Merry Christmas!

We were very blessed this year that Erich was off work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was fun to have time together at home before we packed up and headed out for our annual "tour of Ohio" to celebrate Christmas with the Piland and Kelley sides of the family. We had a wonderful time in Perrysburg, Stow, and Marysville and I think the girls were in heaven!

Christmas morning we got Avery and Norah up.  When they walk out their bedroom door they are on a landing directly overlooking the living room and they have a great view of the Christmas tree and presents below.  We love capturing their reaction on camera each year.

Before presents we read the story of Jesus birth. When they are older we will read it straight out of the Bible. For now, a board book holds their attention a little better.

Poor Norah got caught opening some presents that were wrapped and hidden in the basement the week before Christmas (thankfully they weren't hers!).  We gave her a stern talking to about "no opening presents!" and I think it traumatized her because from that point on when she was given presents she would look at Erich and I before every gift and say, "Can I open it?".  At least she learned a lesson, but I feel bad that she was afraid to rip off any paper without permission.

Avery's most hoped for and favorite gift - a Merida dress and bow and arrow set (from the Disney Princess movie "Brave").

No babies were harmed in the taking of this picture (and we quickly directed Avery not to point the arrows at people).

Daddy and Paige. Paige slept through much of our Christmas morning festivities but woke up just in time to get her presents at the end (with some help from big sisters to open them).

3 beautiful Piland girls

After spending Christmas morning at home, we packed up and hit the road for Stow, getting there in time for an early Christmas dinner at Aunt Nikki's house. Nikki did a great job hosting and we enjoyed a wonderful meal.  Her house was decorated beautifully and I'm proud to report that none of her decorations were broken by the time we left (I was holding my breath the whole time!)

The girls in their matching Christmas outfits from Aunt Nikki. They were adorable.

No Piland family event is complete without one of Aunt Nikki's famous cakes. The girls thought this one was particularly hilarious... Santa fell down the chimney! Avery ate Santa's legs and feet which were made entirely of frosting. Her teeth were black for the rest of the night.  She thought that was great.

Aunt Sue and Nana reading to Avery and Norah.

The next day we opened gifts at Nana and Papa's. Here's Aunt Nikki helping Avery into her new Sofia the First dress.

Erich caught Norah in a sweet moment singing "Hush Little Baby" to her Baby Izzy.

Daddy and his oldest girls

We were sad that Evan, Passa, Cara, Jacob, and Abigail weren't able to travel to Stow this Christmas.  We had a great time though when everyone gathered around the table to play a game of Rook (a Piland family tradition) and thanks to modern technology (and Nana holding the hand of cards up to the computer camera), Evan was able to play cards with us in Ohio while he was in Texas via webcam.  It was a ton of fun... and he won!

The next morning we left Stow and headed to Marysville to visit the Kelley side of the family.  We barely got into town and I took baby Paige straight over to the nursing home to meet her Great Grandma Staley (Paige Ruth is named after her).  

That night at the house Paige was giving Grandma and Grandpa lots of big smiles

Avery loved Grandpa's train under the tree. Norah was afraid of it, so we didn't run it much.

Avery loved her Princess Tiana dress from Grandma and Grandpa. Merida dress from Santa, Sofia dress from Nana and Papa, Tiana dress from Grandma and Grandpa... are you noticing a theme? The girl loves to dress up!

Norah got her own Pillow Pet and Sleeping Bag (she'd been coveting Avery's for a while) and a Doc McStuffins dress up outfit. Here she is giving her pillow pet a thorough check up.

Paige loves her Sofie the Giraffe teething toy. It's perfect for her little hands to grab.

The next morning we headed to Great Nana K.'s house for a visit. The girls loved that she gave them each candy canes.

Great Grandpa Staley had a fall the day we got into town and spent some time at the hospital. One afternoon Erich took Paige to the hospital so he could meet her and they had a great visit.

On our last night in town we went to the Upton house where we had a wonderful dinner with the Uptons, the Kelleys, and Grandma and Grandpa to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. Avery and Norah had a great time playing with all of their cousins and they especially loved seeing Spencer, Karly, and Oliver's Christmas presents... a guinea pig named Reece and two hamsters named Kevin and Marshmallow.  They were the hit of the evening!

Norah didn't want to go home. She wanted to spend more time with "the fuzzy fuzzies"... the new pets.  

As another year comes to a close, it's fun to look back and reflect on all of the changes and happenings that took place in our lives.  Of course, the biggest joy of all was the arrival of our darling baby Paige.  We praise God for that little bundle who has blessed us so greatly.  We welcome 2014 with open arms and can't wait to see what is in store for our family!