'Twas the night before Christmas

 On Christmas eve we celebrated with my family and enjoyed prime rib, the nativity, the traditional Christmas pinata, and a special visit from Santa! Since baby Hank got sad during the nativity, June stepped in to play the role of baby Jesus- she loved being the center of attention and receiving gifts from her cousins of gold, frankincense, and mire. 

 Mrs. Clause comes on Christmas eve which is an extra special treat.

 The girls first gift was their dolls from grandma, and Santa gave them some really cute Christmas board books that light up and play Christmas music.

 Looking at grandma's beautiful tree.

 We got home from the party and put the girls in bed, we were tired but the night was young for parents everywhere and it was our first time getting to coordinate with Santa to make the Christmas magic happen!

 dollies.

 gingerbread house.

 cookies & milk.

meeting santa (we KNOW him!)

 

Going to meet Santa. Such an epic event that every parent looks forward to. It's one of those parental moments you dream about, and it really was fun! :) As usual we made sure to err on the side of being over the top in order to ensure the girls had the best experience-they met Santa a total of 4 times. (In all fairness 3 were just coincidence.)

SANTA #1 

 A darling Santa at Disneyland, but this didn't count of course because it was in November.

They were totally intrigued by him though, they said they'd keep their eye out for him next month.

SANTA #2

 

We headed over to officially meet Santa in December near our house, Mr. real beard Santa was very nice.

 

But as soon as June saw who was holding her she was not a fan of old St. Nick.

Lyla was all like, "what's up with that?" She kept hugging him & staring at him.  

But they got along before they met eyes.

SANTA #3

We just happened to run into this free Santa and let me tell you- third times the charm! This was the REAL Santa, I believe in him. Definitely not one of his helpers.

 Would anyone but the real Santa sweetly quiet baby Lyla like that? Nope.

 Or comfort terrified baby June so sweetly? I think not.

 It was magical.

 Totally worth the cold wait in line...

 At least there was pretty views.

SANTA #4

And then at my family party on Christmas Eve Santa came again to give all the little ones their first Christmas gift.

 June was beginning to warm back up to Mr. Clause by Christmas Eve, she could taste the presents.

 And Lyla was as comfortable as ever.
It's fun seeing that magical little relationship of your kids with Santa begin to develop. They had so many chances to get to know him this year, hopefully they'll feel like old friends by next Christmas... ;)

Christmas memories

 Christmas with babies was absolute magic, I'll share about Christmas morning later, but here are a few pictures after we decorated the tree.

 They loved playing with Christmas bells.

And every morning the first place they'd go is to the Christmas tree. They'd climb up on the presents and look at all the adorned branches. It kinda makes me sad thinking about it...we should keep a fresh tree in the house year round. lol.

 The Hagens were sending out a sports-themed Christmas card so these were a couple of pictures we took for that.

 Daddy and his girls.

 This is one of my favorites: June's adorable stare, Lyla's sweet yawn, and proud daddy's smile.

December from an iphone

You will be bombarded with several pics from my iphone, once I upload them. Prepare yourself.

santa's little helpers

When you have twin babies, elf hats, and find some clearance elf onesies certain things have to happen.

10 months

 I really did write this a month ago...

I cannot believe the girls are 10 months old! Whenever I write these posts I'm reminded of a comedy skit we saw where the person was making fun of parents talking about there kids age and saying, can you believe it? She said, I'm tempted to write back, "She's in kindergarten, she was born a few years back, seems about right. yes i believe it. she's growing up and following the natural progression of life? seems about right, I believe it. if you told me she never grew up and was a tiny baby still after all these years, then i'd say, send more pictures, i don't believe it!
So I guess they are just following the normal pattern of growing, but watching your little baby change so fast is incredible, but sad too- and for some reason shocking! I like being the mother of twin babies. I'm not ready to be the mom of 2 adult children (ironic name, but it's how I see it in my head).

Lyla,
You are officially an adult. I know you're only 10 months old, but you had a big tooth pop down up top and 3 followed right after, now you've got a mouth full of 6 teeth! I haven't been able to get a picture of it, in fact, I haven't really tried because it makes me sad thinking about how you are changing from a little baby into something else...like a child. You really want to walk also, per doctor's orders we set you down when you're standing and try not to encourage it. Next month we're gonna let you go though! You have been pretty hilarious. One of your new favorite things to do is bang your arms (and enrite body) incredibly hard on our big TV, like you're going to break it. We quickly whisk you away which makes you laugh your head off every time. You're a sweet little thing, I love you!
Mama

June,
One of your favorite tricks is clapping- if we clap you clap. If we wave, you clap. If we snap, you clap. :) If your standing you'll sit down to show off your trick. You've even tried to clap one handed while balancing on one hand sitting, which was hilarious to watch. Lyla fights back more from all your toy snatching, but you don't handle it as well, you cry like a baby (I wonder why?) whenever she steals a toy from you. You really love poking eyes with your little pointer finger, its the first thing you go after on everyone, including your new doll. You have your little fangs coming down up top which will make 4 total teeth for you. Even after all the new toys you got for Christmas your favorite "toy" is the container of nose drops I've been giving you and your sister, if I don't have two of them out you fight over it like mad. You can balance really good, I'm expecting you and your sister will be taking steps in January. You're as darling as ever.
Love,
Mama