Merry Christmas 2011!

Tomorrow is the last day of my WONDERFUL two week vacation from work and let me tell you I will be sad to go back. This last trimester has really slowed me down, and I truly enjoyed being home with Isabel and taking it easy. Okay.. we didn't exactly take it EASY but we had a lot of fun celebrating the holidays and spending time as a whole family (Jason was off for a good part of my vacation too.) Here are some of my favorite pictures from the past two weeks.

YaYa and I took the girls to "Kids Play World" one morning and they had a good time running around, trying out new toys and dressing up.

Princess Bel

Payton loved driving

Both girls liked the "dance party" room!

We all went out to dinner at Jurin for Jason's birthday-- princess Bel got dressed up for the occasion.

 Poor Jason--- his birthday is so close to Christmas. We always try to make sure that we have a separate celebration. He deserves it! What a great dad and husband :)

Ice cream cake--- yes please!

On Christmas Eve Eve we headed off to church with the Leppins and met my family there.

(Woo! Check out that bump... getting pretty big!)

Bel loves her Grandma and Grandpa Leppin

and after much waiting... Christmas Eve finally arrived! Do you think Isabel was excited?

Maybe Daddy was excited too?

Fun with some of my favorite people...

Aunt Mimi and Uncle Zack

Mom and Dad

Time for presents!

 We were very spoiled... even Lucy!!

Mandy's chocolate fountain---- DANGEROUS!

 Christmas is magical with little ones around!

These two cuties were off to bed fairly early so Santa could come.

And he was very good to us all this year!

Isabel with "Angelina Ballerina"

... and here she is taking a picture of ME taking a picture of HER

and my gift--- I love it. (Finished two books already :) Thanks Jason!

and then we were off to the Leppin's house for more food, presents and fun!

Grandma and Grandpa SPOILED our little ones....

Isabel's aunts from Arkansas sent her lots of gifts too-- she was one lucky girl!

and from Grandma and Grandpa--- an AWESOME train table!

Luckily, Dad had help putting it together.

And after the holidays.... we had more time to play with friends, do some organizational projects around the house, and get things ready for Lucy.

The girls having fun together

Dress up and tea party!

Jacqueline and Isabel taking time out for a snack.

So............ it has been a full two weeks of relaxing and fun with family and now it is coming to a close. It feels a little like the calm before the storm because I know as soon as I head back to work this week things are going to accelerate. I have a lot of work obligations and things to prepare before my maternity leave-- not to mention weekly doctor's appointments now.. and in just a few short weeks --Lucy arrives (and I'm guessing things won't slow down then  for quite a while :) So, I am thankful for the time I have had off and a little anxious about what is to come. We will keep you all posted-- Merry Christmas!