Elf on the Shelf

"Happy" (our "Elf on the Shelf") became really good friends with Uncle Danny this year. So much so that today Uncle Danny sent me a video that Happy made of his last night here at the house before he returned to the North Pole.

One thing I learned from watching this -- Happy is one bad elf!!

Merry Christmas!

Our family Christmas portrait for 2012

(left to right: Zoe, Ryan, Devan, Sydney)

Christmas morning - before any presents were opened!

Zoe was thrilled with EVERY gift (even Sydney's!)

Sydney loves Santa for bringing her Belle's tea set, which includes Mrs. Potts and Chip!

Apparently, a still unwrapped present in one hand was not enough for Sydney, who was waiting for Zoe and Daddy to hand her more.

Christmas carnage!  (Wrapping paper is everywhere in the house.  I even found some in the bathroom this morning.)

Zoe

Syd has a knack for making incredibly goofy faces.

Nothing to see here Mommy.  NOTHING to see here.  (Syd was peeking at one of Zoe's presents.)

... still opening ...

... still opening ...

GP is awesome!  We love the pictures of Forrest!

This is the face Zoe makes when we ask her to use her "pretty smile".  (And, yes, her nightgown is on backwards.  Whenever one of us pointed it out, she would explain that she likes it better that way.)

Sydney woke up Uncle Dan and Aunt Liz after we heard stomping on the roof and sleigh bells.

Thank goodness Aunt Liz and Uncle Dan brought presents too! (Seriously.  What if Santa didn't bring enough?)

Sydney peeking out of "Platform 9 & 3/4"

Platform 9 & 3/4 (hand stamped with a kitchen sponge!)

Pop Pops & Zoe

My cousin Joey with Santa

Joey checking out the ladies!

Sydney with her singing Aurora doll and new cabbage patch twin (Sophie Tori)

Zoe and Sydney with their twin cabbage patch dolls

Syd & Santa

Zoe!

Addie got an easy bake oven for Christmas!

Bruce got a cool new digital camera

Ganner (aka GaGa) with Millie

Millie was pretty darn cute for her first Christmas.

It's hard being an Aunt and taking pictures of my nieces ... not!

Millie & Mommy

Uh oh!  She found me!

Ganner/GaGa/Nana/Grandma after finding out some wonderful news. 

Granny/Mema/GiGi after finding out some wonderful news as well.

On the phone with the bearer of wonderful news.

Pop Pops, Zoe & Sydney

Millie, Ganner, Addie

Mille chatting with Ganner

She's cute.  'Nuff said.

Watching "Horton Hears a Who"

Firefighter Santa with "Happy" (our Elf on the Shelf)

Ryan preparing to cut down our Christmas Tree at Evergreen Acres.

Christmas tree hay ride!

Pretty Zoe

Sydney

Zoe

Twincesses tangled in lights!

Family portrait with GaGa!