with our families before we had to rush home so I could work Christmas Eve. I try not to dwell on it, because I know it's part of the job and I know it could always be worse. And so many of my patients are more of a blessing to me than I could ever be to them. But it's still really hard to leave my family to go to work on the holidays. Hopefully this time next year, I will be preparing to take my boards and holiday night shift at the hospital will become a distant memory!!

Lawyer Christmas 2012

We celebrated Christmas with my family on Saturday night/ Sunday morning before Christmas. You know it never really feels like the holidays until I get to Mom and Dad's. I just love being there with my brothers and their families. We always have so much fun together! Gram was happy to have us all home for Christmas, too.

Ella, Laila, and Lex. These little gals are growing up way too quickly for my liking!

Annual stocking photo. I look so forward to this tradition.

Me, my brothers, and our kiddos. After looking through all our photos from Christmas, this is definitely one of my faves. Every single year growing up, Mom and Dad took a picture of us in this very spot, and now to see us here with our children is so neat! We are very, very blessed.

Cade was excited to find two apples in his stocking! He couldn't believe Santa knew how much he loves apples!

Ella opened a new pair of "danglies" and was thrilled.

Just look at Harper's little face when she saw that sparkly purse! Can't you hear her saying, "Oooooooh!" Love, love, love!

Cade and his new Lightning McQueen guitar. This boy has been asking for that guitar for months. Thanks, Grammy and Pap!

We all got so spoiled, and after breakfast, Chris, Harper, and Cassius were all ready for a nap!

Papaw and the grandkids had some pretty serious discussions about toys, candy, and cartoons.

The afternoon ended with Cade providing the ladies with some musical entertainment. Love the crossed legs here. He looks like a natural!

Thankful for another year of Christmas memories with my family!

All Ella wants for Christmas...

... is her new front teeth!! Ella finally lost her first tooth! Boy, was she excited! She actually pulled it out herself one night (while I was at work! boo!). Chris said she kept talking about how loose it was, and as she was looking at her reflection in the toaster, she just pulled it out! She put in under her pillow for the tooth fairy and got a $5 bill!! Wow! Daddy said the tooth fairy has to account for inflation. =)

Thursday, January 3, 2013

C-A-D-E

I try to carve out some time every 2-3 days to do "preschool work" with Cade. He enjoys our one-on-one time together so much and is working very hard to be a "big preschool boy" next year. =) Ella writes her name on everything and Cade wants so much to do the same, so we've been practicing on that. He wrote this the other day and was sooo proud!